Movement Science consists of three disciplines: biomechanics, exercise physiology or motor control.

Biomechanics applies the principles of classical mechanics to the study of the human body in motion. Students develop the skills to analyze movement and to quantify the internal and external forces acting on or within the body during normal or pathological movement.

Exercise physiology focuses on the body's response to exercise and movement. The curriculum emphasizes the integration of knowledge in such areas as muscle mechanics, anatomy, endocrinology, microbiology, biochemistry, nutrition and systems physiology as they relate to human movement. Exercise physiology lays a foundation for graduate studies and certification for careers in personal fitness training, athletic training, strength and conditioning, coaching and worksite wellness.

Motor control examines the ways movement is learned and controlled through both neural and behavioral mechanisms. Students study such issues as skill acquisition, coordination and motor disorders with respect to balance and locomotion, and eye, head and limb movements. Motor control knowledge is applied in clinical settings such as physical and occupational therapy, the instructional fields of physical education, coaching, music and the arts, as well as ergonomics and human engineering in a variety of industries.

What was your first job after graduation? After graduating from the University of Michigan - Kinesiology, I attended Central Michigan's Physician Assistant Program. My first job after receiving my MS is an Emergency Department job.

How did your education at Michigan help you to get your first job? It gave me a strong academic foundation to work with while attending CMU's PA program.

Did you have any field experience or internship while in college? I did complete three rotations volunteering for the UofM Hospital. I also worked in two Physical Therapy clinics before graduating from Michigan.

Did you face any obstacles getting to your ideal job? I had little difficulty acquiring a position that was ideal for me. Emergency Medicine is something that I have always been fascinated with and my first two job offers were in this area.

In addition to the required courses, are there others that you would suggest that students take? I would take as many science courses as possible if you are a student who wants to pursue Physician Assistant studies. Anatomy, physiology, and microbiology are particularly helpful. A pharmacology course would also be very useful.

Tell us what your day is like. I wake up at 6:00am, study for the physician assistant board exams and then work from noon to 10:00pm. I workout from 10:00pm till midnight. Sleep.

Why did you select Kinesiology and major in Movement Science? Because I was intrigued by the human anatomy and physiology. I wanted to pick a major that would help me pursue a career in the medical field.

What tips can you share with prospective students? Work hard and enjoy your undergraduate career. The effort you put in now will make things a lot easier town the road. Never give up on yourself. It may take a little extra time to reach your goal but you can do it. Best of luck to you.

What was your first job after graduation? My first job was as a physical therapy aide in an outpatient clinic. I dealt mainly with orthopedic patients, but also helped a great deal with patients with neurological diagnoses. My primary responsibilities were teaching patients their home exercises programs, focusing on mechanics, progressing their activity tolerance, and working hand in hand with the therapist to develop the most comprehensive program for the patient possible.

How did your education at Michigan help you to get your first job? The well-rounded education I received through the Division of Kinesiology gave me the background knowledge necessary in order to understand how exercises should be performed properly, how to judge the amount the patient could handle at one time, and how specific activities could help or hinder a person's recovery. My work experience was truly a fantastic opportunity to apply all the theory I had been taught.

Did you have any field experience or internship while in college? I did not, mainly because initially I was a varsity athlete.

Did you face any obstacles getting to your ideal job? None that had to do with anything from Michigan. I transferred into UM as a junior, and had already completed chemistry and physics at another institution. It was those grades that impacted my ability to get into PT school. But after three tries, I was accepted outright at a strong, outstanding program in southern California, I graduated in December 2000, and passed the California State License exam in April.

In addition to the required courses, are there others that you would suggest that students take? If you have any hobbies, like photography, dance, music, etc. I would recommend taking a course to find out more and expand your horizons. If you are planning to go on to graduate school beyond your undergraduate, or even when interviewing for a job, it helps to have that out there to talk about. And, you may as well try to find out more about something you enjoy!

Tell us what your day is like. Now that I am working as a PT, it's a pretty standard day. I work as a lead PT in an acute orthopedic unit at a major hospital in Southern California, and I work a normal 8-hour day. I have to work a day on a weekend every couple of weeks or so. I will typically see 11-12 patients a day, and evaluate 4 patients. The primary focus of our treatments is function, as most of these patients are getting out of bed for the first time after surgery. We'll teach them exercises, and precautions they may have to follow, and, for most, how to walk again!

Why did you select Kinesiology and major in Movement Science? Kinesiology and I were a perfect fit, and the Movement Science major was ideal for me. I had known since I was a teenager that I wanted to go into physical therapy or orthopedic medicine, and I felt I had a strong aptitude for science, especially anatomy and physiology. I originally had attempted to become a Biology major, but when they read my essay about wanting to go into Sports Medicine, they actually called me to discuss switching over to the Division of Kinesiology!

What tips can you share with prospective students? I would highly recommend really trying to explore the areas you like to learn in, even while focusing on your major. Your education will help you develop the knowledge for whatever job you'll have for the rest of your life, but your hobbies and other skills are what will help define you as a person, which is very important to remember!

Did you have any field experience or internship while in college? I had a strength training internship for Michigan football and basketball under J. Michael Gittleson. I did lab research under Dr. Borer.

Did you face any obstacles getting to your ideal job? No. Basically if you find what you want to do, and put forth the effort, things fall into place.

In addition to the required courses, are there others that you would suggest that students take? History of the University of Michigan -- my favorite class ever.

Tell me what your day is like? Currently I am rotating through General Surgery on the Hepatobiliary service. I am at the hospital between 4:00-4:15am. I pre-round on my patients, then have formal rounds with the chief resident. Depending on the day, we have lectures or attending rounds at 7:00am. After that we cover whatever surgeries are booked for the day. In the afternoon we round again and take care of any issues that may have come up throughout the day. I am on overnight call every second to fourth night. When not on call, I arrive home about 7:00pm. The hours are long but I am learning a great deal. When I start my podiatry rotations, my hours will be about 5:30-6:00am to 6:00pm.

Why did you select Kinesiology and major in Movement Science? I wanted to have a career in the health profession, but did not know what field. Kinesiology helped me narrow down the direction or path I wanted to take.

What tips can you share with prospective students? Go to Europe on holiday. I had many opportunities in college but didn't go, and am kicking myself now.