The Committee on Exercise Science offers an interdisciplinary graduate program leading to the Ph.D. degree in Exercise Science. The committee functions in setting guidelines and supervising programs of study. One of the unique features of this interdisciplinary program is that, because it utilizes faculty research and teaching interests from a number of academic units, a student may tailor a course of study to fit individual needs and goals. The present committee is composed of members from the following academic units: Anthropology; Biology; Chemical, Bio, and Materials Engineering; Exercise Science and Physical Education; Family Resources and Human Development; Psychology; and Psychology in Education. Courses, however, are not limited to these academic units. Concentrations are available in biomechanics, motor behavior/sport psychology, and physiology of exercise.
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
The Ph.D. degree in Exercise Science is an individualized interdisciplinary degree that integrates graduate courses from a variety of academic units to provide a sound foundation for research leading to a dissertation in Exercise Science. Topics for these dissertations come from one of three research areas: biomechanics, physiology of exercise, and motor behavior/sport psychology.
Admission. In addition to meeting Graduate College requirements, students must submit a letter designating a potential area of interest, the name of a potential mentor (from the list of faculty above), and a statement of career goals to the director of the Committee on Exercise Science. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (verbal and quantitative), a professional résumé, and three letters of recommendation must also be submitted. All applicants whose native language is not English must submit a Test of English as a Foreign Language score. Preference is given to applicants already holding a master’s degree, although exceptional students possessing only a baccalaureate degree may apply. Admission decisions are based on the compatibility of the applicant’s career goals with the purpose of the degree program, previous academic training and performance, GRE scores, recommendations, and the ability of the potential mentor to devote time to an additional student. To be considered for research or teaching assistantships, all application materials should be received before February 1.
Program of Study. The program of study consists of a minimum of 54 semester hours of graduate work beyond the master’s degree (84 hours of graduate credit for applicants holding only the baccalaureate degree). Of the 54 hours, 24 are research and dissertation credit to be completed at ASU. The student should expect to devote at least one to two years to completing the dissertation. At least 30 hours of the approved Ph.D. program in which the student is enrolled, exclusive of dissertation and research hours, must be completed at ASU. An individual program of study is selected in consultation with the student’s supervisory committee. The program of study reflects the interdisciplinary nature of the degree program. Students are expected to have fulfilled a majority of the foundational course work before admission. Prerequisites that have not been completed must be taken as remedial work in addition to the program of study.
First-Year Evaluation. The student must pass an examination, given during the fifth week of the first semester. The examination covers the area of concentration as well as statistics/research design and allied areas. The examination is both diagnostic and qualifying in the concentration area. If the student passes the written examination in the concentration area, the results in the allied areas serve as a guide to the supervisory committee in formulating a program of study. If the student’s performance on the written examination in the area of concentration is marginal or unsatisfactory, the student must take an oral examination or another written examination within one semester. Failure to qualify on the second examination results in a recommendation to the Graduate College for dismissal.
Foreign Language Requirements. None.
Comprehensive Examinations. Upon completion of course work and before commencing dissertation research, the student is given written and oral examinations. After the student has passed the comprehensive examinations, a dissertation committee is appointed by the dean of the Graduate College. After the dissertation committee has approved the dissertation prospectus, the student is eligible to apply for admission to candidacy.
Dissertation Requirements. The dissertation must consist of a fully documented written analysis of a problem that extends the knowledge and/or theoretical framework of the field. The research should demonstrate the student’s creativity and competence for independent research.
Final Examinations. A final oral examination in defense of the dissertation is required. The candidate must take the final oral examination in defense of the dissertation within five years after passing the comprehensive examinations. Any exception must be approved by the supervisory committee, the director of the Committee on Exercise Science, and the dean of the Graduate College and ordinarily involves repetition of the comprehensive examinations.
RESEARCH ACTIVITY
Faculty composing the Committee on Exercise Science are engaged in a variety of research activities. The following list includes some of the most recent research interests.
Biomechanics. Decrements in the mechanics and economy of walking in the elderly, kinematic and kinetic determinants of walking and running patterns in below knee amputees, anatomical and mechanical determinants of carpal tunnel syndrome; factors affecting throwing and vertical jumping performance; hydrodynamics of swimming propulsion and resistance, cycling biomechanics and physiology—factors influencing pedaling rates; computer simulation of locomotion in clinical and sport applications.
Physiology of Exercise. CHD risk factors; thermal adaptation; oxygen consumption; body composition; endocrine responses to exercise; cell membrane lipid metabolism; mitochondrial and cellular bioenergetics; muscle physiology; hepatic exercise metabolism; free radical production during exercise; neuromuscular fatigue; exercise and aging; physiological, biochemical, and hormonal aspects of stress; physiological aspects of the exercising female; athletic amenorrhea; effects of exercise on osteoporosis and arthritis; and nutrition in sport and exercise.
Motor Behavior/Sport Psychology. Autonomic and central nervous system mediators of behavior; exercise and mental health; affective state as a function of exercise; self-talk, self-evaluation, imagery and other processes related to competitive performance; stress and burnout; social physique anxiety; psychophysiological/cognitive/motor processes; attention; feedback; coordination; force production; neuromotor impairments; control and coordination of movement; arousal and attention in skilled performance; mental preparation strategies; coping and adaptation; aging and motor coordination; cognitive factors and motor skill performance; development of motor expertise; and development of gender differences in sport and motor behavior.
Exercise Science. For courses which are available to support the interdisciplinary degree program in exercise science, refer to the course listings under the following majors: Anthropology, Bioengineering, Biology, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Educational Psychology, Family Resources and Human Development, Exercise Science/Physical Education, and Psychology. A limited number of applicable courses are also available through other departments.
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