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Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology (Course Option)

Master of Science

Program Requirements

This program requires the completion of 30 units of graduate courses in the Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology.

Students complete both of

BPK 801 - Seminar on Research in Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology (3)

Required of all graduate students entering the Biomedical Physiology & Kinesiology. Students will gain perspective on how their research fits into the overall spectrum of departmental research. Presentations will be given by faculty and students, to be followed by seminar discussions. Students will be exposed to techniques available in the school, their strengths and weaknesses, what data the techniques yield, and how the scientific method is applied in interpreting the data. Students will learn how to give oral, poster, and web-based presentations, and how to facilitate discussions.

and a graduate course in statistics or research methods, such as HSCI 801

and three of

BPK 810 - Integrative Muscle Physiology (3)

Recent developments in the application of molecular biology, biochemistry and cell biology to study muscle function during exercise. Topics will include muscle-specific gene expression, energy metabolism and its control, biochemical plasticity of muscle, hypertrophy and signal transduction.

BPK 812 - Molecular and Cellular Cardiology (3)

This course involves biochemical and biophysical analyses of cardiac function. Topics for discussion include excitation, contraction, E-C coupling and the regulation of pHi. Students with credit for KIN 806 may not take this course for further credit.

BPK 821 - Environmental and Exercise Physiology (3)

Review course covering aspects of cardiovascular and respiratory physiology and discussion of environmental physiology topics such as hypoxia.

BPK 825 - Behavioural Neuroscience (3)

Selected aspects of research and theory in the behavioural neurosciences. The focus will be on delineating the problems of developing viable theories of motor learning and action, and on seeking solutions to those problems. The course also includes sections on information processing and co-ordination of complex movement.

BPK 840 - Human Biomechanics (3)

Review the theoretical basis and tools of biomechanics and to examine how biomechanics research can contribute to our understanding of the cause, prevention and treatment of disease and injury and how biomechanics relates to neural control of movement. Topics will include static equilibrium, equations of motion, stability, inverse and forward dynamics, vibration and impact, mechanical properties of tissues, muscle models, feedback and feedforward control, impedance control and internal dynamics models. Students with credit for KIN 806 may not take this course for further credit.

BPK 850 - Control Systems in Health and Disease (3)

Biomolecular interactions exert or initiate substantive control thereby integrating cellular and physiological function. Defects in these biomolecular interactions frequently lead to altered control systems or responses of these systems in various disease states. Topics may include mechanisms of hormone action, cellular transport and signaling, immunoregulation, nutrition and metabolic control.

BPK 861 - Neuroscience (3)

Topics include the physiology of walking, cerebral and cerebella cortical physiology, the generation of repetitive neural discharges, as well as hormonal control of neuron behaviour. The emphasis will be a broad introduction to neuroscience, as well as some neuroscience research methods and applications.

BPK 870 - Experiments and Models in Physiology (3)

Introduction to the basic principles of mathematical modeling of physiological systems and mathematical techniques that are commonly used in modeling. The course will provide students with an opportunity to learn and apply some of these techniques and to develop an appreciation for the utility of mathematical models, as well as limitations and potential pitfalls.

and four electives chosen from any KIN graduate courses, from any other graduate courses at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV, or from other universities with prior approval of the graduate program committee.

Project Requirements

To complete the one-term directed study project, students will enrol in

BPK 804 - Project (3)

Required for MSc (course work) students only. The course provides an opportunity for concentrated research in a focused area with a faculty supervisor resulting in a research paper or experimental report.

and if the project is not completed in that one term, students will then enrol in the following courses until the project is completed. No additional credit will be given for KIN 809.

Time Required for Degree

It may be possible to complete the MSc course work in one calendar year of full-time study. However, it is anticipated that normally six terms will be required for degree completion. The program can be undertaken by students who are also employed.

Application Criteria for Transfer from MSc to PhD Program

Students currently in the biomedical physiology and kinesiology master’s program may be considered for transfer to the PhD program. Such transfers will be infrequent and very selective. Normally, only students enrolled in their third through sixth terms may apply to transfer to the PhD program. The graduate program committee (GPC) reviews such applications, and the GPC chair forwards a recommendation to the dean of graduate studies. The decision is made by the dean of graduate studies.

In addition to , eligibility and the decision regarding transfer to the PhD in kinesiology will include the following criteria.

  • strong support letters from the senior supervisor and at least one other academic referee

  • excellent academic performance (e.g. minimum GPA of 3.67)

  • strong background in research design and statistics or modeling as appropriate to the area

  • completion of biomedical physiology and kinesiology graduate seminar course (KIN 801)

  • evidence that the student is capable of completing and disseminating research. Such capability will be judged by research to date, publications and letters from referees.

Academic Requirements within the Graduate General Regulations

All graduate students must satisfy the academic requirements that are specified in the Graduate General Regulations, as well as the specific requirements for the program in which they are enrolled.