PhD in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology with Emphasis in Nutrition
About the Program
The PhD in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology with an Emphasis in Nutrition provides advanced training aligned with core competencies established by the American Society for Nutrition, including research skills; nutrient structure, metabolism, and function; food and dietary supplements; nutritional assessment; nutrition and disease; nutrition interventions and policy; and analytical methods. Students also receive training in laboratory research, seminars, scientific writing, problem‑solving, and grant writing. The program is supported by a strong interdisciplinary research environment at the University of Missouri, with access to multiple research centers including the Botanical Center, the Life Sciences Center, and the MU Nutritional Center for Health (MUNCH).
Nutrition is an applied, multidisciplinary science that integrates principles from biochemistry, physiology, biology, psychology, sociology, and economics. A primary research focus of the program is the role of diet in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases prevalent in the United States, including obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, immune disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases.
A distinguishing feature of this Nutrition program is the integration of physical activity and exercise into coursework and research, reflecting the interconnected roles of diet and physical activity in human health. Research in the program examines specific dietary components—such as macronutrients, micronutrients, phytochemicals, and functional foods—for their effects on health and disease.
Another major area of investigation focuses on the determinants of eating behavior, including neuropsychological, sociological, and economic influences. Faculty and students employ a wide range of investigative approaches, including epidemiological studies, clinical trials, human intervention studies, experimental and transgenic animal models, and cultured cell systems.
Degree Requirements
A total of 75 hours beyond the bachelor's degree, including but not limited to courses from the emphasis areas are required; courses from the Masters degree may be counted at the discretion of the student's committee. At least 15 of the 75 hours must be at the 8000/9000 level (exclusive of research, problems and independent study experiences).
Graduate students may elect to take suggested courses from the following focus areas:
- Human/Clinical Nutrition
- Public Health Nutrition
- Behavioral Science
- Food Science
- Biochemistry/Cell Physiology
A list of possible courses that fall within these areas can be found on the program's website.
| Required Core Courses | ||
| NEP 7340 | Human Nutrition II Lecture | 3 |
| NEP 8310 | Nutritional Biochemistry of Lipids | 3 |
| NEP 8340 | Nutrition in Human Health | 3 |
| NEP 8501 | Hot Topics in Nutrition, Exercise and Disease | 3 |
| NEP 8870 | Exercise Metabolism | 3 |
| NEP 9087 | Doctorate Seminar in Nutritional Sciences and Exercise Physiology | 4 |
| NEP 9090 | Doctorate Research in Nutritional Sciences and Exercise Physiology | 12 |
| BIOCHM 7270 & BIOCHM 7272 | Biochemistry and Biochemistry | 6 |
| Research Ethics (select 1-2 hours) | ||
| BIOCHM 8060 | Ethical Conduct of Research | 1 |
| BIO_SC 8060 | Ethical Conduct of Research | 1 |
| MPP 8415 | Responsible Conduct of Research thru Engagement, Enactment and Empowerment NIH and other Federal Age | 2 |
| Statistics (pick two courses) | ||
| ESC_PS 7170 | Introduction to Applied Statistics | 3 |
| ESC_PS 8850 | Quantitative Foundations in Educational Research | 3 |
| ESC_PS 9650 | Application of Multivariate Analysis in Educational Research | 3 |
| STAT 7070 | Statistical Methods for Research | 3 |
| STAT 7510 | Applied Statistical Models I | 3 |
| STAT 7520 | Applied Statistical Models II | 3 |
| STAT 7540 | Experimental Design | 3 |
| Research Methods and Techniques | ||
| NEP 7500 | Research in Nutritional Sciences and Exercise Physiology | 1-99 |
| Possible Electives | ||
| AN_SCI 8420 | Endocrinology | 3 |
| BIOCHM 8432 | Enzymology and Metabolic Regulation | 3 |
| F_C_MD 8420 | Principles of Epidemiology | 3 |
| F_S 8440 | Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals | 3 |
| NEP 7970 | PANHP Capstone: Sports Nutrition | 3 |
| NEP 8030 | Etiology of Obesity | 3 |
| SOC_WK 7330 | Addiction Treatment and Prevention | 3 |
Sample Plan of Study
Because students in the PhD program are from a wide variety of circumstances, and pursue the PhD at different paces, a sample plan of study is not easily produced. Students are encouraged to work out their plan of study with their advisor.
Qualifying Process
Nutrition Applicants must pass a Qualifying Exam before a student is officially admitted to the doctoral program. The Qualifying Exam should be completed by the end of the second semester (D1 form should be filed with the Graduate School). The Qualifying Exam consists of a knowledge-based written exam and an oral exam.
Comprehensive Examination Process
A doctoral student must successfully complete the comprehensive examination within a period of three (3) years beginning with the first semester of enrollment as a PhD student. In addition, the program for the doctoral degree must be completed within three (3) years of passing the comprehensive examination. Time spent in the armed services will not count toward the six (6)-year limit (See Graduate School Active Duty Policy). For any extension of either of these time limitations, the student must petition their faculty advisor/mentor and the academic program’s director of graduate studies in writing during the semester prior to reaching the time limitation. The director of graduate studies will notify the advisor in writing of the decision. The two sections of the examination must be completed within one month. A report of this decision (pdf), carrying the signatures of all members of the committee, must be sent to the Graduate School and the student no later than two weeks after the comprehensive examination is completed.
Dissertation Requirements
The dissertation must be written on a subject approved by the candidate's doctoral program committee, must embody the results of original and significant investigation and must be the candidate's own work. All dissertation defenses shall be open to the general faculty. For the dissertation to be successfully defended, the student's doctoral committee must vote to pass the student on the defense with no more than one dissenting or abstaining vote.
Admissions
Applicants are required to meet two sets of minimum qualifications for admission: the requirements of the PhD in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology-Nutrition emphasis and the minimum requirements of the Graduate School. Before official admission to the University of Missouri, application materials will be reviewed by both the Graduate School and the Nutrition and Exercise Physiology Graduate admissions committee. Specific information can be found on the department website.
Nutritional Program PhD Applicants are expected to have undergraduate training (lecture and laboratory courses) in general and organic chemistry and biology, a two-semester course in biochemistry, and an upper-level human nutrition course.
They must have an average GPA of 3.0 or better in science courses (chemistry, biology, physics, biochemistry, mathematics, etc.) taken at an accredited institution.
TOEFL scores are required for all international applicants.
At this time, the program does not accept students into the doctoral program without a master's degree. A student without a master's degree who would like to pursue a doctoral degree must apply to the master’s graduate program. Once accepted into the master's program it is possible to apply and transfer to the doctoral program after the first year of graduate study. Specified criteria must be met for the transfer to be approved by the Nutrition and Exercise Physiology (NEP) Graduate Admissions Committee. Please contact the Division or the NEP Director of Graduate Studies for more information on this subject.
Deadline for Applications is December 30th. While applications received after that date will still be considered, they will not be eligible for all fellowships.
Minimum TOEFL Scores
| Internet-based test (iBT) |
|---|
| 100 |
GRE Scores - the department is no longer requiring GRE scores
Complete instructions for applying to the program can be found on the programs website: Nutrition and Exercise Physiology grad studies.