Human Biology and Kinesiology
Human Biology and Kinesiology Website
Associate Professor BULL (Chair); Assistant Professor MURPHY; Senior Lecturer MISKA; Visiting Instructors GIBBS, 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
Effective academic year 2024-25 anyone declaring a Human Biology and Kinesiology minor will be under the following requirements.
A minimum of five units of HK designated course work satisfying the following requirements are required to complete the Human Biology and Kinesiology minor.
- HK130, Fundamentals of Kinesiology
- HK104, Anatomy of Human Movement OR HK204, Introduction to Human Anatomy
- At least two units of any 300-level or above HK designated course, including but not limited to HK304, Advanced Human Anatomy, HK317, Biomechanics, HK321, Human Physiology, or HK330, Exercise Physiology.
- Any one additional unit with the HK designation, including any additional credits from the above lists. A maximum of 1 unit from the HK113/HK114 EMT series can apply toward the minor.
Students who declared a Human Biology and Kinesiology minor prior to the academic year 2024-25 will remain under the following 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. Effective after 2024-25, these are the new requirements for anyone declaring the minor.
Courses
Human Biology and Kinesiology
(Not offered 2025-26).
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. 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.
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.
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 2025-26).
Courses under this rubric will vary year to year. (Not offered 2025-26).
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. Meets the Critical Learning: SA 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. (Not offered 2025-26).
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 2025-26).
This lecture and laboratory course provides a comprehensive introduction to human anatomy, focusing on key concepts across major organ systems. The course emphasizes regional studies of the human body, equipping students with essential knowledge for graduate studies and allied health professions. Prosected cadavers will support laboratory learning; however, students will not engage in dissection themselves. This course serves as a prerequisite for more advanced human anatomy courses that include dissection, as well as human physiology courses.
Courses under this title will vary year to year.
Examination of the cellular-level anatomy and physiology of skeletal muscle, and the acute and chronic physiological adaptations of resistance training on skeletal muscle. In addition, resistance training program design based on empirical research will be examined. Emphasis is placed on how resistance training program design can alter physiological function and bring about specific physiological adaptations. (Not offered 2025-26).
Faculty-directed research projects based on library and/or laboratory investigations. Designed for students seeking an initial experience with human-based kinesiology projects.
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 2025-26).
This lab-based dissection course provides students with a detailed exploration of human anatomy, emphasizing the structure and function of major organ systems through cross-sectional analysis. Tailored for those pursuing graduate studies or careers in allied health fields, the course offers a comprehensive understanding of human body systems, with a strong focus on hands-on, experiential learning.
This lab-based dissection course provides students with a detailed exploration of human anatomy, with emphasis on the structure and function of selected synovial joints of the human body. Tailored for those pursuing graduate studies or careers in allied health fields, this course stresses hands-on, experiential learning.
This lab-based dissection course provides students with a detailed exploration of human anatomy, with emphasis on the structures of the head and neck. Tailored for those pursuing graduate studies or careers in allied health fields, this course stresses hands-on, experiential learning. (Not offered 2025-26).
A project-based course designed to allow students an immersive research experience and exposure to common methodologies in the field of Biomechanics. Students will develop and execute methodologies to answer biomechanical questions after establishing a background of kinetics and kinematics including basic physics principles, human gait, balance, jump, and movement pattern analysis. Students should plan on afternoon availability in weeks 2 and 3. Meets the Critical Learning: CP requirement.
Courses under this title will vary year to year.
This course provides an integrative approach to understanding physiological processes and relationships of major organ systems in the human body at rest. This course emphasizes cellular signaling and the following systems: endocrine, autonomic nervous, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and renal. The format of the course is lecture and laboratory based. This course serves as a prerequisite for HK330.
Examination of cellular bioenergetics and the adaptation of the nervous, muscular, circulatory, respiratory, and endocrine systems to acute and chronic physical activity. Special topics such as temperature regulation during physical activity, physical activity at altitude, acid/base balance during physical activity, and fatigue thresholds may be discussed. Laboratory sessions may include body composition assessment techniques, anaerobic power and capacity assessment, oxygen consumption, caloric expenditure and pulmonary measurement and estimation during submaximal and maximal activity, and/or muscular endurance, strength, and power assessment. Meets the Critical Perspectives: Scientific Investigation of the Natural World lab or field requirement. Meets the Critical Perspectives: Quantitative Reasoning requirement.
(Summer only 2025-26).
Faculty-directed research projects based on laboratory or field-based investigations. Designed for students seeking advanced experience with human-based kinesiology projects involving study design, data collection, data analysis, presentation, and/or manuscript writing.
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 2025-26).
A project-based course designed to allow students an immersive research experience and additional exposure to common and advanced methodologies in the field of exercise physiology. Students will develop methodologies to answer descriptive or acute physiology-based questions and, after applying for and receiving Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, collect and analyze data related to the research questions. Students should plan for afternoon availability, especially in weeks one through three, for project development, data collection and analyses, and compilation of findings. Students will present their research either in class, to another course, and/ or at a professional meeting. Meets the Critical Perspectives: Scientific Investigation of the Natural World lab or field requirement. (Not offered 2025-26).