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About the University of Calgary
Graduate Studies Calendar 2022-2023 Program Descriptions Kinesiology KNES
Kinesiology - KNES
Contact Information

Location: Kinesiology B, Room 139B
Program number: 403.220.5183
Email address: [email protected]
Web page URL: kinesiology.ucalgary.ca/future-students/graduates

1. Degrees and Specializations Offered

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Master of Science (MSc), thesis-based

Specializations (offered only to PhD, MSc students):

  • Biomechanics
  • Exercise and Health Physiology
  • Health, Exercise and Sport Psychology
  • Innovation in Pedagogy and Sport Performance
  • Neuro-Motor Psychology and Motor Learning
  • Nutrition, Metabolism and Genetics
  • Rehabilitation
  • Sociocultural Aspects of Sport and Physical Activity
  • Sport Medicine
  • Wearable Technology (see Interdisciplinary Specializations)

Master of Kinesiology:

Specialization:

  • Applied Exercise Physiology

The Master of Kinesiology (MKin) is a full-time course-based program specializing in Applied Exercise Physiology.

Students are normally registered as full-time students however in very exceptional circumstances, registration as part-time students may be recommended by the Faculty of Kinesiology, Associate Dean (Graduate) for subsequent approval by the Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies or designate.

2. Admission Requirements

In addition to Faculty of Graduate Studies requirements, the Faculty of Kinesiology requires the following:

Doctor of Philosophy

a) Consent for supervision from an approved Faculty Member in Kinesiology.

b) An appropriate academic background for the area of specialization.

c) A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or higher on a four-point scale over the last 60 units and/or last two years of study.

d) Two reference letters.

e) Written confirmation of external funding in accordance with policies of the Faculty of Kinesiology Graduate Program.

f) A student may request a transfer from the Master of Science degree program to the doctoral degree program, upon the recommendation of the supervisory committee and subsequent approval of the Associate Dean (Graduate) and Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Master of Science

a) Consent for supervision from an approved Faculty Member in Kinesiology.

b) An appropriate academic background for the area of specialization.

c) A minimum GPA of 3.00 or higher on a four-point scale over the last 60 units and/or last two years of study.

d) Two reference letters.

Master of Kinesiology

The following are the minimum requirements for applying to the program. Please note, normally applicants with higher GPAs are selected for admission to the program.

a) A minimum grade of "B" or 3.00 in each of the following undergraduate prerequisite courses or equivalents: Anatomy, Exercise Physiology, Biomechanics, Exercise/Sport Psychology and Statistics.

b) A minimum admission GPA of 3.00 or higher on a four-point scale over the last 60 units and/or two years of study in Kinesiology or an appropriate academic background for the area of specialization.

c) A demonstrated ability to be self-motivated and capable of independent study as shown in undergraduate studies, volunteer work and/or work experience in exercise science areas will be considered.

d) Two reference letters.

Flexible Grade Option (CG Grade)

The Faculty of Kinesiology will not permit the Flexible Grade Option (CG Grade) for students enrolled in the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees.

The Faculty of Kinesiology will allow students in the Master of Kinesiology program to pursue the Flexible Grade Option (CG Grade) with the exception of Kinesiology 609, 610, and 611.

Students may choose the CG grade for a course taken extra to load.

The use of the CG grade will not affect students' eligibility for internal awards.

4. Advanced Credit

Advanced credit will be limited to 12 units with a grade of "B" or higher for students admitted to the Master of Kinesiology program. The student must request advanced credit in writing at the time of application for admission to the Faculty of Kinesiology.

5. Program/Course Requirements

In addition to Faculty of Graduate Studies requirements, the Faculty of Kinesiology requires:

Doctor of Philosophy

A minimum of 9 units at the graduate level selected according to the student's background research focus and approved by the graduate supervisor and supervisory committee.

Master of Science

a) One graduate-level course (3 units) in analysis, such as Kinesiology 609 or 610.

b) One graduate-level course (3 units) in research design, such as Kinesiology 611.

Master of Kinesiology

a) A total of 33 units at the graduate level:

Kinesiology 605, 606, 615, 616, 617, 618, 673, 674, 693, 694, 696, 697, 698, 773, 785.

b) A final applied project is considered the capstone event. This will be undertaken in conjunction with Kinesiology 616 and 618.

6. Credit for Undergraduate Courses

Graduate credit may be granted for courses offered at the 500 level at the discretion of the Associate Dean (Graduate).

7. Time Limit

Doctor of Philosophy
Expected completion time is four years.
Maximum completion time is six years.

Master of Science
Expected completion time is two years.
Maximum completion time is four years.

Master of Kinesiology
Expected completion time is 20 months commencing in September.
Maximum completion time is six years.

8. Supervisory Assignments

Doctor of Philosophy
Master of Science

Supervisor(s) must be identified at the time of admission for thesis-based programs. Within six months of admission, the student and supervisor(s) must select a supervisory committee according to the Faculty of Graduate Studies’ procedures. The composition of the supervisory committee must be approved by the Associate Dean (Graduate).

Master of Kinesiology
Not applicable.

9. Research Proposal Requirements

Students whose research involves human subjects must receive approval from the University of Calgary Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board before beginning data collection. Research with animals must receive approval from a University Animal Care Committee.

Doctor of Philosophy
Doctoral students are required to prepare a written thesis proposal and obtain approval from the supervisory committee. For complete details of the proposal requirements, see KNES Candidacy Requirements.

Master of Science
All Master of Science students must present a research proposal to their supervisory committee prior to commencing data collection. The proposal must include the objectives and methodology of the proposed research program as well as the expected contributions to the field. The supervisory committee must approve the thesis proposal before it is submitted to the Faculty of Kinesiology, Associate Dean (Graduate).

Master of Kinesiology
Not applicable.

10. Required Examinations

In addition to the Faculty of Graduate Studies requirements, the Faculty of Kinesiology requires:

Doctoral Candidacy

Doctoral students must pass oral and written Field of Study examinations. For complete details of the examination format and other candidacy requirements, see KNES Candidacy Requirements document.

Thesis Examinations (Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Science)

Thesis Oral Examinations are administered according to the Faculty of Graduate Studies’ procedures and are open examinations.

Composition of the Committee
The Internal Examiner must be external to the home program.

Scheduling of the Examination
All members of the Supervisory Committee must have reviewed the student’s research, including a relevant written sample of the materials related to the thesis, before an examination can be scheduled.

Prior to a doctoral or a Master’s thesis oral examination being scheduled, the following program requirements must be met:

  1. The student must provide a relevant written sample of their research which is comprised of the following:
    a) Table of Contents from the thesis;
    b) Thesis chapter or manuscript (prepared, submitted, accepted) for publication. In cases where a thesis chapter may consist of a literature review, it must be from the thesis and not the research proposal.
  2. The supervisor must schedule a supervisory committee meeting where the student will present their results to the supervisory committee. The meeting may take place in person, via tele- or videoconference, or as a discussion via email. The supervisor and supervisory committee members must unanimously:
    a) agree the student has conducted sufficient work on their research project;
    b) approve the relevant written sample of research;
    c) approve the student to write their thesis and schedule a Thesis Oral Examination.

A final copy of supervisory committee meeting minutes (or relevant emails) must be submitted to the Graduate Program Office confirming that the above requirements have been met. Thesis examinations will not be approved by the Associate Dean (Graduate) until these are received.

Master of Kinesiology
Not applicable.

11. Financial Assistance

Doctor of Philosophy

Evidence of external financial support at a minimum level of $18,000 a year ($20,000 for international students) for up to four years must be provided before admission. This external funding may be in the form of a Supervisor’s Grant, external award(s), government funding, etc.

Master of Science

Students are encouraged to apply for external awards, government funding, etc.

Financial assistance may be available to qualified thesis-based students in the form of Graduate Assistantships (Teaching).

For information on other awards, please contact the Faculty of Kinesiology Graduate Program.

Master of Kinesiology

MKin students may apply for Graduate Assistantship (Teaching) positions.