Kinesiology

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. In Kinesiology, you’ll learn to prevent and treat movement-related illness and injury.

In addition to traditional science courses in biomechanics, neuroscience, and physiology, you’ll have 4 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.

Joyti chose Kinesiology at Waterloo because she loves how it combines human biomechanics, physiology, neuroscience, and nutrition to give various perspectives on human movement.

About the Kinesiology program

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Kinesiology admission requirements

• Ontario students: 6 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
• Not studying in Ontario? Search our admission requirements.
• We recommend completing the Admission Information Form once you've applied.

For September 2020, any Grade 12 U English or equivalent (minimum final grade of 70) will also be required. This change to admission requirements does not affect September 2019 applicants.

What can you do with a degree in Kinesiology?

Waterloo 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.

Recent graduates 

• 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

Further education

While the full range of further education depends on your individual interests, graduates often choose professional and graduate programs in medicine, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, chiropractic, biomechanics, anatomy, and neuroscience.

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First-year Kinesiology courses

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Customize your Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology degree

At the end of first year, you can choose to start one of the minors available within Kinesiology, 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 add other areas of interest by adding minors available to all Waterloo students. 

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Gain relevant work experience through co-op

By alternating school terms and paid co-op work terms throughout your degree, you can explore different career areas in Kinesiology and types of employers as your interests evolve.

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Learn more about Kinesiology

• Email Pamela Hurvid, our Applied Health Sciences recruitment co-ordinator, who can answer any questions about the program
• Department of Kinesiology website
• Related programs: Health Studies, Therapeutic Recreation, Careers in medicine and health