Ph.D. in Exercise & Nutrition Sciences
The Doctor of Philosophy in Exercise and Nutrition Sciences prepares future scholars and industry experts to teach and mentor students, lead research and development, and create knowledge relating to the impacts of exercise/physical activity and nutrition on human health and function. This program builds on the Master of Science program in Exercise and Nutrition Sciences at MSU, or a related Master of Science degree from another institution.
The program will leverage expertise of exercise science program faculty and nutrition sciences program faculty and established collaborations with other STEM researchers and programs at MSU to deliver the following doctoral options: Exercise Nutrition, Metabolism, and Physiology or Biomechanics and Motor Control. These applied science options build on the foundational sciences of biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology, anatomy, physiology, physics, and mathematics. Students must complete a minimum of 60 credit hours post-baccalaureate, of which 18 to 30 must be dissertation credits. A maximum of 30 credits from a previously earned master's degree (from MSU or another accredited University) may be applied toward the 60 credit minimum required for the doctoral degree. A minimum of 30 credits applicable to the degree must be taken from MSU. To view more requirements and guidelines, visit the Graduate School’s page.
Students in both options can expect to critically analyze research, identify gaps in knowledge, and develop research hypotheses; master scientific writing for both grant proposals and peer reviewed journal articles; develop technical knowledge and laboratory skills to carry out cutting-edge research; and design and deliver college-level courses.
Depending on the student's goals, undergraduate degree, and course work, additional courses may be added or deleted to supplement the curriculum.
Admissions
Admission decisions are based on (but not limited to) undergraduate and graduate coursework, alignment with faculty, relevant professional experience, and strength of letters of recommendation. Our Exercise and Nutrition Sciences PhD program is mentor based. View our faculty directory to learn more about the research being conducted; potential applicants must reach out to those they may be interested in working with before submitting an application to The Graduate School. For more information about the Doctor of Philosophy in Exercise and Nutrition Sciences program including deadlines and requirements, visit the Department of Food Systems, Nutrition, and Kinesiology program page.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Advanced ability to critically analyze research, identify gaps in knowledge, and develop research hypotheses
- Advanced ability to design research strategies for hypothesis driven research
- Mastery of scientific writing for both grant proposals and peer reviewed journal articles
- Technical knowledge and laboratory skills to carry out cutting-edge research
- Advanced skills in data analysis and presentation, e.g. tables and figures
- Ability to design and deliver college-level courses.
- Advanced oral communication skills, including development and delivery of high-quality research presentations.
Exercise Nutrition, Metabolism, and Physiology Curriculum
18-28 cr of Kin 690 Dissertation credit
Take at least 3 of the following classes:
| KIN 515 | Exercise Performance and Nutrition | 3 |
| KIN 545 | Graduate Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| KIN 594 | Seminar | 1 |
| KIN 525 | Neuromechanics of Human Movement | 3 |
| KIN 535 | Advanced Motor Control | 3 |
| NUTR 421 | Macronutrient Metabolism | 3 |
| NUTR 511 | Exercise Metabolism and Health | 3 |
| NUTR 520 | Nutrition, Public Health, & Systems Change | 3 |
Take at least 2 of the following classes:
| STAT 425 | Biostatistical Data Analysis | 3 |
| STAT 431 | Nonparametric Statistics | 3 |
| STAT 437 | Introduction to Applied Multivariate Analysis | 3 |
| STAT 439 | Introduction to Categorical Data Analysis | 3 |
| STAT 441 | Experimental Design | 3 |
| STAT 448 | Mixed Effects Models | 3 |
| STAT 511 | Methods of Data Analysis I | 3 |
| STAT 512 | Methods of Data Analysis II | 3 |
| STAT 525 | Biostatistics | 3 |
Take at least 2 of the following classes:
| BCH 524 | Mass Spectrometry | 3 |
| BCH 544 | Molecular Biology | 3 |
| BCH 543 | Proteins | 3 |
| BCH 546 | Metabolomics and Systems Biology | 3 |
| BIOB 524 | Ethical Practice of Science | 3 |
| BIOE 540 | Analysis of Ecological Communities | 3 |
| CHTH 540 | Principles of Epidemiology | 3 |
| MB 505 | Host-Associated Microbiomes | 4 |
| MB 520 | Microbial Physiology | 3 |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
Up to 30 credits from the above list at MSU or equivalent from another university earned for the MS may be considered for credit toward the PhD.
Biomechanics/Motor Control Curriculum
Option 1: Master's and PhD at MSU (5 years to complete PhD)
Existing MS in Exercise and Nutrition Sciences (2 years)
Total MS program: 35 credits; considered for credit toward PhD: 18-21 credits.
| HHD 512 | Research Methods in HHD II | 3 |
| KIN 515 | Exercise Performance and Nutrition | 3 |
| or NUTR 511 | Exercise Metabolism and Health | |
| KIN 525 | Neuromechanics of Human Movement | 3 |
| KIN 535 | Advanced Motor Control | 3 |
| KIN 545 | Graduate Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| KIN 590 | Master's Thesis | 1-10 |
| KIN 594 | Seminar | 1 |
| STAT 511 | Methods of Data Analysis I | 3 |
| Electives | 3 | |
PhD in Exercise and Nutrition Sciences (3 years)
| Required Core: 24 - 34 credits | ||
| KIN 594 | Seminar | 1 |
| KIN 690 | Dissertation | 1-10 |
| Coursework (program developed in consultation with Chair): 5 - 18 credits | ||
| KIN 435 | Advanced Motor Control | 3 |
| KIN 592 | Independent Study | 1-3 |
| STAT 425 | Biostatistical Data Analysis | 3 |
| STAT 431 | Nonparametric Statistics | 3 |
| STAT 437 | Introduction to Applied Multivariate Analysis | 3 |
| STAT 439 | Introduction to Categorical Data Analysis | 3 |
| STAT 441 | Experimental Design | 3 |
| STAT 448 | Mixed Effects Models | 3 |
| STAT 511 | Methods of Data Analysis I | 3 |
| STAT 512 | Methods of Data Analysis II | 3 |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
Option 2: Master's done elsewhere, start directly into PhD (3-4 years depending on prior coursework)
12-21 credits considered for credit toward the PhD (exact courses to be transferred for credit determined by department)
PhD in Exercise and Nutrition Sciences (3-4 years) 39-48 credits
| Required Core: 24 - 34 credits | ||
| KIN 594 | Seminar | 1 |
| KIN 690 | Dissertation | 1-10 |
| Coursework (program developed in consultation with Chair) 5 - 24 credits | ||
| KIN 515 | Exercise Performance and Nutrition | 3 |
| KIN 525 | Neuromechanics of Human Movement | 3 |
| KIN 535 | Advanced Motor Control | 3 |
| KIN 545 | Graduate Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| STAT 425 | Biostatistical Data Analysis | 3 |
| STAT 431 | Nonparametric Statistics | 3 |
| STAT 437 | Introduction to Applied Multivariate Analysis | 3 |
| STAT 441 | Experimental Design | 3 |
| STAT 448 | Mixed Effects Models | 3 |
| STAT 511 | Methods of Data Analysis I | 3 |
| STAT 512 | Methods of Data Analysis II | 3 |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
Exercise Nutrition, Metabolism, and Physiology Curriculum
18-28 cr of Kin 690 Dissertation credit
Take at least 3 of the following classes:
| KIN 515 | Exercise Performance and Nutrition | 3 |
| KIN 545 | Graduate Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| KIN 594 | Seminar | 1 |
| KIN 525 | Neuromechanics of Human Movement | 3 |
| KIN 535 | Advanced Motor Control | 3 |
| NUTR 421 | Macronutrient Metabolism | 3 |
| NUTR 511 | Exercise Metabolism and Health | 3 |
| NUTR 520 | Nutrition, Public Health, & Systems Change | 3 |
Take at least 2 of the following classes:
| STAT 425 | Biostatistical Data Analysis | 3 |
| STAT 431 | Nonparametric Statistics | 3 |
| STAT 437 | Introduction to Applied Multivariate Analysis | 3 |
| STAT 439 | Introduction to Categorical Data Analysis | 3 |
| STAT 441 | Experimental Design | 3 |
| STAT 448 | Mixed Effects Models | 3 |
| STAT 511 | Methods of Data Analysis I | 3 |
| STAT 512 | Methods of Data Analysis II | 3 |
| STAT 525 | Biostatistics | 3 |
Take at least 2 of the following classes:
| BCH 524 | Mass Spectrometry | 3 |
| BCH 544 | Molecular Biology | 3 |
| BCH 543 | Proteins | 3 |
| BCH 546 | Metabolomics and Systems Biology | 3 |
| BIOB 524 | Ethical Practice of Science | 3 |
| BIOE 540 | Analysis of Ecological Communities | 3 |
| CHTH 540 | Principles of Epidemiology | 3 |
| MB 505 | Host-Associated Microbiomes | 4 |
| MB 520 | Microbial Physiology | 3 |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
Up to 30 credits from the above list at MSU or equivalent from another university earned for the MS may be considered for credit toward the PhD.
Biomechanics/Motor Control Curriculum
Option 1: Master's and PhD at MSU (5 years to complete PhD)
Existing MS in Exercise and Nutrition Sciences (2 years)
Total MS program: 35 credits; considered for credit toward PhD: 18-21 credits.
| HHD 512 | Research Methods in HHD II | 3 |
| KIN 515 | Exercise Performance and Nutrition | 3 |
| or NUTR 511 | Exercise Metabolism and Health | |
| KIN 525 | Neuromechanics of Human Movement | 3 |
| KIN 535 | Advanced Motor Control | 3 |
| KIN 545 | Graduate Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| KIN 590 | Master's Thesis | 1-10 |
| KIN 594 | Seminar | 1 |
| STAT 511 | Methods of Data Analysis I | 3 |
| Electives | 3 | |
PhD in Exercise and Nutrition Sciences (3 years)
| Required Core: 24 - 34 credits | ||
| KIN 594 | Seminar | 1 |
| KIN 690 | Dissertation | 1-10 |
| Coursework (program developed in consultation with Chair): 5 - 18 credits | ||
| KIN 435 | Advanced Motor Control | 3 |
| KIN 592 | Independent Study | 1-3 |
| STAT 425 | Biostatistical Data Analysis | 3 |
| STAT 431 | Nonparametric Statistics | 3 |
| STAT 437 | Introduction to Applied Multivariate Analysis | 3 |
| STAT 439 | Introduction to Categorical Data Analysis | 3 |
| STAT 441 | Experimental Design | 3 |
| STAT 448 | Mixed Effects Models | 3 |
| STAT 511 | Methods of Data Analysis I | 3 |
| STAT 512 | Methods of Data Analysis II | 3 |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
Option 2: Master's done elsewhere, start directly into PhD (3-4 years depending on prior coursework)
12-21 credits considered for credit toward the PhD (exact courses to be transferred for credit determined by department)
PhD in Exercise and Nutrition Sciences (3-4 years) 39-48 credits
| Required Core: 24 - 34 credits | ||
| KIN 594 | Seminar | 1 |
| KIN 690 | Dissertation | 1-10 |
| Coursework (program developed in consultation with Chair) 5 - 24 credits | ||
| KIN 515 | Exercise Performance and Nutrition | 3 |
| KIN 525 | Neuromechanics of Human Movement | 3 |
| KIN 535 | Advanced Motor Control | 3 |
| KIN 545 | Graduate Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| STAT 425 | Biostatistical Data Analysis | 3 |
| STAT 431 | Nonparametric Statistics | 3 |
| STAT 437 | Introduction to Applied Multivariate Analysis | 3 |
| STAT 441 | Experimental Design | 3 |
| STAT 448 | Mixed Effects Models | 3 |
| STAT 511 | Methods of Data Analysis I | 3 |
| STAT 512 | Methods of Data Analysis II | 3 |
| Total Credits | 60 | |