Human Biology and Kinesiology
Human Biology and Kinesiology Website
Associate Professor BULL (Chair); Assistant Professor MURPHY; Senior Lecturer MISKA; Visiting Assistant Professor WEISSMULLER
The Department of Human Biology and Kinesiology is committed to increasing students' knowledge of the structure and function of the human body through our applied courses including biomechanics, human anatomy, human physiology, exercise physiology, and human nutrition. All of our courses include hands-on experiences and/or student centered data analysis, which allows students to explore how course topics are relevant in their own lives and society. We aim to increase opportunities for students through integrative teaching in our anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics labs, through our integration with departments throughout the college, through offered research experiences, through opportunities to attend regional and national conferences, and through our international seminar course which explores health and physical activity research across the Nordic countries. Combining our courses with others throughout the college, students may garner a broad background of how their body functions and adapts and/or fulfill prerequisite requirements for graduate work in kinesiology, exercise or sport science, or health professions.
Currently the department does not offer a major, but is dedicated to supporting students in achieving their academic goals by offering a minor. See the Minor Requirements tab for more details.
Minor Requirements
5 units of courses in human biology and kinesiology including the core courses of:
HK204 – Introduction to Human Anatomy
HK321 – Human Physiology
HK330 – Exercise Physiology
And any two additional units in human biology and kinesiology, including:
HK104 - Anatomy of Movement
HK125 – Introduction to Human Nutrition
HK130 - Fundamentals of Kinesiology
HK151 - Biophysics: Physics and Living Things
HK260 - Human Biology and Kinesiology Seminar (may be taught off campus or internationally)
HK304 – Advanced Human Anatomy
HK306 – Advanced Joint Anatomy
HK317 - Biomechanics
HK350 - Investigations in Human Biology and Kinesiology (independent research with COI)
HK354 – Advanced Head and Neck Anatomy
HK430 – Advanced Exercise Physiology
HK354 – Advanced Head and Neck Anatomy (0.5 unit), HK306 – Advanced Joint Anatomy (0.5 unit), and GS113 - EMT Basic (0.5 unit); two of these 0.5 unit courses must both be taken to equal one unit for the HBK minor.
Courses
Human Biology and Kinesiology
(Not offered 2023-24).
Introduces the structure and function of the musculoskeletal system, using resistance training as a model for understanding anatomy. Special emphasis placed on inclusivity of all bodies in the context of health, illness, and adaptive strategies.
A half-block or semester-long extended-format course including lecture, laboratory, and clinical observation. The course includes, but is not limited to, the history, legal aspects, safe practices, terminology, and basic anatomy and physiology related to emergency care, physical assessment, and systems of Emergency Medical and Trauma Services (EMS). When taught as an extended format course, will meet one night per week for 3 hours. No class during block breaks. In order to qualify to sit for the state EMT examination, this course must be taken in addition to HK114, Advanced EMT. The Department strongly recommends that HK113 and HK114 are taken consecutively or, if HK113 is taught as an extended format course, concurrently. Clinical observation requirements: Copy of valid driver's license or birth certificate; Proof of Current (TB) Tuberculosis Test (PPD Test) within the last six months; Proof of Varicella (Chicken Pox) vaccination/exposure; Proof of Hep-stat (Hepatitis B) series, influenza and COVID vaccinations, and background check. (Not offered 2023-24).
An examination of the anatomical, physiological, and pathophysiological aspects of emergency and trauma scenarios, with emphasis on advanced topics and emergency skill acquisition. The course includes lectures, laboratories, and clinical observations, including but not limited to emergency assessment, airway management, cardiopulmonary emergencies, cardiovascular emergencies, shock, childbirth emergencies, environmental emergencies including a section on wilderness medicine, psychological aspects of emergency care and Emergency Medical and Trauma Services (EMS). Successful completion of this course, and its prerequisite HK113, qualifies the student to sit for the state EMT exam. The Department strongly recommends that HK113 and HK114 are taken consecutively or, if HK113 is taught as an extended format course, concurrently. Clinical observation requirements: Copy of valid driver's license or birth certificate; Proof of Current (TB) Tuberculosis Test (PPD Test) within the last six months; Proof of Varicella (Chicken Pox) vaccination/exposure; Proof of Hep-stat (Hepatitis B) series, influenza and COVID vaccinations, and background check. (Not offered 2023-24).
Designed to meet the needs of students interested in health fields, this course will help students gain an understanding of the structure and function of the human body. The course will include regional study of the major organ systems through the use of clinical case discussions and clinical assessments. (Summer only 2023-24).
Courses under this rubric will vary year to year.
Investigation of the structure, digestion, storage, utilization, and bioenergetics of macronutrients (carbohydrate, protein, fat). Suggested intake, and sources of macronutrients, micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), and water in maintaining normal physiological function are examined. Topics related to energy balance and nutrition for physical activity and recovery are also discussed. Meets the Critical Perspectives: Scientific Investigation of the Natural World requirement. Meets the Equity and Power: EPUS requirement.
Examination of basic human anatomy, movement, exercise physiology, physiological adaptation, exercise program design, and links between physical activity, health, and performance. Laboratory sessions include measurement of physiological responses to physical activity, performance evaluation, and the estimation of aerobic power, anaerobic power, and body composition. Parameters such as work, power, velocity, and energy expenditure in humans will also be calculated. 1 unit. Meets the Critical Perspectives: Scientific Investigation of the Natural World lab or field requirement. Meets the Critical Perspectives: Quantitative Reasoning requirement.
How physical principles apply to living things. Some examples of the kinds of topics to be discussed are muscle action, running, jumping, flying, circulation of blood, keeping warm, keeping cool, nerve action, hearing, and seeing. Meets the Critical Perspectives: Scientific Investigation of the Natural World requirement. Meets the Critical Perspectives: Quantitative Reasoning requirement.
An investigation into the effects of competitive and recreational physical activity upon the human individual. Major topics include an overview of exercise and sport as a cause of injury and disease, the prevention, recognition and management of injury as related to the recreationalist/competitor, and the physiological parameters of exercise as related to carry-over and lifestyle. (Not offered 2023-24).
A lecture and cadaver based laboratory course designed to help students gain an understanding of the fundamental concepts of human anatomy. Include the examination of skeletal, muscular, nervous, circulatory, respiratory, and digestive structures. Does not involve dissection.
Examination of the acute and long-term physiological effects of resistance training are examined. Emphasis is placed on how the acute and long-term effects alter physiological function and how this information can help in developing resistance-training sessions to bring about specific physiological adaptations. (Not offered 2023-24).
(Summer only 2023-24).
Examination of current research in kinesiology, exercise physiology, and health. Empirical studies serve as the basis for discussions of research topics and the examination of methods utilized in kinesiology. May be offered on-campus, domestically off-campus, internationally, or a combination of these in order to visit laboratories conducting research in kinesiology and related fields. Presentations provided by departmental faculty and guest researchers when off-campus. Extra expense when taught off-campus or internationally. (Not offered 2023-24).
A laboratory based human cadaver dissection course designed to help students gain an advanced understanding of the structures of the human body and to develop the skills of cadaver dissection. Students also examine clinical case studies and the history of research in anatomical science.
A laboratory based human cadaver dissection course designed to help students gain an advanced understanding of selected joints of the human body and to develop the skills of human cadaver dissection.
Investigation of biomechanics, emphasizing human movement analysis, corresponding methods, and application for various levels of movement. Focus on foundations of biomechanics, including basic physics principles and mathematical applications, evolving to exposure of gait, balance, jump analysis, among other movement patterns.
Provides an integrative approach to understanding normal physiological relationships of major organ systems in the human body through lectures and laboratory experiences. Information is presented from the cellular to the organismal level. Designed to meet the needs of students interested in pre and allied health fields when taken in conjunction with HK204.
Examination of cellular bioenergetics and the adaption of the nervous, muscular, circulatory, respiratory, and endocrine systems to acute and chronic physical activity. Special topics such as temperature regulation, acid/base balance, and fatigue thresholds may be discussed. Laboratory sessions include advanced physiological testing of students. Body composition assessment techniques are also examined. Meets the Critical Perspectives: Scientific Investigation of the Natural World lab or field requirement. Meets the Critical Perspectives: Quantitative Reasoning requirement.
(Summer only 2023-24).
Independent research projects based on library and/or laboratory investigations. Designed for advanced students seeking an independent or departmental minor in Human Biology and Kinesiology.
A laboratory based human cadaver dissection course designed to help students gain an advanced understanding of the structures of the head and neck and to develop the skills of human cadaver dissection. (Not offered 2023-24).
Students present research and participate in discussions on self-selected research in kinesiology. Advanced examination and experience with common laboratory techniques to estimate oxygen consumption and caloric expenditure rates; anaerobic power, capacity, and thresholds; and body composition. May include visits to local human performance labs and/or field investigations. Meets the Critical Perspectives: Scientific Investigation of the Natural World lab or field requirement. (Not offered 2023-24).