Bachelor of Science-Kinesiology

Kinesiology is the study of human movement and physical activity as well as the overlapping mechanisms of human biomechanical, physiological, and psychological function.  The Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at A&M-Texarkana allows students to study human movement and physical activity and focuses on addressing human health problems associated with human performance, physical rehabilitation, and sport and exercise psychology.  The program prepares students for careers in clinical, fitness, or educational settings or in research and industrial environments with population groups including athletes, children, and the elderly, and with persons with disability, injury, or disease. 

Kinesiology Tracks

Teacher Certification

Undergraduate Courses in Kinesiology

KINE 1301. Foundations of Kinesiology. 3 Hours.

This course explores the broad spectrum of kinesiology as an academic discipline, fundamental concepts of movement, and physical activity. Specifically, this course is an introduction to the fundamental principles of human movement and their relationship to fitness and activity. The class also introduces students to the subdisciplines of Kinesiology that relate to Sport Psychology/Sociology, Motor Behavior/Motor Learning, Biomechanics, Exercise Physiology, Sport History, and Sport Pedagogy. The course is intended for entry-level students with career interests in human movement as it relates to motor performance, physical fitness, and sport-related activity.

KINE 1354. Concepts of Physical Activity. 3 Hours.

This course emphasizes the fundamental concepts of physical activity with a focus on the relationships of health, fitness, exercises, and athletic performance. Topics include information related to the need for continuing physical activity and its contribution to well-being, including procedures for assessing fitness levels in the various components of physical fitness and techniques used in developing physical fitness and optimal lifelong health and wellness among students. Physical activity is required.

KINE 2350. Physical Activity Skills I: Conditioning, Individual, and Dual Sports. 3 Hours.

The purpose of this course is to develop the techniques for sports conditioning and fundamental skills used in teaching individual/dual sports, recreational, and physical fitness activities. This course also focuses on the various stages of game skills development for a variety of activities. Physical participation is required.

KINE 2351. Physical Activity Skills II: Team Sports. 3 Hours.

The purpose of this course is to develop the techniques utilized in fundamental skills for team sports. Emphasis will be on developing the basic skills through observation, participation, and analysis of movement patterns appropriate for various skill levels. Students will be introduced to the basic skills of the selected team sports. Teaching considerations will be introduced throughout the semester regarding the instruction of team sports in physical education settings. Physical participation is required.

KINE 289. Individual Study. 1-4 Hours.

This course provides individual instruction. Students may repeat the course when topics vary.

KINE 314. Teaching Methods in Physical Education I. 3 Hours.

A study of the movement approach to teaching physical education to elementary children with emphasis on developing content and methodology, teaching theories, and practices related to the learning of children's movement skills are discussed. Contents include the scientific basis for motor skill performance, curricular organization, and pedagogical methodology related to the elementary school physical education program. Students will engage in pre-practicum experience with children in an on-campus setting, focusing on improving teaching strategies and curriculum and teaching material development. Prerequisite: Junior/Senior standing.

KINE 315. Teaching Methods in Physical Education II. 3 Hours.

This is a course designed to enable the student to learn the processes of movements and skill acquisition of students in middle/secondary schools. Using state standards, it provides information related to curriculum selection and implementation of middle/secondary public school physical education programs. Students will demonstrate competencies in presentations utilizing various instructional strategies. Prerequisite: KINE 314 and Junior/Senior standing.

KINE 316. Administration of Kinesiology and Sports Programs. 3 Hours.

This course provides students with an understanding of the complexity involved in sport facility, event, and program management. An integrated study of the administration of traditional and contemporary kinesiology and athletic programs will be discussed. Philosophies and principles of the administration of kinesiology and athletic programs are applied to important areas such as personnel policies, leadership, facilities, equipment, record keeping, finance, legal implications, and program promotion. Credit cannot be received for both KINE 316 and KINE 332. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing.

KINE 325. Exercise and Sport Psychology. 3 Hours.

This course is designed to give students an introduction to the important issues within the field of sports and exercise psychology. Students will obtain knowledge of theories, concepts, and intervention techniques of sport and exercises psychology. Topics covered will include the history of sport psychology, behavioral principles, anxiety and motivation theory applied to sport, team dynamics, psychological skills training, the psychology of sport injury, and psychological factors that can affect performance in sport, physical education, and exercise settings. In addition, students will be taught about psychological strategies and techniques that can be applied to prevent or enhance the impact of psychological and emotional factors in an exercise and sport context. Prerequisite: Junior status or instructor approval.

KINE 331. Motor Development. 3 Hours.

This course focuses on human motor development including motor pattern characteristics, human growth, perceptual motor development, and fitness development across the lifespan. Socio-cultural influences on motor development will also be discussed. Theories and models of motor development are also featured in this course. Topics include physical factors that influence growth, maturation, and aging, process underlying perceptual-motor performance, and the interpretation and applications of motor research to human movement. The course will engage students through lecture, laboratory work, and problem-based learning activities. Prerequisite: Junior standing.

KINE 332. Program Development/Management in Fitness Industries. 3 Hours.

This course provides students with skills needed to develop, implement, and manage programs in fitness industry. Emphasis will be placed on the knowledge and strategies essential to the development of successful health and fitness programs. The course also provides an overview of the principles and practices of promotions and marketing in corporate, commercial, and institutional fitness industry. Topics include sport marketing planning, market segmentation, and identification of target market, motivational techniques, and administrative considerations. Cross-listed with KINE 316. Credit cannot be received for both KINE 316 and KINE 332. Prerequisites: Junior standing.

KINE 334. Test and Measurement in Kinesiology. 3 Hours.

This course is designed to provide students with the basic concepts in statistics, measurement, and evaluation in the physical education and exercise sciences. The course incorporates the application and interpretation of descriptive and inferential statistics for quantitative research, school grading, and children's fitness evaluation. Students will utilize computer based statistical programs for statistics analysis. In addition, knowledge of general considerations for test selection, construction, and evaluation will also be covered. The course will engage students through lecture and laboratory experiences. Prerequisite: Junior standing.

KINE 343. Exercise Physiology. 4 Hours.

This course studies physiological responses and adaptations to acute and chronic bouts of exercise with an emphasis on training techniques and enhanced physical performance. Topics include aerobic and anaerobic energy sources for muscular activity, physiology of muscle contraction, strength, and flexibility. The role of nervous system control of muscular activity will be explored along with pulmonary and circulatory physiology, gas exchange and transport, body composition, and weight control, as well as pediatric exercise physiology. Physiological effects of various physical activites on the human body will also be addressed. The course will engage students through lecture, laboratory experiences, and problem-based learning activities. Prerequisite: BIOL 2401 and Junior standing.

KINE 431. Introduction to Kinesiology Research Methods. 3 Hours.

This course is designed to familiarize students with major research methods that are applicable to health, physical education, and sports science. Research design, data collection, analysis, validity, research procedures, and report writing will be covered. The course satisfies both the laboratory requirement for sports science and physical education experience. Knowledge acquired in this course will assist students in understanding the nature of the research process and various types of research methods. Students will develop the skills necessary for conducting a research project in health, physical education, and sports science. The format of the course will be a mixture of lecture, discussion, reading, and writing. Students are expected to be able to use various research methods to successfully complete a small individual or group research project. Prerequisite: Junior standing.

KINE 432. Kinesiology and Biomechanics. 3 Hours.

This course will equip participants with knowledge of the essential mechanical concepts and principles that govern human movement within a context of physical education and sports science. Through lecture, laboratory experience, problem-solving activities, and other forms of learning in and outside the classroom, students will acquire practical biomechanical knowledge through the integration between the mechanical principles and the efficiency of human movement and interrelationships of biomechanics, musculoskeletal anatomy, and neuromuscular physiology. Prerequisite: BIOL 2401 and BIOL 2402.

KINE 435. Exercise and Chronic Diseases. 3 Hours.

This course is designed to study individuals with chronic and acute health problems that interfere with participating in physical education and leisure activities. Special exercise testing and exercise program design/implementation considerations for individuals with common chronic diseases and disabilities will be discussed. Basic pathophysiologies of various chronic diseases will be explored and studied. Prerequisite: KINE 343.

KINE 436. Motor Skills for Special Populations. 3 Hours.

This is an experiential course designed to introduce students to the world of adapted physical activity, leisure, and sports for individuals with special needs. Students will gain an overview of the various sports, recreational, and physical activities available in kinesiology setting. Students will be introduced to the basic theoretical and practical knowledge for adapting activities/equipment appropriately to meet the unique needs of a variety of special populations. Principles, guidelines and strategies for motor skill, and activity instruction will be gleaned through hands-on participation, class discussions, and individual/group project. Practical considerations for conducting motor skills programs for individuals of all ages with disabilities will also be included.

KINE 437. Internship in Kinesiology (EL). 3 Hours.

The student internship is designed to help students to integrate and apply the knowledge and skills they have gained in earlier stages of the program to the real-life workplace environment and requirements. As an important learning experience, students will be expected to engage in reflection and analysis on their internship experience with regard to kinesiology and sports science. The internship provides practical experience of the challenges faced in the workplace and will assist students in making decisions regarding their career path. The students and the university supervisors will develop a contractual agreement which provides for a minimum of 120 clock hours of specific learning experiences on or off campus. Prerequisite: Senior standing.

KINE 443. Exercise Testing and Prescription. 4 Hours.

This course provides the knowledge of how to assess aerobic capacity, cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, body fat, pulmonary function, and blood pressure and evaluate the results. Emphasis is placed on design and implementation of exercise programs for healthy and special popluations based upon appropriate screening and evaluation procedures. The application of both laboratory and field-based tests will be covered in lectures and laboratories. The theory and practice of designing individualized and group exercise prescription is covered. The course includes clinical observation and laboratory experiences. Prerequisite: KINE 343.

KINE 489. Individual Study. 1-4 Hours.

This course provides individual instruction. Students may repeat the course when topics vary.