The Department of Kinesiology provides a research-intensive environment that offers students a unique opportunity to participate in and contribute to faculty research. Students may earn academic credit through the 6-unit or 9-unit Senior Thesis course while gaining valuable research experience.
KINESIOL 4RR6 and KINESIOL 4RR9 are two-term inquiry courses that provide students with the opportunity to conduct original research, collect and analyze data, and develop laboratory skills under the supervision of a full-time faculty member or Associate Member of the Department.
KINESIOL 4RR6 involves an independent research project under the supervision of a faculty member in the Department of Kinesiology. Students develop a research proposal, complete a literature review, design a methodology, collect and analyze data, prepare a research report, and deliver an oral presentation. Students should expect a time commitment of approximately 8–10 hours per week.
KINESIOL 4RR9 follows the same thesis structure but involves a larger research commitment. Students develop a research proposal, conduct original research, analyze findings, prepare a written thesis, and deliver an oral presentation. Students should expect a time commitment of approximately 12–15 hours per week.
Upon successful completion of either thesis course, students should be able to:
Enrollment in KINESIOL 4RR6 or KINESIOL 4RR9 requires registration in Level IV Honours Kinesiology, a minimum GPA of 8.5, permission from a Kinesiology Faculty Supervisor, and successful completion of STATS 2B03 and KINESIOL 3RM3.
If the Faculty Supervisor is not a member of the Department of Kinesiology, a Kinesiology Faculty Co-Supervisor must be identified and approved.
Please Note: Concurrent registration in KINESIOL 3RP3 is not permitted. Students may not enroll in KINESIOL 4RR6 and KINESIOL 4RR9 simultaneously.
Students must complete either the KINESIOL 4RR6 Thesis Enrollment Application or the KINESIOL 4RR9 Thesis Enrollment Application
Completed applications should be submitted to the Undergraduate Studies Academic Program Advisor via email at kinug@mcmaster.ca or in person in IWC 219C.
Yes. It is the student’s responsibility to find a supervisor for a thesis prior to submitting forms. This requires planning for your placement before the deadlines for forms.
Concurrent registration in KINESIOL 3RP3 is not permitted. KINESIOL 3RP3 functions as a great introduction to this course.
Submit approval forms to the Academic Program Advisor and if you meet the requirements, permission will be coded to allow you to register in the course on your MOSAIC account. Note: The GPA requirement will be verified by the end of May and if you do not meet the required 8.5 both you and your supervisor will be notified that you are not eligible to enroll.
MOSAIC will not allow you to register in conflicting courses. You are required to attend all lecture components of the course.
Once registered in Mosaic for KINESIOL 4RR6A/KINESIOL 4RR9A, you will automatically be enrolled in KINESIOL 4RR6B/KINESIOL 4RR9B for the Winter term.