UPEI's kinesiology program explores human development and movement from a number of lenses. For example, the physical, psychological, and social experiences of sport and physical activity are investigated to provide students with a holistic view of how they affect human development.
Are you interested in sport, physical activity, and wellness? Would you like to work with children, adults and seniors and help them become and remain physically active? If so, a degree in kinesiology may be an appropriate undertaking for you.
Within the kinesiology degree, students take courses in areas including (but not limited to) sport psychology, exercise physiology, biomechanics of sport and physical activity, motor learning and control, human development, and research methods. Students interested in international study opportunities should contact their faculty advisor and check potential exchange opportunities well ahead of time.
Upon degree completion, students will have the ability to apply their knowledge to a number of fields or have can continue their studies in fields such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and education. In addition, graduate studies in any of the sub-disciplines of kinesiology are possible for interested students.
Meet Donovan Wyand, fourth-year Kinesiology student
Fourth-year student and Panther athlete Donovan Wyand talks about his experience in UPEI's kinesiology program.
Need more information about Kinesiology?
The personal information requested on this form is collected under Section 31(c) of the PEI Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Read our Disclaimer.
Note: Current UPEI students should refer to Student Planning in myUPEI and the UPEI Academic Calendar governing their entry year, and speak to an academic advisor about course requirements. The course structure presented for this program is a recommended, unofficial progression for prospective students.
Note: As per Academic Regulation 1h, all undergraduate degree programs require successful completion of IKE-1040 (new for students beginning or returning after re-application in Fall 2022); one of UPEI-1010, UPEI-1020, or UPEI-1030, and a Writing Intensive Course.
The Honours program in Kinesiology is designed to provide research experience at the undergraduate level within the BSc Program. It is available to students with a strong academic background who intend to continue studies at the post graduate level in Kinesiology or related field, or to students who intend to pursue a career where research experience would be an asset.
The Honours program differs from the major in requiring a two-semester research course with thesis report for a total of 126 semester hours for the degree. The research component is to be completed within the BSc program through completion of Kinesiology 4900: Advanced Research and Thesis.
The following are the course requirements for the Honours program in Kinesiology.
Year One
- Kinesiology 1010 – Introduction to Kinesiology
- Biology 1210 – Human Anatomy
- Biology 1220 – Human Physiology
- Chemistry 1110 – General Chemistry I
- Chemistry 1120 – General Chemistry II
- One of UPEI 1010, 1020 or 1030
- Math 1120 – Calculus for the Managerial, Social and Life Sciences
- Psychology 1010 – Introductory Psychology I
- Psychology 1020 – Introductory Psychology II
- IKE 1040 – Indigenous Teachings
Year Two
- Kinesiology 2020 – Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology
- Kinesiology 2210 – Introduction to Exercise Physiology
- Kinesiology 2320 – Introduction to Motor Learning and Control
- Kinesiology 2510 – Anatomical Kinesiology
- Kinesiology 2620 – Introduction to the Sociology of Sport and Exercise
- Foods and Nutrition 2110 – Introductory Nutrition I
- Foods and Nutrition 2120 – Introductory Nutrition II
- Biology 1310 – Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology
- Statistics 1210 – Introductory Statistics
- Physics 1210 – Physics for Life Sciences I
Year Three
- Kinesiology 3120 – Introduction to Biomechanics
- Kinesiology 3310 – Introduction to Research Methods
- Kinesiology 3410 – Human Motor Development
- Kinesiology 3430 – Physiological Assessment and Training
- Kinesiology 3530 – Exercise Techniques and Prescription for Resistance Training
- Two Kinesiology electives at the 3000 or 4000 level
- One Humanities elective
- Two free electives
Year Four
- Kinesiology 4810 – Analysis of Human Movement
- Kinesiology 4900 – Advanced Research and Thesis
- Four (4) Kinesiology electives at the 3000 or 4000 level
- Three free electives
Note: Honours students are advised to consult with their advisor for assistance in choosing electives that will support their research project.
Entrance Requirements
For admission to the Honours program, students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all Kinesiology courses combined and an overall GPA of 2.7 in all previous courses. Permission of the Department is also required and is contingent on the student finding an advisor and on acceptance of the research project by the Department of Applied Human Sciences. Students interested in completing the honours program should consult with the Department Chair as early as possible, no later than March 31st of the student’s third year.
To graduate with Honours in Kinesiology, students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all Kinesiology courses combined and an overall GPA of 2.7.
Students following this degree program must complete 57 semester hours of required courses in Kinesiology and 6 semester hours of required courses in Foods and Nutrition, and 6 semester hours of courses in humanities. Students are advised to consult with the Department Chair or their Faculty Advisor prior to registration.
The following are the course requirements for a Major in Kinesiology.
Kinesiology courses
- 1010 - Introduction to Kinesiology
- 2020 - Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology
- 2210 - Introduction to Exercise Physiology
- 2320 - Introduction to Motor Learning and Control
- 2510 - Anatomical Kinesiology
- 2620 - Introduction to the Sociology of Sport and Exercise
- 3120 - Introduction to Biomechanics
- 3310 - Introduction to Research Methods
- 3410 - Human Motor Development
- 3430 - Physiological Assessment and Training
- 3530 - Exercise Techniques and Prescription for Resistance Training
- 4810 - Analysis of Human Movement
- Eight Kinesiology electives at the 3000 or 4000 level
Foods and Nutrition
- 2110 - Introductory Nutrition I
- 2120 - Introductory Nutrition II
Required Courses From Other Departments
Mathematics
- 1120 - Calculus for the Managerial, Social and Life Sciences
Statistics
- 1210 - Introductory Statistics
Chemistry
- 1110 - General Chemistry I
- 1120 - General Chemistry II
Physics
- 1210 - Physics for Life Sciences I
Biology
- 1210 - Human Anatomy
- 1220 - Human Physiology
- 1310 - Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology
Indigenous Knowledge, Education, Research, and Applied Studies
- 1040 - Indigenous Teachings
UPEI courses and Writing Intensive Course
One of:
- UPEI 1010 - Writing Studies - Engaging Writing, Rhetoric, and Communication;
- UPEI 1020 - Inquiry Studies - Engaging Ideas and Cultural Contexts; OR
- UPEI 1030 - University Studies - Engaging University Contexts and Experience; AND
- One writing intensive course
Psychology
- 1010 - Introductory Psychology I
- 1020 - Introductory Psychology II
Students are advised to consult with the Department Chair or their Faculty Advisor prior to registration.
Following is the usual sequence for completion of courses:
Year One
- Kinesiology 1010 - Introduction to Kinesiology
- Biology 1210 - Human Anatomy
- Biology 1220 - Human Physiology
- Chemistry 1110 - General Chemistry I
- Chemistry 1120 - General Chemistry II
- One of UPEI 1010, 1020 or 1030
- Math 1120 - Calculus for the Managerial, Social and Life Sciences
- Psychology 1010 - Introductory Psychology I
- Psychology 1020 - Introductory Psychology II
- IKE 1040 - Indigenous Teachings
Year Two
- Kinesiology 2020 - Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology
- Kinesiology 2210 - Introduction to Exercise Physiology
- Kinesiology 2320 - Introduction to Motor Learning and Control
- Kinesiology 2510 - Anatomical Kinesiology
- Kinesiology 2620 - Introduction to the Sociology of Sport and Exercise
- Foods and Nutrition 2110 - Introductory Nutrition I
- Foods and Nutrition 2120 - Introductory Nutrition II
- Biology 1310 - Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology
- Statistics 1210 - Introductory Statistics
- Physics 1210 - Physics for Life Sciences I
Year Three
- Kinesiology 3120 - Introduction to Biomechanics
- Kinesiology 3310 - Introduction to Research Methods
- Kinesiology 3410 - Human Motor Development
- Kinesiology 3430 - Physiological Assessment and Training
- Kinesiology 3530 - Exercise Techniques and Prescription for Resistance Training
- Two Kinesiology electives at the 3000 or 4000 level
- One Humanities elective
- Two free electives
Year Four
- Kinesiology 4810 – Analysis of Human Movement
- Six Kinesiology electives at the 3000 or 4000 level
- Three free electives
Graduates of our Kinesiology program are eligible to apply for many certifications after graduation. Depending on the desired certifications, students may need to take certain elective courses beyond the core curriculum of the program. Additionally, most certifications require an entrance exam and volunteer hours prior to becoming certified. Students are encouraged to review certification requirements early in their degree so they are able to plan their education and volunteer hours accordingly. Below is a list of popular certifications, although this list is not exhaustive.
Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP):
- Certified Personal Trainer (CSEP-CPT) and Certified
- Exercise Physiologist (CSEP-CEP)
College of Kinesiologists of Ontario
Health and Fitness Federation of Canada:
- Certified Personal Trainer (HFFC-CPT) and Certified
- Exercise Physiologist (HFFC-CEP)
National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA):
- Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
High School Graduates
Canadian Applicants must have successfully completed Grade 12 in a university preparatory program with a minimum of 70% overall average in five grade 12 academic subjects:
- Grade 12 Academic English
- Grade 12 Academic Mathematics
- Grade 12 Academic Chemistry
- Grade 12 Academic Biology
- One additional Grade 12 Academic course
Please note: Successful completion of Grade 12 Chemistry (or equivalent) is required as a prerequisite for permission to register in CHEM-1110.
University Students
Applicants attending or having attended a university must meet the same requirements as listed above, but can also complete the course requirements by taking degree level courses.
Refer to the Specific Program Admission Requirements in the UPEI Academic Calendar for more information.
UPEI's undergraduate tuition is the second-lowest in the Atlantic region, and we offer millions of dollars in scholarships and awards.
Tuition
$7,170 per year, based on 30 credit hours ($717 per 3 credit course).
International students pay $8,410 per year in addition to full-time student tuition.
For a complete breakdown of part-time or full-time study as a student in the Faculty of Science, visit our Tuition and Fees page.
Scholarships and Awards
UPEI supports you and your educational goals. We administer millions of dollars in scholarships and awards to our undergraduate and graduate students every year. Depending on your faculty or program, and year of study, you may be eligible for available awards.
Search the complete list of scholarships for information and application forms.
Celebrating Student Achievement
Including Guaranteed Entrance Scholarships and Academic Excellence Awards, these awards recognize the academic achievements of all students who meet the eligibility criteria while studying towards their first undergraduate degree.
Visit the Scholarships site for complete information.
UPEI has about 250 faculty—exceptional scholars, teachers, and mentors, with more being hired each year as we open new, progressive, and unique programs. But the story isn’t just in the numbers. It’s in the quality of our people. Award-winning faculty from around the globe have made UPEI home. Here, you’ll learn directly from these world-class professors and researchers in small classes where you’ll have easy access to them.
