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KIN 255Fundamentals of Neuroscience

Units
0.50
Faculty
Health
Subject
Kinesiology

When it runs

  1. F24
  2. W25
  3. S25
  4. F25
  5. W26
  6. S26
  7. F26
  8. W27
  9. S27

Ran in 3 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

An introduction to the principles of the nervous system control of movement, cognition, and learning. The course will introduce the basic structure and function of the nervous system as it relates to understanding the control of movement and behaviour. The course will provide a foundation for understanding the neural mechanisms of learning, recovery from injury to the nervous system, and the factors that determine skilled performance.

Prerequisites

  • Must have completed the following:
    • BIOL273 - Principles of Human Physiology 1 (0.50)
    • PSYCH101 - Introductory Psychology (0.50)

Corequisites

  • Complete all of the following
    • Corequisite is for H-Kinesiology students only
    • Completed or concurrently enrolled in:
      • KIN255L - Fundamentals of Neuroscience Laboratory (0.25)

Antirequisites

None listed.

Leads to

Fall 2026 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
SectionClassEnrolledMeets
LEC 0012918293 / 300MWF 08:30–09:20

Reviewed on UW Flow

67% liked it36% easy92% useful

From 46 ratings and 5 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • took this f25 with richard staines. not a very crammable course; the content may seem like not a lot but he tends to test on more niche details so you still have to know basically everything. the final was worth 50% so i studied harder for it and did a lot better on it than the midterm

    Dec 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • I took this class with Sean Meehan in F2022. The class was enjoyable and engaging but the grading was difficult. 50% final, 35% midterm, and best 3/4 quizzes for 5% each. Overall, a fun course but will take much effort to get a solid grade

    Dec 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Kin 255 is a very content heavy course. Sean doesn't give any assignments, only 4 quizzes. You need to make connections between every module to solidify your learning since everything is connected in some way. Drawing diagrams helps a lot too. You need to consistently review concepts throughout the term to keep up with what is being covered. I thought that the midterm and final were fair but still difficult. This course probably took up the most amount of time for me even though there were no assignments.

    Dec 2022 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • An intro to sensory neuroscience, reflexes, motor control, balance and postural control, memory, and neuroplasticity. Interesting content if you like neuroscience, but can be difficult to grasp.

    Dec 2022 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Best class !

    May 2013 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

One post or comment in 1 thread mentions KIN 255, February 2022 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.

Winter 2022

Taking KIN 104 and 104L as exchange student 4 points, 4 comments

“Hi there, I got accepted to UW on exchange for the upcoming fall term and have some freedom in just picking random courses. …”

u/Jealous-Cry8998: “Hey, upper year kin student here. If you have a passion for healthcare/health/sports then this is a great introduction to kinesiology course, quite easy and covers a wide variety of topics. …”

u/7BluePanda: “… If you don't mind me asking, how about KIN 255 if you have taken that. What did you think of that course? (And is there also equipment needed for KIN 255L?) That was another course I was considering, though I miss a bit of the prereq. …”

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Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar