The doctoral concentration in exercise physiology is designed to prepare students for careers in teaching, research, and/or clinical settings.

Students who pursue the concentration in exercise physiology have opportunities to participate in research exploring the relationship between exercise and the various physiological systems, and the interaction of exercise with such factors as diet and disease across the lifespan.

In addition to specific coursework in physiology of exercise, all students will study research design and practice through additional required coursework and research practicum experience.  Students are expected to present dissertation results at national/international conferences and to publish their work in leading peer-reviewed journals

Degree Requirements

Students must complete all MSU and KIN requirements for the PhD degree, including area of concentration, breadth requirement, supporting area cognate, research cognate, research practicum, comprehensive exams, and dissertation. The exact program of study is specified in an individual program plan approved by the student’s guidance committee. Typical courses in the exercise physiology concentration include:

Core courses in exercise physiology

• KIN 810 – Metabolic Responses to Exercise (3 credits)
• KIN 811 – Methods of Physiological Evaluation and Exercise Prescription (2 credits)
• KIN 812 – Cardiorespiratory Responses to Exercise (3 credits)
• KIN 813 – Neuromuscular Responses to Exercise (3 credits)
• KIN 814 – Endocrine Responses to Exercise (3 credits)
• KIN 910 – Current Issues in Exercise Physiology (3-9 credits)

Other courses often included in the program plan

• PSL 431-432 – Human Physiology I and II (3 credits)
• CEM 351-352- Organic Chemistry I and II (3 credits)
• BCH 401 – Basic Biochemistry (4 credits) or
  BCH 461-462 – Biochemistry I and II (6 credits)
• BCH 802 – Metabolic Regulation & Molecular Endocrinology (4 credits) or BCH 831 – Physiological Biochemistry (4 credits)
• KIN 870 – Physical Activity and Well Being (3 credits)
• KIN 990 – Independent Study in Kinesiology (1-6 credits)

Students in the exercise physiology concentration often complete external cognates in areas of study such as physiology, epidemiology, human nutrition, pharmacology, public health, and zoology. Consult the Academic Programs and Description of Courses catalogs for a full listing of academic programs and courses.

Expectations

The majority of KIN doctoral students prepare for careers in higher education; therefore, it is important that they acquire sufficient expertise and experience in research, teaching, and service to prepare for successful careers in the academy. Departmental expectations related to that goal are described in Expectations of Ph.D. Students, and related learning experiences are described in Professional Development Opportunities. These expectations are individualized for students during advising and guidance committee meetings

Admissions

Graduate Studies Secretary
308 W. Circle Drive, Room 134
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824
Phone: (517) 355-4736

Fax: (517) 353-2944
Email: kingrad@msu.edu

Contact Information

Contact the following faculty member about the concentration in exercise physiology.

Dr. Katharine D. Currie
Department of Kinesiology
27Q IM Circle
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824
Phone: (517) 432-4073
Email: curriek4@msu.edu

Dr. David Ferguson
Department of Kinesiology
308 W. Circle Drive, Room 27S
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824
Phone: (517) 355-4763
Email: fergu312@msu.edu

Dr. Karin Pfeiffer
Department of Kinesiology
308 W. Circle Drive, Room 27
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824-1049
Phone: (517) 353-5222
Fax: (517) 355-1689
E-mail: kap@msu.edu