Program Description

The M.S. and Ph.D.  exercise science specializations in Exercise Physiology are research programs designed for advanced study and research related to physiological responses and adaptations to acute and chronic physical activity. The M.S. degree program prepares individuals for doctoral-level graduate work and may lead to careers in allied health professions, adult fitness/health promotion, teaching, coaching and research. The Ph.D. degree prepares individuals for careers in universities, government, private industry, or allied health fields.

Faculty

Dr. Ellen Evans, Dr. Kevin McCully, Dr. Michael Schmidt and Dr. Lesley White are advisors for students in the program. Dr. Evans research involves study of the effect of habitual physical activity and nutrition on body composition and health, and the effect of aging on women’s health. Dr. McCully’s research involves the effects of aging and disease on muscle metabolism and functional capacity, including the relationship among oxidative metabolism, oxygen delivery, and blood flow. Dr. Schmidt is a physical activity epidemiologist whose research focuses on: the prevention and health consequences of obesity, especially in childhood; improving methods to measure physical activity in diverse populations; and, the effects of physical activity during pregnancy on maternal and child health. Dr. White’s research involves studies of the effects of resistance training on functional performance and secondary disease risk in clinical populations.

Admission

Admission to the program is competitive and based on the student’s prior academic record, graduate record exam (GRE) scores, recommendations, and research interests. Minimum requirements include a GRE score (verbal + quantitative) of 1000, an undergraduate grade point average of 2.6 (master’s) or 3.0 (doctoral), a graduate grade point average of 3.5 (doctoral) and, in the case of foreign students, a score of 213 on the Internet Based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam. Applications from minorities are encouraged. Preference is given to students who have strong basic and exercise science backgrounds, and who have research interests compatible with one of the faculty advisors. Students not accepted into the M.S. program may qualify for admission into the M.Ed. program in clinical exercise physiology. For students interested in an assistantship, admission applications should be completed before February 1.

Prerequisites

Prerequisites for the specialization include a background in physical and biological science, including, physics, chemistry through organic, biology and physiology. Math through integral calculus is recommended. Students are expected to have an undergraduate or master’s degree in exercise science or an appropriate related field. Under most circumstances a Ph.D. applicant will have completed a master’s degree and thesis or equivalent before being admitted. Alternatively, a Ph.D. applicant can be admitted with a bachelor’s degree if he/she meets the following Graduate School criterion: undergraduate GPA x 1000 + GRE verbal + GRE quantitative > 4300.

Program of Study

M.S. degree. The program of study is developed by the student and major professor based on the student’s backgrounds, interests, and career goals. Requirements for the degree include completion of 24 semester hours of course work and a thesis. Course work must include at least 12 semester hours, exclusive of independent study, in the Exercise Science Department, including two courses in exercise physiology and one in research methods (KINS 7150). Courses in descriptive (ERSH 6300) and inferential (ERSH 8310) statistics also are required. Completion of the program typically requires two years.

Ph.D. degree. The program of study is developed by the student and a three-person advisory committee based on the student’s background, interests, and career goals. A minimum of 30 semester hours of course work is required. The program is designed to provide in-depth knowledge in the area of specialization and proficiency in designing and conducting research. Students are expected to be involved in research throughout their Ph.D. program. The program requires approximately three to four years for those who have previously completed a master’s degree.

Course work required of all Ph.D. candidates in the Exercise Science Department includes: 4 hours of research seminar (KINS 8990), statistics (ERSH 8310 and 8320), and a minimum of 3 hours of doctoral dissertation (KINS 9300D). Courses taken as part of the master’s degree can be used to fulfill requirements.

Courses commonly taken in addition to those listed above are typically selected from:

KINS 6090 Exercise Physiology II
KINS 6300 Exercise Epidemiology
KINS 6320 Physical Activity and Aging
KINS 6600 Measurement and surveillance of Physical Activity
KINS 7000 Master’s Research
KINS 7140 Current Problems in Exercise Science
KINS 7310 Adult Fitness and Cardiac Rehabilitation
KINS 7330 Metabolic and Cardiorespiratory Aspects of Exercise
KINS 8300 Advanced Topics in Exercise Physiology
KINS 8320 Evaluation of Human Neuromuscular Performance
KINS 8410 Neuromuscular Mechanisms in Exercise
KINS 8420 Muscle Energetics and Oxygen Transport During Exercise
KINS 9000 Doctoral Research
KINS 9630 Directed Reading in Exercise Science

VPHY 6090 Comparative Mammalian Physiology
VPHY 6100 Comparative Mammalian Physiology
PHRM 8000 Advanced Cardiovascular Physiology
PHRM 8420 Cardiovascular Pharmacology
VPHY 8010 Mammalian Cell Physiology
VPHY 8120 Renal and Fluid-electrolyte Physiology
CBIO 6737 Endocrinology
VPHY 6050 Animal Physiological Chemistry
PHRM 6050 Laboratory Techniques in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
GRNT 6010 Physical Aging
FDNS 6400 Advanced Macronutrients
ERSH 8510 Multivariate Methods

Descriptions of these courses may be found in the Graduate School Bulletin.

Laboratory Facilities

The Department of Kinesiology has well-equipped Aging and Physical Performance, Biomechanics, Metabolism and Body Composition, Exercise Psychology, Exercise Vascular Biology, Cognition and Skill Acquisition, Athletic Training, and Neruromusular Physiology Laboratories that are actively involved in applied and basic exercise physiology research. A separate Fitness Center conducts Adult Fitness, Cardiac Rehabilitation, and Senior Adult programs for University faculty/staff and the Athens Community.

Assistantships

Assistantships are available on a competitive basis that require working in the Exercise Physiology Laboratories (teaching and research), or Fitness Center (fitness program), or teaching in the Basic Physical Education Program. Graduate School research assistantships and out-of-state tuition waivers are also available to highly qualified applicants.

For additional information on this program contact:

Dr. Ellen Evans
706-542-4395
emevans@uga.edu

Dr. Kevin McCully
706-542-1129
mccully@uga.edu

Dr. Michael Schmidt
706-542-6577
schmidtm@uga.edu

Dr. Lesley White
706-542-4462
ljwhite@uga.edu

Department of Kinesiology
University of Georgia
300 River Rd.
Athens, GA 30602-6554

For more information on admission please contact:

Melissa Farmer
Department of Kinesiology
Ramsey Student Center
University of Georgia
330 River Rd.
Athens, GA 30602-6554
Phone: (706) 542-4378
Fax: (706) 542-3417
Email: kins@uga.edu

Application Procedures