Program Overview

Health and Exercise Sciences (Kinesiology) Program

The Health and Exercise Sciences (Kinesiology) program at the University of British Columbia's Okanagan Campus is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of human movement and its impacts on health. As a graduate of this program, students will be adaptable leaders with the knowledge and skillset to enhance the health and well-being of various populations.

Program Information

• Campus: Okanagan
• Faculty: School of Health and Exercise Sciences
• Degree: Bachelor of Health and Exercise Sciences (Kinesiology)
• Length: 4 years
• Co-op: Yes
• Honours: Yes

The program allows students to combine their studies with full-time, paid work at top local and international organizations. Students can also study intense specialization in a single field.

Program Description

The Health and Exercise Sciences program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of human movement and its impacts on health. Students will examine the interdisciplinary nature of human health, including the psychological, physiological, neuromechanical, and socio-cultural aspects of movement. The program equips students with practical skills to work with individuals across their lifespans.

At the end of their second year, students have the option to complete one of three concentrations: Kinesiology and Allied Health, Health Behaviour Change, or Clinical Exercise Physiology. Each concentration offers a strategic career focus to best prepare students to be leaders in their field.

Upon graduation, students may start a career as a kinesiologist or clinical exercise physiologist, with a focus on the role of exercise in improving health, fitness, and performance. Students could also go on to pursue graduate studies in research or in a variety of health professions, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, athletic therapy, public health, or medicine.

Experiential Learning and Research

The Health and Exercise Sciences degree includes skill-building labs, practicum opportunities, independent research, and co-op placements to create a broad foundation for career potential. Within each concentration, students will complete a community practicum with an agency, business, or industry, where they will gain experience in a supervised health-related work setting.

Students can also complete an Honours Thesis with the supervision of a faculty member.

Sample Courses

• HES 120 - Introduction to Human Anatomy
• HES 130 - Determinants of Health
• HES 105 - Exercise Physiology I
• HES 131 - Exercise Psychology
• HES 203 - Lifespan Physical and Motor Development
• HES 231 - Exercise Counseling and Behaviour Modification
• HES 211 - Exercise Testing
• HES 201 - Exercise Prescription
• HES 371 - Professional Practice in Health & Exercise Sciences
• HES 351 - Clinical Exercise Physiology
• HES 333 - Health Program Evaluation
• HES 320 - Functional Anatomy
• HES 493 - Community Practicum
• HES 490 - Project in Human Kinetics
• HES 481 - Pediatric Exercise Physiology
• HES 433 - Knowledge Translation in Health and Exercise Sciences
• HES 471 - Professional Ethics in Health & Exercise Sciences

Program Requirements

• Canadian high schools:
  • IB Diploma Programme: Completed IB Diploma, including at least three Higher Level courses.
  • IB Certificate Courses: IB Certificate courses (Standard and Higher Level) may be used in an admissions average if graduating from a recognized high school curriculum.
• International high schools:
  • IB Diploma Programme: Completed IB Diploma, including at least three Higher Level courses.
  • IB Certificate Courses: IB Certificate courses (Standard and Higher Level) may be used in an admissions average if graduating from a recognized high school curriculum.
• International Baccalaureate:
  • One of: IB Math Analysis and Approaches SL or HL, or IB Math Applications and Interpretations HL.
  • IB Biology
  • IB Chemistry
  • IB Physics
• English-language requirements: English is the language of instruction at UBC. All prospective students must demonstrate English-language competency prior to admission.

Related Programs

• Dietetics: Vancouver, 5 years
• Kinesiology: Multidisciplinary Science: Vancouver, 4 years
• Kinesiology: Social and Behavioural Sciences: Vancouver, 4 years
• Nursing: Okanagan, 4 years

Your Future

A UBC education will introduce students to people and ideas from around the world, open doors to new opportunities, and take them places they never imagined. Students will graduate not only with expertise in their chosen field but with the skills they need to continue growing, learning, and evolving with their career over time.