Student in Aboodarda lab

Master of Kinesiology (MKin) Program

What you will learn

In this program you'll gain practical experience and learn from excellent scholars in these research areas: 

  • musculoskeletal health
  • injury prevention
  • sport medicine and rehabilitation
  • exercise and nutrition in health and sport
  • psychosocial aspects of health and sport

Required courses

All MKin students must take the core courses listed below. The courses are listed by semester so you can build your schedule in advance.

Need help planning your courses? Check out the schedule builder, or contact the Kinesiology graduate advisor at knesgrad@ucalgary.ca. 

Year 1 - Fall Term


Kinesiology 606A - Practical skills for applied exercise physiology

To develop practical skill and techniques associated with applied exercise physiological measurement vs. measurements in the areas of body composition, cardio-respiratory and musculoskeletal fitness.

Course Hours: F(3T-3)

Kinesiology 615 - Seminar in applied exercise physiology I

Lectures and seminar presentations, discussion and critique of current research in applied exercise physiology and related subjects.

Course Hours: Q(1S)

Kinesiology 673 - Exercise physiology

Topics in exercise physiology will include the effects of exercise on muscle, metabolism, hormones, respiration and the cardiovascular system. Nutrition, body composition, ergogenic aids and environmental factors will also be examined.

Course Hours: H(3-3)

Prerequisite(s): Kinesiology 373 or equivalent

Kinesiology 697 - Exercise and sport psychology

Addresses the determinants and consequences of exercise and sport engagement within clinical and athletic populations. The focus will be on the translation of research to practice, with "hands-on" skills and effective practice guidelines shared with the students.

Course Hours: Q(2S)

Year 1 - Winter Term


Kinesiology 674 - Clinical exercise physiology

Exercise for clinical populations: exercise assessment and prescription for disease modification.

Course Hours: H(3-3).

Prerequisite(s): Kinesiology 773

Kinesiology 606B - Practical skills for applied exercise physiology

To develop practical skill and techniques associated with applied exercise physiological measurement vs. measurements in the areas of body composition, cardio-respiratory and musculoskeletal fitness.

Course Hours: F(3T-3).

Kinesiology 617 - Seminar in applied exercise physiology II

Lectures and seminar presentations, discussion and critique of current research in applied exercise physiology and related subjects. Focus on chronic disease.

Course Hours: Q(1S).

Kinesiology 773 - Integrative exercise physiology

The effects of exercise on the complex physiological interactions between different systems in the human body.

Course Hours: H(3-3).

Prerequisite(s): Kinesiology 673

Year 2 - Spring Practicums


KNES 693 - Practicum l

Gain work experience in a professional setting for 1.5 course credits.

After year one, students take KNES 693 which are multiple practical experiences in applied physiology environments. You will integrate kinesiology theory with practical experience working with clinical and sport partners in the community. Practicums are unpaid positions. 

Year 2 - Summer Practicums


KNES 694 - Practicum II

Gain work experience in a professional setting for 1.5 course credits.

After taking year one and KNES 693, students take KNES 694 which are multiple practical experiences in applied physiology environments. You will integrate kinesiology theory with practical experience working with clinical and sport partners in the community. Practicums are unpaid positions. 

Year 2 - Fall Term


Kinesiology 696 - Practicum

The practicum will consist of multiple experiences in applied physiology environments.

Course Hours: H(1T-8).

Kinesiology 616 - Collaborative enquiry in applied exercise physiology

Instruction in critical enquiry, critical appraisal, applied problem solving frameworks, and research design within applied exercise physiology settings. Includes the successful development of an independent project proposal.

Kinesiology 785 - Training strategies for health and sport

The science of improving health and athletic performance with appropriate periodized stress and recovery.

Course Hours: H(3-3).

Prerequisite(s): Kinesiology 773

Year 2 - Winter Term


Kinesiology 698 - Practicum

The practicum will consist of multiple experiences in applied physiology environments.

Course Hours: H(1T-8).

Kinesiology 618 - Capstone

Instruction and discussion of issues in data collection, data analysis, and presentation of results in applied and non-traditional settings. Includes the successful completion of an independent applied project.

Kinesiology 605 - Nutrition for performance and active living

Nutritional requirements for sport performance and active living, including an overview of basic nutritional principles. Designed to use current research findings as a basis to examine the role of nutrition in sport performance. Nutrition for an active lifestyle will also be examined.

Potential practicum placements

Networking with prominent academic, clinical and elite sport professionals through the MKin program and practicum placements create excellent post-degree employment opportunities.

See what kind of companies you will work with. 

  • Calgary Fire Department
  • Calgary Police Services
  • YMCA at South Health Campus Calgary
  • Total Cardiology Rehabilitation and Risk Reduction Centre (formerly Cardiac Wellness Institute)
  • Heart Fit Clinic
  • Living Well with a Chronic Condition
  • Pulmonary Function Clinic
  • Southern Alberta Renal Program
  • Chronic Pain Centre
  • Neuro-rehab (Foothills)
  • Caleo Health-Spine
  • Copeman Healthcare Centre
  • INLIV Full Circle Health
  • Medisys
  • Preventous Collaborative Health
  • ProActive Health Group
  • Mosaic Primary Care Clinic
  • Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network
  • Calgary West Central Primary Care Network
  • South Calgary Primary Care
  • Calgary Flames Hockey Club
  • Canadian Sport Institute – WinSport/University of Calgary
  • Critical Speed – Active Lifestyle Coaching
  • Edge School for Athletes/Duckett Performance Centre
  • Peak Power Sport Development
  • Powerwatts – Indoor Cycling Training
  • TCR Sport Lab
  • Vergie Speed
  • Community Neurorehab Services
  • Synaptic Spinal Cord Injury and Rehab Centre

Visit Graduate Studies for tips on managing your program. Learn more.