New Student Registration: Bachelor of Science in Human Kinetics

1. The Academic Calendar refers to “Arts X”, “Arts Y”, “Science A” and “Science B”. What do these mean?
“Science A” and “Science B” are terms that are normally used only in the stream in which a student does a minor in one science subject. Science A is your minor, in which you will have to complete a total of 24 credits over the duration of your degree. Science B is your second science, in which you are required to complete 6 credits.

“Arts X” and “Arts Y” are terms used in all Bachelor of Science in Human Kinetics streams. You are required to complete a “pair” in one arts subject. (A "pair" is 12 credits in one subject; for full definition, please see the "Glossary of Terms".)  This is your Arts X.  In addition, you are required to complete 6 credits in a second arts subject. This is your Arts Y.

2. I am interested in Development Studies, but there is only one 3-credit course available at the 100-level. What else should I take in the other semester to fill out my schedule?
You can take a 3-credit course from any of the other arts and science subjects listed above.  If you decide to do a pair in DEVS, you can complete your additional 9 credits in future years.

3. I am interested in English, but there is only one 3-credit course available at the 100-level.  What else should I take in the other semester to fill out my schedule?
You can take a 3-credit course from any of the other arts (or science) subjects listed above.  If you choose ENGL 111 in the first term, you can also choose any 200-level English course that is offered in the second semester, subject to availability. However, most second-term English courses are likely to be full before first-year registration opens, so this option may not be a possibility for you.

4. I am interested in Public Policy and Governance, but there is only one 3-credit course available at the 100-level.  What else should I take in the other semester to fill out my schedule?
You can take a 3-credit course from any of the other arts and science subjects listed above. If you decide to do a pair in PGOV, you can complete your additional 9 credits in future years.

5. I am interested in Sport Management.  Can I take courses in this subject?
You can take SMGT 101 (as an open elective course) in the first or second term. Please note that Sport Management can only be a minor in the BA Human Kinetics and the Business programs.  If you are interested in pursuing Sport Management as a Minor, you would need to change your program to the BA in Human Kinetics.

6. What if I am interested in an honours degree?
Course selection is no different for first year. You may wish to check table 7.1.5 in the Academic Calendar for grade and average requirements, so that you are aware of the grades you will need for admission to this program at the end of third year.

7. Is it true that I can complete a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition in one year after completing my Bachelor of Science in Human Kinetics with the Nutrition Minor stream?
Yes. With careful course planning, you most certainly can. The Human Kinetics and the Human Nutrition sections of the Academic Calendar each outline the courses needed to complete these two degrees in five years. You may also want to meet with an academic advisor if you have questions about this program.

8. I want to do a Bachelor of Education degree after I complete my Human Kinetics degree. Are there any particular courses that I should be taking?
This answer will be given in the context of the StFX B.Ed. program. You should understand that each university to which you might want to apply could have slightly different admission requirements, and you should do some research on each university in which you might be interested. Overall, the admission requirements will be similar in many ways, but there will definitely be differences, and you’ll want to try to incorporate those different requirements into your HKIN degree.

At StFX, as at other universities, there are two basic streams of study in the B.Ed. program: elementary and secondary. The full explanations of these programs are found in the Academic Calendar, chapter 6. If you are interested in the B.Ed. program, you are strongly advised to read that section and to attend information sessions offered by the Faculty of Education (normally in October). The earlier you make yourself aware of the requirements for that program, the easier it will be to tailor your HKIN degree to fulfill the necessary requirements. The Faculty of Education loves to see first-year students attend those information sessions!

StFX also offers an option for Human Kinetics students to obtain a Bachelor of Arts in Human Kinetics and a B.Ed. concurrently in a 5-year program.  More information on this program can be accessed through the Human Kinetics department or through the Human Kinetics Advisor in the Academic Advising department.

Following is a summary of section 6.1.3 and 6.1.4, with information as it pertains directly to courses offered at StFX.

For the elementary stream, there are four basic requirements:

(i) 6 credits of social studies from any one or any combination of the following disciplines: history, economics, political science, anthropology, sociology and/or philosophy.  Introductory courses in any of these subjects will fulfill these credits.
(ii) 6 credits of mathematics. The most common choices are MATH 101 and 102. An alternative is 6 credits of calculus, MATH 106 and 107.  A third option is 6 credits from MATH 101, 102, 105, 106; or one of these 3-credit courses plus 3 credits of statistics.  6 credits of statistics is not acceptable for this requirement.
(iii) 6 credits of English. ENGL 111 and a 200-level ENGL course would fulfill this requirement.
(iv) 6 credits of science. Your required first-year HKIN 161 and 162 will fulfill this requirement.

So if you’re interested in the elementary stream of the B.Ed., and you plan to take 6 credits of arts courses this year, it would be wise for you to choose 6 credits of the English or social studies requirements outlined above.  If you are intending a minor in mathematics, you will be taking your math requirement this year, as well.  You can take any remaining requirements in later years.

For the secondary stream, there are two basic requirements:

(i) “Major Subject Field”: A minimum of 30 credits of university coursework in one discipline of a subject field taught in Nova Scotia secondary schools. For you, this will be “Physical Education”, and the required HKIN courses in your program will more than satisfy this requirement.
(ii) “Minor Subject Field”: A minimum of 18 credits of university coursework in one discipline of a second subject field taught in Nova Scotia secondary schools. Allowable subject fields are English; French; Social Studies (all 18 credits must be in one of the related disciplines: economics, history, political science, sociology, or anthropology); Mathematics; Science (all 18 credits must be in one of the related disciplines: biology, chemistry, Earth sciences, or physics); Fine Arts (studio art or music); Gaelic; Spanish; Family Studies (which is not possible within the framework of the HKIN degrees); Business (which is not possible within the framework of the HKIN degrees). 

If you’re interested in the secondary stream of the B.Ed., you should think about which of the “Minor Subject Field” options you would want to choose. As a student in the BSc in Human Kinetics, you would need to choose mathematics or one of the other sciences. Ultimately, the minor you choose for your BSC HKIN degree will be your “Minor Subject Field” in a B.Ed. program.  You will be following the "minor in one science" stream in you intend to pursue an education degree.​