U-M School of Kinesiology

Welcome to Kinesiology

Our faculty are engaged in a wide range of study, from the role of neuromuscular systems in controlling movement to the business of managing sport facilities; from ways to prevent sports injuries to new directions in physical education. The common thread that brings us together is the study of human movement.

Our web pages are intended to bring you a capsule look at Kinesiology: faculty's interests and backgrounds, undergraduate and graduate course information and opportunities for collaborative learning. Whether you are a first year or transfer student, a prospective graduate student, a curious parent or a colleague from another discipline, we welcome your interest and look forward to exploring opportunities with you.

Ronald Zernicke
Professor & Dean
School of Kinesiology

About Kinesiology

• Flipbook: Snapshot of Kinesiology is on our Overview page

Kinesiology is the study of human movement from a variety of perspectives, including biochemistry, psychology, neurophysiology, sociology, developmental motor control, sport business and marketing concepts, and the mechanics of motion. Kinesiologists study the teaching and learning of motor skills. Such aspects of movement can be examined from birth to old age, and in injury or diseased conditions.

Today Kinesiology enrolls over 850 undergraduate and graduate students, combining the advantages of a close-knit, small school community while drawing upon all of the resources of the larger University. The unit has its own Office of Student Services, Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations, Center for Global Opportunities, as well as a staff supporting a variety of work groups. Yet the School also enjoys close collaborative relationships with Medicine, Business, Engineering, Education, Public Health, and LS&A.

Enrollment

Undergraduate. Kinesiology has the fourth largest undergraduate enrollment at U-M. The application rate is rising more rapidly than the U-M's overall, and applicant selectivity is 48% (second most selective on campus).
Graduate. The graduate program has experienced rapid growth in the past ten years, including a seven-fold increase in fully funded doctoral students. The Masters and PhD programs have also become highly selective, with 41.4% and 27.8% selectivity rates, respectively.

Faculty

Kinesiology faculty come from a rich variety of backgrounds and are leaders in their fields. They include:

• a Fulbright Scholar (Dr. Watkins)
• a Fulbright-Hays Scholar (Dr. Borer)
• a Computerworld Smithsonian Award Laureate (Dr. Gross)
• an Arthur F. Thurnau Professor (Dr. Brown)
• five AAKPE Fellows (Drs. Cartee, Edington, Katch, B. Ulrich, and D. Ulrich)
• current and past presidents of AAKPE (Dr. B. Ulrich), NASPSPA (Dr. B. Ulrich), and ABS (Dr. Gross)

Currently Kinesiology faculty members are Principal Investigators on federal awards from NIH, NSF, and CDC, as well as on grants from a number of foundations (including the American Diabetes Association, Robert C. Atkins Foundation, NFL Charities, Arthritis Foundation Michigan Chapter, and the Gustavus and Louise Pfeiffer Research Foundation). Many serve as editors or on editorial boards of highly regarded professional journals.