PhD in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology with Emphasis in Exercise Physiology
Degree Requirements
Students previous coursework must include biology, chemistry, anatomy, physiology and exercise physiology to be considered. It is also advantageous to have organic chemistry, biochemistry and some nutrition.
The PhD program in Exercise Physiology requires 75 hours beyond the bachelor's degree. A committee of 4 faculty members must approve all graduate courses, including those from other universities. The graduate course work includes coursework in exercise physiology, physiology, nutrition and biochemistry. Research requirements include NEP 7500 (9 hours of research projects) and NEP 9090 (12 hours dissertation). One semester of teaching experience is highly recommended, as is participation on an external grant proposal and co-authoring two manuscripts. NEP 8850 Advanced Exercise Physiology is used as your competency course a grade of B or better is required. If the student has a similar course in their transfer courses from a masters, then another course will be used - this must be approved by the graduate director and committee.
Note: Masters courses may be transferred from other institutions (30 hours maximum), and may count toward the doctoral program at the discretion of the student's committee (3 members in dept., 1 member outside).
| Required Core Courses | ||
| NEP 7340 | Human Nutrition II Lecture | 3 |
| NEP 8220 | Cardiovascular Disease and Exercise | 3 |
| NEP 8501 | Hot Topics in Nutrition, Exercise and Disease (minimum of 3 hrs.) | 1 |
| NEP 8850 | Advanced Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| NEP 8860 | Exercise Endocrinology | 3 |
| NEP 8870 | Exercise Metabolism | 3 |
| NEP 9087 | Doctorate Seminar in Nutritional Sciences and Exercise Physiology (minimum of 4 hrs.) | 1 |
| NEP 9090 | Doctorate Research in Nutritional Sciences and Exercise Physiology | 12 |
| BIOCHM 7270 & BIOCHM 7272 | Biochemistry and Biochemistry | 6 |
| or BIOCHM 8240 | Introduction to Graduate Biochemistry I | |
| Research Ethics (select 1-2 hrs.) | 1-2 | |
| 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 |
| V_PBIO 8641 | Introduction to Research Ethics | 1 |
| 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 (minimum of 2 hrs.) | ||
| NEP 7500 | Research in Nutritional Sciences and Exercise Physiology | 1-99 |
| Suggested Electives | ||
| NEP 7970 | PANHP Capstone: Sports Nutrition | 3 |
| NEP 8030 | Etiology of Obesity | 3 |
| NEP 8125 | Preventive and Therapeutic Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| NEP 8127 | Advanced Physiological Assessment and Exercise Prescription | 3 |
| NEP 8310 | Nutritional Biochemistry of Lipids | 3 |
| NEP 8340 | Nutrition in Human Health | 3 |
| V_BSCI 9435 | Molecular Exercise Biology | 3 |
| NEP 8085 | Problems in Nutritional Sciences and Exercise Physiology (independent study, can take more than one) | 1-99 |
| BIOCHM 8260 | Macromolecular Systems Integration | 4 |
| MPP 7422 | Medical Physiology | 4 |
| MPP 9426 | Transmembrane Signaling | 4 |
| MPP 9434 | Microvascular Physiology | 4 |
| BIOCHM 9432 | Molecular Biology II | 4 |
Sample Plan of Study
Because students in the PhD program are from a wide variety of disciplines, 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
NEP 8850 Advanced Exercise Physiology is used as your competency course and the student must pass with the grade of B or better. If the student comes in with a master’s course similar to NEP 8850, then another course can be used as the competency course and will be approved by the committee and graduate director (e.g. NEP 8870 Exercise Metabolism).
Comprehensive Examination Process
Candidacy for a doctoral degree is established by passing the comprehensive examination. The comprehensive examination includes written and oral sections and is completed as the candidate is completing the prescribed coursework.
Dissertation Requirements
The dissertation must be written on a subject approved by the candidates doctoral program committee, must embody the results of original and significant investigation and must be the candidates 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
Deadline for Fall entrance: Dec 30
Minimum TOEFL Scores
| Internet-based test (iBT) | Paper-based test (PBT) |
|---|---|
| 100 | 600 |
GRE Scores - this department no longer requires the GRE
Exercise and Physiology Program Applicants must have a 3.00 undergraduate GPA and a 3.5 graduate GPA. TOEFL scores are required from international applicants. Specific information can be found on the department website: NEP graduate program.
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 Nutritional Sciences Graduate Admissions Committee. Please contact the department 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.
Complete instructions for applying to the program can be found on the programs website: NEP graduate program.