• Description of Program
• Degree Requirements
• Special Opportunities
• Careers

Description of Program

Exercise physiology is broadly based on basic sciences: human anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and biology. The primary goal of this field is to understand how the various cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems respond to challenges posed by exercise and physical training. Exercise physiology focuses on optimal performance such as that attained by elite and highly trained athletes. Unlike many fields, exercise physiology has remained integrative, examining how the failure or enhancement of one physiological system can influence another. The field also considers how the environment imposes limits on the body during exercise through such means as heat, cold, humidity, and altitude.

Degree Requirements

A minimum of 35 credit hours is required for the exercise physiology program.  The Master of Science in Kinesiology degree must include a minimum of 20 credits from the Department of Kinesiology.  A minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) is required for graduation. A minimum grade of C– is required in each course. All electives for completing the degree must be approved by the advisor.

Complete each of the following courses (23 cr.):

• HPER-K 530 Mechanical Analysis of Human Performance (3 cr.)
• HPER-K 542 Neuromuscular Control of Movement (3 cr.)
• HPER-K 635 Cardiovascular & Respiratory Physiology of Exercise (3 cr.)
• HPER-K 636 Cardio-Pulmonary Assessment Lab (3 cr.)
• HPER-K 638 Biochemical Adaptations to Exercise (3 cr.)
• HPER-K 639 Laboratory Techniques for Exercise Biochemistry (2 cr.)
• HPER-K 690 Seminar in Human Performance (3 cr.)
• HPER-T 590 Introduction to Research in Health, Kinesiology, & Recreation (3 cr.)

Select one of the following courses (3 cr.):

• HPER-T 591 Interpretation of Data in Health, Kinesiology, & Recreation (3 cr.)
•  HPER-T 592 Statistical Techniques of Research in Health, Kinesiology, and Recreation (3 cr.)

Choose electives from the following list of courses to complete the 35 required credits (7 cr.):
Others may be substituted with permission of advisor.

• BIOL-L 313 Cell Biology Laboratory (3 cr.)
• BIOL-T 567 Cell Physiology (3 cr.)
• BIOL-Z 466 Endocrinology (3 cr.)
• CHEM-C 341 Organic Chemistry Lectures 1 (3 cr.)
• CHEM-C 342 Organic Chemistry Lectures 2 (3 cr.)
• CHEM-C 483 Biological Chemistry (3 cr.)
• CHEM-C 484 Biomolecules and Catabolism (3 cr.)
• CHEM-C 485 Biosynthesis and Physiology (3 cr.)
• HPER-K 506 Computer Applications in Kinesiology (3 cr.)
• HPER-K 531 Measurements and Analysis of Physiological Signals – EMG (3 cr.)
• HPER-K 533 Advanced Theories in High-Level Performance (3 cr.)
• HPER-K 562 Exercise prescription in Health and Disease I (3 cr.)
• HPER-K 563 Cardiac Assessment in Exercise Testing (3 cr.)
• HPER-K 564 Exercise Prescription in Health and Disease II (3 cr.)
• HPER-K 600 Masters Thesis (3 cr.)
• HPER-K 602 Independent Study and Research (3 cr.)
• HPER-N 620 Nutrition in Sports (3 cr.)
• PHSL-P 431 Mammalian Physiology (3 cr.)
• PHSL-P 531 Human Physiology 1 (3 cr.)
• PHSL-P 532 Human Physiology 2 (1-5 cr.)

Special Opportunities

Students at the undergraduate and graduate levels can assist in a wide variety of ongoing research experiments in the exercise physiology laboratories.

Careers

• Careers for M.S.: Preparation toward Ph.D. programs; research-related positions at research laboratories.
• Careers for Ph.D.: Graduates are qualified for research and teaching positions at universities, sports organizations, and medical centers.