Message from Dr. Philip E. Martin Chair and Professor
We are pleased that you are looking at our Department
through our home page. Now is a time of exciting growth and development
for health and human performance (see our mission statement).
Our Department has a young and dynamic faculty with dedicated
interests in teaching, scholarship (click on recent publications),
outreach, and service activities. We have a nice distribution
of faculty over our two primary areas of work: biological basis
of physical activity, and behavioral basis of physical activity.
Within the biological basis we include analysis and control of
movement (biomechanics and motor control) and exercise physiology
(biochemistry and clinical). The behavioral basis includes physical
activity and health, exercise psychology, and physical education
pedagogy.
Our
major is the 5th largest in undergraduate enrollment at ISU with
about 800 students seeking a B. S. in Health and Human Performance.
Once an undergraduate student completes their core courses, they
can choose from options in athletic training (CAAHEP approved),
community and public health, science (often used for pre-PT,
pre-Med, and pre-OT), fitness/health management, and physical
education (licensure). Dance is also included in Kinesiology. We offer
both educational and performing dance classes (including an interdisciplinary
major) as well as several dance performance groups. For undergraduates
many exciting internship opportunities are available in Iowa, the U.S.,
and internationally. Kinesiology has three undergraduate advisors who work with students and plan their
educational programs and internships. We pride ourselves in our
attention and concern for undergraduate majors.
Our
graduate programs include the M.S., M.Ed., and Ph.D. and our graduate
enrollment is about 60 students. Within each degree are two options:
behavioral basis of physical activity and biological basis of
physical activity. The M.S. requires a thesis while the M.Ed.
is for students with more applied interests and requires a culminating
experience but not a thesis. We accept only full-time students
in the Ph.D. program and we support them with graduate assistantships/fellowships.
In
support of all graduate programs we have the Human Performance
Laboratories with the latest equipment in applied motor development,
biomechanics, exercise biochemistry, clinical exercise physiology,
exercise psychology, motor control and learning, and physical
activity and health. In addition we offer clinical and research
opportunities in various settings including local hospitals, health
clubs, schools, sport teams, and many others.
Kinesiology
has outstanding facilities including a large and well-maintained
building named after our former chair and long-time faculty member,
Dr. Barbara Forker. The building has numerous research and teaching
laboratories, a computer lab, three gymnasia, a fitness center,
two dance studios, a pool, offices, and classrooms (all with electronic
equipment). We also use several other facilities on campus including
the student recreation center. We have excellent outdoor facilities
including tennis courts, a golf practice area, and field space.
Finally,
our Department is very concerned about outreach activities. We
run the Exercise Clinic that serves faculty, staff, Iowa Department
of Public Safety, and the community. We have a contract with the
Iowa State Police for medical and fitness assessment. We offer
an elective physical activity program for students; over 100 sections
are offered each year with more than 2,000 students enrolled.
We offer summer sport programs, physical education for Ames
home-schooled and special needs children,
and work closely with local hospitals, schools, health/fitness
clubs, and sport teams.
Look
over the material on our home page. Iowa State University is a quality Research I and AAU
institution. Ames is a wonderful small town; in fact
in several evaluations it was identified as one of the best cities
in which to live with a population of about 50,000. The Department
of Health and Human Performance cares about its students. Join
us in promoting health, fitness, sport, and physical activity.
Working in our field is rewarding and fun.
Phillip E. Martin
Chair and Professor
Strengths of the Health and Human Performance curricula at
Iowa State
- Nationally recognized faculty
- Well-equipped laboratories in exercise physiology,
biomechanics, motor control, motor development/pedagogy, health
promotion and exercise, exercise psychology for both undergraduate
and graduate students.
- Nation-wide internship placements at excellent
sites -- inner-city and overseas opportunities for diverse experiences
- Research opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students
- Opportunities to work with men's and women's
varsity athletic teams, as well as community high school athletes
- Professional conference and field trip opportunities
- Student organizations such as the Association
for Worksite Health Promotion, Athletic Training Pre-PT, and
the Health and Human Performance Majors Club
- Excellent computer labs equipped with tutorial assistance
- Professional advisors for course selection,
planning and career advice
- Excellent record of career placement for students upon graduation
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