Application deadline for the PhD program is Dec 30th and the MS program is Feb 15th. We may have assistantships available.
The focus of the program is physical inactivity, exercise and nutrition strategies for weight management and the prevention of lifestyle related diseases. Our faculty continually develop new knowledge in exercise training, exercise metabolism and obesity.
The mission of the program is to train graduate students who will provide professional leadership and research developments in the areas of human health.
The curriculum has a scientific basis with core courses in exercise physiology, nutrition, biochemistry, and physiology. Exercise physiology research emphasizes human studies, but other exercise models are available on campus, including the pig (Vet. Biomedical Sci.) and the rat (Medical School and VA).
Teaching and research assistantships are available on a competitive basis.
Requirements
Beginning in the fall of 2013, MS students in Exercise Physiology will be able to choose between two options within the MS Exercise Physiology: a thesis option or an internship option. The course curriculum will be the same for both options.
Thesis option: students will gain experience in the design and implementation of research within the field of Exercise Science, culminating in a written thesis. Internship option: students will gain experience in a work environment through culminating experience of an internship completed in an area allied to Exercise Science.
Customize your MS degree! Make this degree your own!
Students will gain the exercise knowledge culminating in an internship in Exercise Science but have the opportunity to complete a certificate in another field, by using these classes in your electives. For example, students can get a certificate in Public Health or Global Public Health by selecting their electives in public health. Examples of other options for certificates are journalism, science teaching, statistics, etc. Make this degree your own.
Sample curriculum for the public health certificate option are available at the links. Masters: Exercise Physiology+Public Health or Global Public Health.
Graduating from our MS program will provide the student with the preparation for credentialing from organizations including the American College of Sports Medicine (ASCM) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Completion of this degree as well as obtaining certification will prepare students for careers such as registered clinical exercise physiologists, strength and conditioning coaching, personal trainer or wellness coach, health/fitness instructor, as well as in other health professions.
Courses (36 credits total)
| Course Title | Hours |
|---|---|
| Chemistry (CHEM gen. & organic-optional) | 10 hours |
| PTH_AS 2201 Anatomy | 3 hours |
| MPP 3202 Elements of Physiology | 5 hours |
| NEP 2340 Human Nutrition | 3 hours |
| NEP 4850 Exercise Physiology | 3 hours |
| Course Title | Hours |
|---|---|
| NEP 8850 Advanced Exercise Physiology | 3 hours |
| NEP 8220 Cardiovascular Disease and Exercise | 3 hours |
| NEP 8860 Exercise Endocrinology | 3 hours |
| ESC_PS 7170: Introduction to Applied Statistics or an equivalent statistics class |
3 hours |
| NEP 7500 Research in NEP (mandatory for thesis track; optional for internship track) | 3 hours |
| NEP 8125 Preventive and Therapeutic Exercise Physiology | 3 hours |
| NEP 8127 Advanced Exercise Testing and Prescription | 3 hours |
| NEP 8087 Masters Seminar | 2 hours |
| NEP 8090 Master’s Thesis Research or 8095 Master’s Internship | 4 hours |
| Course Title | Hours |
|---|---|
| NEP 8030 Etiology of Obesity | 3 hours |
| NEP 7340 Human Nutrition II | 3 hours |
| NEP 7970 Sports Nutrition | 3 hours |
| NEP 8340 Nutrition in Human Health | 3 hours |
Other courses are also acceptable from MPP, Biomedical Sciences, Animal Sciences, Public Health, etc.
| Course Title | Hours |
|---|---|
| NEP 7200 Sports Performance and Conditioning | 3 hours |
| NEP 7500 Research in NEP | 3 hours |
| BIOCHEM 7270 Biochemistry | 3 hours |
| V_BSCI9435 Molecular Exercise Biology | 3 hours |
| NEP8870 Exercise Metabolism – currently not offered | 3 hours |
Program & Affiliated Faculty
Affiliated Programs
Exercise Physiology research and graduate training take place in a number of departments and laboratories at MU. Faculty members in affiliated programs and department are listed below:
- Vet Biomedical Sciences:
Frank Booth, Doug Bowles, Lane Clarke, Eileen Hasser, Richard McAllister, Steve Yang. Contact Lane Clarke for information on the graduate program. - Physiology:
Kerry McDonald. Contact Ronald Korthuis for information on the graduate program. - Physical Therapy:
Marian Minor, Stephen Sayles, Erin Dannecker. Contact Marion Minor for information about research programs. - Internal Medicine / Cardiology:
William Fay, Anand Chockalingham. Contact William Fay for information about research programs.