Oct 06, 2024  
USC Catalogue 2024-2025 
    
USC Catalogue 2024-2025

Biokinesiology (Sports Science) (MS)


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Graduate study for the Master of Science in Biokinesiology is open to individuals who have a bachelor’s degree and who have a strong interest in movement science.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements include a superior grade point average in cumulative undergraduate and graduate course work (if applicable). Applicants are to provide the department with three letters of recommendation. The faculty may request a personal interview before making a decision on admission. Admission will be considered for the fall semester only. The application deadline is November 1. All applicants should contact the Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy for advisement.

Prerequisites

The prerequisite for applicants to the Master of Science program in biokinesiology is either: (a) a bachelor’s degree or higher with a science major or equivalent; or (b) a bachelor’s or master’s degree in physical therapy with appropriate basic science content. Courses completed at the time of application must include work (with appropriate laboratory study) in chemistry, physics, calculus and biology. Highly recommended is course work in anatomy, physiology, histology, kinesiology, trigonometry, neuroscience, analytical geometry, exercise physiology, biochemistry and computer programming. Applicants with no background in cellular or molecular biology may be required to take PT 509  in the entry-level DPT program. Candidates should have some degree of computer literacy. International applicants will be considered on a special evaluation of credentials.

Students deficient in certain prerequisites may be admitted subject to completion of requirements within two years after admission. An additional year may be granted upon review of the student’s program by a faculty committee. Work in any prerequisite subjects will not be part of the required units for the Master of Science.

Degree Requirements


Completion of the degree requires satisfactory completion of a minimum of 32 credits of course work at the 500 level or above, an internship (BKN 600 ) and a sports science related summative experience.

Additional Requirements


Substituting a course for one of the core courses may be allowed after receiving approval from the Biokinesiology Program Committee prior to the beginning of the course.

In order to fulfill the summative project requirement, the following plan is suggested; however, each plan can be individualized based on the needs of the student and/or adviser:

  1. Select electives that align with the student’s area of interest.  
  2. Identify a summative project adviser (course instructor or research professor) whose work relates to the area of interest. This should be done by the end of the first year of study.
  3. Establish project specific aims and objectives. Create a curricular plan that aligns with completion of the project (additional electives which may include BKN 559  and/or BKN 590 )

Note: Summative project may be completed in conjunction with BKN 600 : Sports Science Internship, but must be approved and coordinated with a faculty adviser.

See the Doctor of Philosophy in Biokinesiology  section for a list of courses available to MS students.

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