Course Summaries (Please note that not all courses are offered every year)
Natural and Physical Sciences
Independent Courses
Research Skills Development Practicum
Community-Based Practicum
Course summaries provide additional context beyond the official course descriptions, including details on textbooks, learning objectives, evaluation methods, and key topics covered, as well as the name of the course instructor. The summaries below reflect the most recent offering of each course.
Notes
- Refer to the Courses of Instruction section in the Arts and Science Calendar for official course descriptions.
A full list of KNPE courses by degree plan is available in the Draft Timetable (see Registration).
KNPE 125 – Introduction to Human Physiology
KNPE 153 – Introductory Biomechanics
KNPE 167 – Socio-Cultural Dimensions of Sport and Physical Activity
KNPE 225 – Advanced Human Physiology
KNPE 227 – Exercise Physiology
KNPE 237 – Child and Adolescent Motor Development (not offered in 2026-27)
KNPE 251 – Introduction to Statistics
KNPE 254 – Biomechanical Analysis of Human Movement
KNPE 255 – Physical Activity, Fitness and Health
KNPE 261 – Theory of Motor Behaviour and Motor Learning
KNPE 265 – Psychology of Sport and Exercise
KNPE 300 – Community-Based Practicum
KNPE 303 – Coaching and Leadership in Sport (not offered in 2026-27)
KNPE 327 – Exercise Physiology Laboratory
KNPE 330 – Athletic Therapy Field Placement
KNPE 331 – Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries
KNPE 336/386 – Community Field Placement in Disability and Physical Activity
KNPE 337 – Physical Activity Promotion for Children and Youth (not offered in 2026-27)
KNPE 338 – Field Course in Kinesiology & Health Studies (not offered in 2026-27)
KNPE 339 – Advanced Exercise Metabolism (not offered in 2026-27)
KNPE 345 – The Science and Methodology of Sport Training Conditioning Programs
KNPE 346 – Strength and Conditioning Field Placement
KNPE 352 – Research Skills Development Practicum
KNPE 353 – Experiments in Neuromechanical Kinesiology
KNPE 354 – Occupational Biomechanics and Physical Ergonomics (not offered in 2026-27)
KNPE 355 – Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Assessment Laboratory
KNPE 356 – Exercise Prescription
KNPE 363 – Team Dynamics in Sport: Theory and Practice
KNPE 365 – Motivational Interviewing for Physical Activity Behaviour (not offered in 2026-27)
KNPE 366 – Race, Sport and Physical Activity (not offered in 2026-27)
KNPE 367 – Fitness, the Body and Culture (not offered in 2026-27)
KNPE 397 – Special Topics in Kinesiology (not offered in 2026-27)
KNPE 400 – Professional Issues in Allied Health
KNPE 425 – Physiology of Stress (not offered in 2026-27)
KNPE 429 – Skeletal Muscle Oxygen Delivery: Demand Matching in Exercise (not offered in 2026-27)
KNPE 430 – Athletic Therapy Internship
KNPE 433 – Global Sport and Disability (not offered in 2026-27)
KNPE 436/486 – Advanced Placement in Disability and Physical Activity
KNPE 439 – Critical Appraisal and Translation of Muscle Physiology Research (not offered in 2026-27)
KNPE 446 – Strength and Conditioning Internship
KNPE 447 – Advanced Exercise Physiology Laboratory (not offered in 2026-27)
KNPE 449 – Advanced Protein Metabolism (not offered in 2026-27)
KNPE 450 – Ergonomics (not offered in 2026-27)
KNPE 453 – Locomotor Neuromechanics
KNPE 454 – Clinical Biomechanics
KNPE 455 – Advanced Physical Activity and Health
KNPE 456 – Survey of Research and Literature in Kinesiology or Physical Education
KNPE 459 – Clinical Exercise Physiology (not offered in 2026-27)
KNPE 461 – Sensorimotor Control (not offered in 2026-27)
KNPE 465 – Sport Participation and Performance
KNPE 473 – Sport and Culture (not offered in 2026-27)
KNPE 475 – Sport and the Environment
KNPE 491 – Special Project in Kinesiology
KNPE 493 – Special Topics in Kinesiology: Clinical Exercise Science
KNPE 493 – Special Topics in Kinesiology: Interventions in Sport Psychology
Course summaries provide additional context beyond the official course descriptions, including details on textbooks, learning objectives, evaluation methods, and key topics covered, as well as the name of the course instructor. The summaries below reflect the most recent offering of each course.
Notes
- Refer to the Courses of Instruction section in the Arts and Science Calendar for official course descriptions.
A full list of KNPE courses by degree plan is available in the Draft Timetable (see Registration).
HLTH 101 – Social Determinants of Health
HLTH 102 – Personal Health and Wellness
HLTH 200 – Physical Health and Exercise Programming
HLTH 205 – Introduction to Health Promotion
HLTH 210 – Health and Human Performance: Foundations Through Experiential Learning
HLTH 230 – Basic Human Nutrition
HLTH 237 – Introduction to Drugs, Drug Use and Drug Dependence
HLTH 252 – Introduction to Research Methods
HLTH 270 – Movement Behaviours and Health (not offered in 2026-27)
HLTH 300 – Community-Based Practicum
HLTH 305 – Fundamentals of Health Policy
HLTH 315 – Theory and Practice of Health Behaviour Change
HLTH 323 – Introduction to Epidemiology
HLTH 331 – Advanced Human Nutrition
HLTH 332 – Foundations for Understanding Disability: A Health Perspective
HLTH 334 – Health, Illness, and Society
HLTH 350 – Topics in Global Health
HLTH 351 – Health in Humanitarian Crises (not offered in 2026-27)
HLTH 352 – Research Skills Development Practicum
HLTH 360 – Globalization and Black Health (not offered in 2026-27)
HLTH 404 – Global Studies of Social Inclusion, Community Participation and Mental Health (not offered in 2026-27)
HLTH 410 – Environment and Health
HLTH 416 – Program Planning and Evaluation
HLTH 417 – Community-Based Programming and Evaluation (not offered in 2026-27)
HLTH 430 – Critical Weight Studies
HLTH 434 – Social Movements in Health (not offered in 2026-27)
HLTH 437 – Seminar on Harm Reduction (not offered in 2026-27)
HLTH 445 – Critical Population Health
HLTH 456 – Survey of Research and Literature in Health Studies
HLTH 460 – Anti-Black Racism and Health
HLTH 491 – Special Project in Health Studies
HLTH 493 – Advanced Topics in Health Studies I: Indigenous Food Sovereignty
HLTH 495 – Advanced Topics in Health Studies II: Gender and Health
HLTH 497 – Special Topics in Health Studies (not offered in 2026-27)
Students entering the Kinesiology program in Fall 2026 and beyond are no longer required to complete the Natural and Physical Sciences requirement.
Students who began their program prior to Fall 2026 may still complete this requirement if they wish. They are strongly encouraged to consult with an Academic Advisor before making a decision.
Previous Requirement Structure
Students who choose to complete the Natural and Physical Sciences requirement must complete 24.0 units, distributed as follows:
- 12.0 units at any level
- 9.0 units at the 200-level or above
- 3.0 units at the 300-level or above
The Arts & Science Academic Calendar lists the disciplines that are considered part of the Natural and Physical Sciences (scroll to Kinesiology Course lists: “ASC Science_Excluding_KNPE_HLTH”).
Important Notes:
- Plan ahead for any prerequisites required for upper-year (200-level and above) courses, ideally starting in first year.
- Some departments limit access to upper-year courses for non-majors. Check departmental policies with the appropriate Undergraduate Office.
- Not all upper-year courses (300-level and above) are offered every year due to factors such as sabbaticals, administrative duties, or scheduling constraints. Students should plan accordingly and have alternative options.
Natural and Physical Sciences vs. Social Sciences
Some disciplines (e.g., Biomedical Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Geography, and Psychology) offer courses that may be classified as either Natural/Physical Sciences or Social Sciences.
Students should:
- Verify course classifications using the Academic Calendar or course listings
- Use the Planner/Advisement Report in SOLUS for confirmation
Note: Course classification lists are reviewed annually prior to July registration.
Independent courses are intended to provide students with an opportunity to earn course credits while conducting an intensive study of a specific topic or research question. These courses are designed to be a self-directed study conducted under the supervision of a faculty member. This experience is of particular value for students who want to provide additional evidence of their academic abilities in their applications to post-degree or graduate programs.
All independent project courses are restricted to level 4 students in Health Studies (Major or Joint Honours plans only) or Kinesiology and require permission of a faculty supervisor and the SKHS Undergraduate Chair.
Important Instructions for Independent Study Courses
This document contains detailed information to assist students who would like to explore taking an independent course including information about requirements, developing a course proposal, finding a supervisor and registration approval.
Independent Study Opportunities in 2026-27
Survey of Research and Literature
Independent study involving a critical review of the literature on an approved topic of specialization. This opportunity trains students how to research a topic in depth by reviewing the current literature on a topic agreed between them and a professor.
- HLTH 456/3.0 Form: Survey of Research and Literature in Health Studies
- KNPE 456/3.0 Form: Survey of Research and Literature in Kinesiology and Physical and Health Education
Special Project
Students do an independent project in an area of specialization in health enhancement, disease prevention, and human performance – or in an area of specialization in Health Studies.
- HLTH 491/3.0 Form: Special Project in Health Studies
- KNPE 491/3.0 Form: Special Project in Kinesiology and Physical and Health Education
Honours Thesis
An independent study involving a research proposal and project on an approved topic in the area of health enhancement, disease prevention, and human performance. A minimum GPA of 3.50 is a prerequisite for HLTH/KNPE 595.
- HLTH 595/6.0 Form: Honours Thesis in Health Studies
- KNPE 595/6.0 Form: Honours Thesis in Kinesiology and Physical and Health Education
The Research Skills Development Practicum course (HLTH/KNPE 352/3.0) is designed to provide a research-based experience (approximately 80 hours) for students in Health Studies or Kinesiology interested in working in the research labs and on research projects of SKHS faculty members.
How to apply to participate in a research skills development practicum:
- Review the current Research Practicum Opportunities listing, which includes details on available research labs, project descriptions, number of positions, application contacts, and deadlines.
- Apply directly to the research group(s) of your interest by the deadline (end of March each year). Application instructions and contact information are available in the Research Practicum Opportunities listing. Please copy your application to the Laboratory and Educational Coordinator.
- Fill out the HLTH/KNPE 352 Research Practicum Form with your supervisor and submit it to the SKHS UG Office, who will arrange to register you into the course.
HLTH/KNPE 300/3.0 – Community-Based Practicum
The one-term Community-Based Practicum course provides students with a practical placement opportunity related to their field of study, including but not limited to: fitness facilities, community health centres and allied healthcare clinics. Through pre-placement workshops, course seminars, and their community-based placement, students will gain and utilize a wealth of professional development skills and experience. Please note, if selected for the course, it is the responsibility of the student to seek out, apply for, and arrange internships with assistance from the Course Instructor. The course is open to upper-year students in the Health Studies and Kinesiology programs.
Pre-requisites: Level 3 standing in HLTH or KIN and a minimum cumulative GPA of 1.9
Exclusions: KNPE 330/430, KNPE 346/446 (Athletic Therapy and Strength & Conditioning mini-streams)
Applications are submitted through the official online application form and must include:
- A résumé
- A cover letter or statement of interest outlining preferred placement area(s) and relevant experience
Questions about the course or application process may be directed to skhs.manager@queensu.ca.
Applications for the most recent cycle are now closed. Please check back for future application timelines and details.