Discover the science of human movement.
Help an Olympic hopeful recover from a torn ligament. Prevent workplace injuries by improving a company’s ergonomic standards. Give a child with cerebral palsy a better quality of life. Learn to prevent and treat movement-related illness and injury – and if you opt for the co-op stream, you can get 20 months of paid career experience along the way.
In addition to traditional science courses in biomechanics, neuroscience, and physiology, you’ll have four kinesiology-related minors and dozens of campus-wide minors to choose from. You can also include courses to prepare you for professional health programs such as medicine and physiotherapy.
Whatever direction you choose, Waterloo equips you with the tools you need to get there.
Kinesiology admission requirements
Ontario students: six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including
- Advanced Functions (minimum final grade of 70%)
- Chemistry (minimum final grade of 70%)
- Physics or Biology (minimum final grade of 70%)
Admission averages: Regular: low 80s, Co-op: mid-80s
We recommend completing the Admission Information Form once you've applied.
Not studying in Ontario? Search our admission requirements.
First-year courses
September to December
January to April
After first year
About half of the classes you’ll take for your degree will be Kinesiology courses. With your remaining classes, you can choose electives from many of the 100 subject areas at Waterloo.
View all the courses required for your degree.
Sample upper-year courses
KIN 307 – Methods in Physiological Research
KIN 343 – Micronutrient Metabolism
KIN 406 – Physiology of Muscle Aging and Disease
KIN 407 – Coronary Artery Disease – Prevention and Rehabilitation
A hands-on program
Jyoti chose Waterloo because she wanted a hands-on degree where she could learn about anatomy before applying to med school.
Available as a 
Apply directly to this program on your application
Earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology
Co-op = relevant paid work experience
By alternating school terms and paid co-op work terms throughout your degree, you can explore different career areas and types of employers as your interests evolve.
Sample co-op job titles
- Student ergonomist
- Physiotherapy assistant
- Health & safety program coordinator
- Clinical research assistant
- Chiropractic assistant
- Outdoor education student
Sample co-op employers
- Hamilton Health Sciences
- Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Centre
- Humantech Inc.
- Kitchener Rangers
- Regional Municipality of Peel
- Ontario Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services
Department of Kinesiology in the world
Offered by the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences
program-specific courses and labs for you to broaden your knowledge
Customize your Kinesiology degree
At the end of first year, you can choose to start one of the minors available within the program, such as
- Ergonomics and Injury Prevention
- Human Nutrition
- Medical Physiology (a great choice if you’re thinking of medical school)
- Rehabilitation Sciences (a great choice for physiotherapy, chiropractic, or other rehabilitation professional programs)
You can also include one of the minors available to all Waterloo students. Popular areas of focus include Medical Physiology, Human Nutrition, Rehabilitation Sciences, and Ergonomics and Injury Prevention.
What can you do with a degree in Kinesiology?
Graduates often pursue careers where they can help people, such as physiotherapy, chiropractic, ergonomics, health and safety, exercise management, nutrition, research, and by working in clinical settings such as hospitals or health centres.
Sample careers
- Orthopaedic Surgeon – MSK Centre
- Ergonomist – General Motors of Canada
- Physiotherapist – McMaster University, Health Services
- Occupational Therapist – 1 to 1 Rehab
- Pedorthic Technician – Bioped Footcare Centres
- Respiratory Therapist – Alberta Health Services
- Chiropractor – Evolve Massage & Wellness
For more information on potential careers, check out our career page on health and helping professions.
Further education
While the full range of further education depends on your personal interests and goals, graduates often choose professional and graduate programs in medicine, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, chiropractic, biomechanics, anatomy, and neuroscience.
More than just lectures
Over half of your required courses include a lab component. You’ll gain the practical skills to understand movement problems that occur in sports, industry, rehabilitation, and fitness.
Study anatomy in depth
Waterloo is one of Canada’s first non-medical schools to house a School of Anatomy — giving you the chance to study anatomy on real human cadavers right in your first year.
Ready to learn more?
- Visit the Department of Kinesiology website
- Email Pamela Hurvid, our recruitment co-ordinator, who can answer any questions about the program
- Subscribe to our newsletter to get tips and advice from current students
