First Year Student Information

Welcome to the Department of Kinesiology at Gordon College!

The information provided below should help you as you consider courses to select for your first semester, as well as help orient you to your first year in the kinesiology major.

THE BIG PICTURE?

Gordon’s Department of Kinesiology offers one major with several concentrations:

• Physician Assistant
• Pre-Physical Therapy
• Pre-Occupational Therapy
• Pre-Nursing
• Corporate Fitness

As a kinesiology major your coursework generally will begin with some foundational science courses. These courses, together with the “Introduction to Human Movement” class provide the necessary knowledge base from which you’ll develop an understanding of the mechanical, neurological and physiological aspects of human movement. Depending on your vocational interests, you might choose an appropriate concentration to compliment your studies in kinesiology. The additional coursework associated with each concentration reflects the generally accepted prerequisite requirements for graduate study in each health profession.

What will the first two years of courses look like?

The first two years of courses for kinesiology majors (including Human Anatomy and Physiology) are well planned out. We will discuss course scheduling in more detail at our first meeting for majors during the orientation period.

Freshman Year

Sophomore Year

What other courses should I sign up for in the fall of my freshman year?

Gordon’s “core” (or general liberal arts) requirements are as important a part of your education as your major. All Gordon students must take a series of these courses, and many students register for mostly core in the first year. In contrast to some other majors, however, it is important not to take too much core early, but to make sure you are starting on the kinesiology major requirements. Having core courses later in your college career will also help you avoid semesters with too many labs. Here are some suggestions:

• CHE111: Principles of Chemistry (required of all kinesiology majors)
• COR107: The Great Conversation (required of first-year students)
• BCM101: Old Testament
• BCM103: New Testament
• PHI118: The Examined Life
• HIS121: Historical Perspectives on Culture, Belief and Civilization
• Foreign Language (see special considerations below)

In addition, first-year students are required to take either La Vida (an outdoor leadership camping trip run in the summer) or Discovery Expeditions (an outdoor leadership-focused PE course during either semester) in their first year or in the summer immediately prior or following the first year. Please plan which of these options you will do before arriving on campus if possible.

Special considerations for foreign languages

Zero, four, or eight credits of foreign language are required in the core, based on your prior coursework. If you feel quite competent in a foreign language and think you might be able to test out of it, PLEASE TAKE THE LANGUAGE PLACEMENT EXAM DURING ORIENTATION. You may find that your preparation allows you to validate this entire requirement. If you validate only the first semester requirement, it is wise to complete the second semester requirement during your freshman year, so you can build on what you have learned previously.

What should I do when I get to campus in the fall? 

First, check the orientation schedule for the exact time and location of a meeting with the Kinesiology Department faculty. This meeting will take place on Monday morning of the week classes begin.

At this meeting, we first gather as a group for an information session about the department and our major. You then meet individually with your faculty advisor to fine-tune your registration. At that meeting, any problems with your pre-registration are sorted out and your registration is finalized. If you desire to contact us prior to that time, please feel free to do so. 

We’re very pleased you’re coming to Gordon and look forward to working with you as you begin your college career!

Sincerely,

Professors Clark, Iltis, and Ventura