Kinesiology at UMD looks approachable on paper: 120 credits, a mix of biology, chemistry, and movement science courses, with three distinct concentration tracks to choose from. What the program brochure does not emphasize is that BSCI 105, BSCI 106, CHEM 131, and CHEM 132 sit at the base of every upper-division KNES requirement, and the chain from those courses to KNES 287 (Human Anatomy and Physiology) runs through two full years of sequential prerequisites. Students who defer CHEM 131 out of fall of Year 1 routinely find themselves unable to enroll in KNES 287 until spring of Year 3, which then cascades into KNES 385 and KNES 460 crowding an already full senior year. Here is the sequence that keeps you on track and graduate on time.
Year 1: Lay the science foundation (~30 credits)
Your first semester must include KNES 100 (Introduction to Kinesiology), BSCI 105 (Principles of Biology I), CHEM 131 (Chemistry for the Life Sciences I), and ENGL 101 for the FSAW writing requirement. KNES 100 is a required one-credit orientation course that introduces the KNES department, concentration tracks, and advising resources. It is lightweight and worth taking in your very first semester to start building faculty and advisor relationships early. BSCI 105 is the first course in the biology sequence that feeds into KNES 287. CHEM 131 is the single most time-sensitive prerequisite in the entire Kinesiology program: it must be fall of Year 1, period. There is no exception here. CHEM 131 leads to CHEM 132, which along with BSCI 105 and 106 makes you eligible for KNES 287 in fall of Year 2.
In spring of Year 1, take BSCI 106 (Principles of Biology II) and CHEM 132 (Chemistry for the Life Sciences II). These two courses complete the science prerequisite chain for KNES 287. Add one Gen Ed course (PSYC 100 (FSOC) works well here, or HIST 156 (DSHS)) and a free elective to reach 15 credits for the semester. By the end of Year 1, you will have completed all the science prerequisites for KNES 287 and be on track for the correct Year 2 schedule.
Year 2: Enter the KNES core (~30 credits)
Fall of Year 2 is the pivot point: KNES 287 (Human Anatomy and Physiology), KNES 300 (Introduction to Exercise Physiology), and STAT 100 (Elementary Statistics). KNES 287 is the gateway course for virtually every upper-division KNES offering: KNES 385 (Biomechanics), KNES 460 (Advanced Exercise Physiology), and several concentration-specific courses all list it as a prerequisite. Missing KNES 287 in fall of Year 2 has the same downstream effect as missing CHEM 131 in fall of Year 1: it pushes every subsequent course back by a full year. KNES 287 is also lab-heavy and requires significant time investment. Pair it with KNES 300 and keep your other courses manageable. Most KNES concentrations accept STAT 100 for the statistics requirement; confirm with your advisor before registering, since the Exercise Science track may prefer STAT 400 if you are planning graduate school in exercise physiology or physical therapy.
Spring of Year 2: continue into your concentration-specific 300-level requirements, add two Gen Ed courses from the categories you have not yet satisfied (DSHU and DVCC are commonly open at this point), and one free elective. By the end of Year 2 spring you should also declare your KNES concentration. The three tracks have meaningfully different prerequisite structures for Year 3 and Year 4, and waiting until Year 3 to declare creates the same problem as any late prerequisite decision.
Year 3: Upper-division courses and concentration depth (~30 credits)
Fall of Year 3 introduces KNES 385 (Biomechanics), which requires KNES 287. Biomechanics covers force analysis, kinematics, and movement mechanics, with significant lab work. Add one upper-division KNES elective from your concentration list and one Gen Ed. Do not schedule KNES 287 and KNES 385 in the same semester; both are lab-heavy, and taking them together while managing upper-division electives creates an unsustainable credit load for most students. KNES 287 goes in fall of Year 2; KNES 385 goes in fall of Year 3.
Spring of Year 3: KNES 360 (Motor Behavior and Learning) covers neuromotor control, skill acquisition, and perceptual-motor learning. Pair it with upper-division KNES electives from your concentration track and one Gen Ed. Note that several upper-division KNES electives are only offered once per academic year, and some alternate between fall and spring offerings on a two-year cycle. Check the historical scheduling data in Testudo for any course that is not a core requirement before you count on it being available the semester you want it. If a required elective for your concentration is only offered in spring, anchor that semester around it.
Year 4: Advanced courses and completion (~30 credits)
Fall of Year 4 brings KNES 460 (Advanced Exercise Physiology), which requires both KNES 287 and KNES 300. This is the most in-demand course in the KNES program. Seats fill within minutes, not hours, of priority registration windows opening. When your Testudo window opens, your first CRN entry should be KNES 460. Do not sort out the rest of your schedule first. The moment you have your priority seat in KNES 460, fill in the rest. Your senior seminar rounds out fall of Year 4: these are small-enrollment courses where faculty relationships and research opportunities are made. Use the seminar to identify graduate program mentors or clinical placement contacts if you are heading toward physical therapy, occupational therapy, or medical school.
Spring of Year 4 finishes your remaining concentration requirements, any outstanding Gen Ed categories, and the free electives needed to reach 120 credits. By this point your DSNL requirement should be satisfied through the BSCI/CHEM sequence. FSAW is done. FSAR may or may not be done depending on whether STAT 100 carries that designation for your catalog year. The categories most commonly outstanding in KNES senior spring are DVCC and DVUP; plan two courses that satisfy those in your final semester.
The three KNES concentrations
The Exercise Science concentration is the most prerequisite-intensive track. It requires KNES 287, KNES 300, KNES 385, and KNES 460 in sequence, plus concentration-specific upper-division courses in exercise metabolism, cardiac rehabilitation, and strength and conditioning. This track is the best preparation for physical therapy school, medical school, or graduate exercise science programs. CHEM 131 in fall of Year 1 is non-negotiable for this concentration.
The Physical Activity and Health concentration has more flexibility in upper-division elective choices. It still requires the KNES 287 gateway and has fewer locked prerequisite chains after that. This track fits well for students interested in community health, public health graduate programs, or health promotion in workplaces and clinical settings.
The Health Promotion concentration is the most elective-flexible track in the KNES department. Several HLTH (Health) and SPHL (School of Public Health) courses count toward requirements, giving you more room to pursue a double major or minor without overloading. It pairs well with Psychology, Public Health, or SOCY minors for students interested in health behavior research or program design.