Our Program
Master of Science in Biokinesiology with an emphasis in Sports Science curriculum provides students with a solid understanding of physiological, biomechanical and neurological basis of movement while giving students the advanced skills necessary to excel in a specialized area related to sport and exercise.
Graduates will have a theoretical and practical understanding of the concepts and tools used in sports performance assessment and interpretation with respect to injury, injury risk and optimal performance. They will apply this knowledge to practical settings and to communicate with members of multi-disciplinary teams focused on athlete performance and well-being.
MS-Sports Science students will be able conceptualize all aspects of experimental design across several levels of analysis and will conduct sports related research.
Why Should I Come to USC?
The Master of Science in Biokinesiology with an emphasis in Sports Science prepares graduates to become a member of a multi-disciplinary team for athlete performance and well-being working in athletics, industry and academics.
Our community partners provide students with opportunities to learn in professional and collegiate team settings, sports performance centers and sports technology companies.
Metabolic testing
Biomechanical testing
Force plate testing
Player tracking devices
Portable metabolic testing
Player tracking
Exercise prescription
Body COMposition
Prerequisites
Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or higher with a science major or equivalent. Courses completed at the time of application must include work in chemistry, mathematics, physics and biology (with appropriate laboratory study).
Course work in anatomy, physiology, calculus, histology, kinesiology, trigonometry, analytical geometry, exercise physiology and biochemistry is highly recommended. Candidates should have some degree of computer literacy.
Those interested in the field of data analytics should have completed coursework in statistics, calculus, linear algebra and have some knowledge of basic programming language.
International applicants will be considered on a special evaluation of credentials. Students deficient in certain prerequisites may be admitted subject to completion of requirements within two years after admission.
Curriculum
32 units are required
Required Courses (22 units)
Elective CourseS (8 units)
Summative Research Experience (2 units)
Required courses
The required courses ensure that graduates are 1) conversant in physiological, biomechanical and neurological basis of movement, 2) able to conceptualize all aspects of experimental design across several levels of analysis and 3) are able to apply conceptual principles to practical settings.
BKN551 Musculoskeletal and Biomechanical basis of Mvmt (4)
BKN 552 Physiological basis of voluntary movement (4 units)
BKN 553 Experimental methods for the study of human movement (4 units)
BKN 600 Sports Science internship (2 units)
PM 510 Principles of biostatistics (4 units)
BKN 590 Directed research~ Summative Research Experience (minimum 2 units)
Electives
Elective courses give students advanced skills necessary to excel in a specialized area related to sport and exercise. The following are examples of electives offered in the program.
BKN611: Technology in Sport: Physiological Assessments
BKN610: Technology in Sport: Field Assessment of Athlete Performance
BKN 560: Movement Analysis for Sport
BKN630: Resistance Training Techniques for High Performance Athletes
PM566: Introduction to Health Data Science
BKN599: Advanced Data Analysis for Movement Science
BKN563: Biomechanics of Human Motion
BKN 563: Advanced Biomechanics
* Electives in relevant course offered in Viterbi School of Engineering, Keck School’s Department of Preventative Medicine, Dornsife’s Departments of Biology and Psychology may apply toward degree.
Summative Research Experience
There is no Division requirement for a Master’s thesis or Comprehensive Examination. Instead, students are required to complete a summative research experience. The culminating event of the summative research experience can include, but is not limited to, the following: 1) Poster presentation at the Division Research Day or at a state or national conference, or 2) Oral presentation at Division Seminar or at a state or national conference.
Application
Applications deadline for the MS program Sports Science emphasis is January 1st
The application process for the M.S. Program involves the following components
1. USC GRADUATE ADMISSION APPLICATION
Complete a USC Graduate Application on-line.
2. OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS
3. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
Statement should address how the applicant’s academic training and/or experience qualify them for the program and how the program will help the applicant meet their professional goals.
4. RECOMMENDATIONS
Applicants are required to have three letters of recommendation.
5. TOEFL or IELTS EXAM
Required for International Applicants only.
Contact Us
For more information or to schedule a visit email info@sportscience.usc.edu
Visit the Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy website for more information regarding the Biokinesiology graduate and research programs.
Follow us on twitter @USCSportsSci and Instagram @uscsportssci