College of Education & Professional Studies

Department of Kinesiology


The Department of Kinesiology prepares teachers and professionals in physical education and the exercise sciences.The department houses two undergraduate major programs, one master’s program, and a Post Bachelorette in Physical Education.  The programs include BSE Health, Physical Education and Adaptive PE, BS Human Performance (offered both in person and fully online) and MS Applied Kinesiology.  The department also houses several minors and certificates. 

The Department of Kinesiology is a member of the American Kinesiology Association which promotes and enhances kinesiology as a unified academic discipline involving the study of physical activity and its impact on health, society and quality of life. As part of the College of Education and Professional Studies the teacher preparation program is one of few programs in the state of Wisconsin which has received accreditation from The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

The faculty and academic staff in the Kinesiology Department are dedicated to providing high quality education for students committed to professional careers in the exercise sciences, health and physical education, health promotion, sport and recreation management, strength and conditioning, and coaching, among other health and human performance careers.

Mission

The mission of the Department of Kinesiology is to:

  1. Prepare undergraduate and graduate students for careers related to the exercise sciences and health & physical education, and contribute to the General Education Program for undergraduate students.
  2. Advance knowledge as teacher-scholars in disciples related to human performance and health & physical education; and
  3. Contribute expertise and experience to professions related to human performance, and health & physical education, to the university community and general public.

Department of Kinesiology Scholarships
Students in the Physical Education Teacher Education and Human Performance majors should be aware of the following scholarship awards below to apply. Applications are currently being accepted through February 22nd for those whose applications are submitted online.

Vonderau/Clark Scholarship

Weigandt Scholarship

Goodhue Scholarship

Van Steenderen Scholarship

Englund Scholarship

Toennies Scholarship

Alec Mabie Memorial Scholarship

For more scholarships available and to apply, please visit the Scholarshp Website .

Visit the link below to know about undergrad research projects; from how to get started, and what faculty to go to for help, to a list of possible research topics, previous proposal topics, as well as a list of important dates for undergrad research, such as timelines and conferences. We hope you'll find all you need here, and wish you good luck with your research proposal!

The Department of Kinesiology has offices, classrooms, laboratories and activity spaces located in Williams Center, the Kachel Fieldhouse and surrounding outdoor locations. Facilities are also utilized in the Roseman Building, the Student Athletic Complex and other locations across campus.

Located on the northern edge of the campus, Williams Center and the Kachel Fieldhouse includes the following facilities:

  • 200 Meter Indoor Track with Multi-Purpose Courts for Basketball, Volleyball and Tennis
  • Golf Hitting Cage and Putting Green
  • 4 Racquetball Courts
  • Basketball Gymnasium
  • Wrestling Gymnasium
  • Gymnastics Gymnasium
  • Volleyball Arena
  • Swimming Pool and Diving Well
  • Fitness Facilities for Weight Training and Aerobic Exercise
  • Specialized Laboratory and Studio Facilities

Williams Center Building

The Department of Kinesiology also enjoys specialized facilities in Williams Center that include the Human Performance Laboratory, Motion Analysis Laboratory, Computer Laboratory and Dance Studio. All classrooms in Williams Center are equipped with instructional technology which includes SMART Boards in selected classrooms.

Human Performance Laboratory

The Human Performance Laboratory is located in Williams Center 188 and provides teaching, research and service programs in exercise science with primary responsibility for the teaching of students in health, physical education, recreation, coaching and related areas. The facility has state-of-the-art equipment for exercise science with four fully-equipped multi-student laboratory stations which utilize computer systems on customized carts with dual monitors. Each of the four carts includes a Vacu-Med Vista VO2 Lab metabolic analysis system, Cardio-Card electrocardiography system, BIOPAC system and pulmonary function analysis system. Each of the four teaching stations includes a cycle ergometer, upper body ergometer and treadmill.Additional equipment includes a research-grade metabolic analysis cart that uses AEI analyzers and Vacu-Med Vista software and interfaces operating on a computer system with dual monitors. The cart also includes a Cardio-Card electrocardiography system, BIOPAC system and capabilities for measuring oxyhemoglobin saturation. Other equipment includes a Velotron Dynafit Pro with VariCrank that uses 3D, SpinScan, Coaching and Wingate software. The Human Performance Laboratory also has capabilities for exercise biochemistry that include a glucose and lactate analyzer, two UV/Vis spectrophotometers, water bath, analytical balance and related equipment to analyze blood and other tissues. Capabilities for DNA analysis are available across campus in Upham Hall. A computerized hydrostatic location is available in a separate location in the Williams Center complex.

Motion Analysis Laboratory

As part of the Human Performance Laboratory, the Motion Analysis Laboratory facilitates instruction in anatomy and physiology, and provides students with an in depth study of the physics of human movement. A wide range of anatomical and physiological models are available. The Motion Analysis Laboratory includes a computerized motion analysis system with a force platform. The four fully-equipped multi-student teaching stations in the Human Performance Laboratory may also be used in the Motion Analysis Laboratory.

Computer Laboratory

The Computer Laboratory is located in Williams Center room 187. During the academic year it is open from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Monday through Thursday and from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Friday. The Computer Laboratory is equipped with 24 Windows computers, a handicapped-accessible work station, an Apple Mac, a scanner and a printer. All computers include standard software featuring MS Windows, MS Office, Adobe and Firefox, along with specialized laboratory software and DVD/CD-RW drives. Specialized science software includes Stellarium, Salt 2012, HU-M-AN, Fitness Gram and Google Earth. Specialized mathematics software includes Inspired Data, IBM SPSS and Geometers.

Dance Studio

The Dance Studio is a modern movement space with an acoustic ceiling, suspended wooden flooring, large mirrors, and a contemporary sound system with remote microphones for instructors.

  • American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance - AAHPERD is the largest organization of professionals supporting and assisting those involved in physical education, leisure, fitness, dance, health promotion, and education and all specialties related to achieving a healthy lifestyle.
  • American Camp Association - The ACA (formerly known as the American Camping Association) is a community of camp professionals who, for nearly 100 years, have joined together to share our knowledge and experience and to ensure the quality of camp programs.
  • American Camp Association Wisconsin Section - The Wisconsin Section of ACA is a resource for Wisconsin-based ACA member camps to gain and exchange information about staff training, job postings, education and research while promoting the enrichment of the lives of children and adults through the camping experience.
  • American Council on Exercise - ACE is a nonprofit organization committed to enriching quality of life through safe and effective exercise and physical activity. As America's Authority on Fitness, ACE protects all segments of society against ineffective fitness products, programs and trends through its ongoing public education, outreach and research. ACE further protects the public by setting certification and continuing education standards for fitness professionals.
  • American College of Sports Medicine - Much more than a slogan, the American College of Sports Medicine puts into practice its strategic efforts to advancing the health of all. As the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world, ACSM has more than 20,000 International, National, and Regional Chapter members.
  • Association for Experiential Education - The Association for Experiential Education (AEE) is a nonprofit, professional membership association dedicated to experiential education and the students, educators and practitioners who utilize its philosophy.
  • National Intramural-Recreation Sports Association - NIRSA is the leading resource for professional and student development, education, and research in collegiate recreational sports.
  • National Strength and Conditioning Association - NSCA, the worldwide authority on strength and conditioning, we support and disseminate research-based knowledge and its practical application to improve athletic performance and fitness.
  • National Recreation and Park Association - For 40 years, NRPA has advocated the importance of thriving, local park systems, the opportunity for all Americans to lead healthy, active lifestyles, and the preservation of great community places.
  • Wisconsin Park and Recreation Association - WPRA represents over 1,600 individuals delivering a broad spectrum of services in Wisconsin. Members include Park, Recreation and Therapeutic Recreation professionals in local, county, state, school district, private and agency settings. WPRA also represents public Park and Recreation Boards and Commissions, students, commercial firms and Emeritus (retired) members.
  • World Leisure Organization - WLO is a world-wide, non-governmental association of persons and organizations dedicated to discovering and fostering those conditions best permitting leisure to serve as a force for human growth, development and well-being.
  • UWW Professional Development Planning/Licensure Renewal Center - The Licensure Renewal Support Center is one of 16 centers throughout the state of Wisconsin that were created and designated by the Department of Public Instruction.
  • Department of Public Instruction - Wisconsin's Department of Public Instruction
  • Y-Coach Coaching Database - Includes drills and plays. Also information on supplements, and nutrition, and information regarding psychology, discipline and philosophy.
  • Biomechanics World Wide - The Sports Biomechanics Lab is both a research facility, and an undergraduate and graduate teaching facility. The primary focus of the lab and of our research and teaching activities is to quantify and explain human movement in the environment of sport.
  • American College of Sports Medicine - Much more than a slogan, the American College of Sports Medicine puts into practice its strategic efforts to advancing the health of all. As the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world, ACSM has more than 20,000 International, National, and Regional Chapter members.