COMPARATIVE AND EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY PROGRAM

Both M.S. and Ph.D. degrees are offered in the area of Comparative and Exercise Physiology. This program has special emphases in the areas of exercise, comparative, ecological and metabolic physiology as well as skeletal muscle biology. The M.S. program is primarily intended for students who desire training for technical positions in academia, government or industry or who want to enter a professional program like medical or veterinary school. It is designed to give students 1) a broad knowledge of the fundamentals of physiology, and 2) research experience in the student’s chosen specialty. The Ph.D. program is intended for students who plan to become academic faculty or to assume research positions in government or industry. It is designed to provide 1) a broad knowledge of the fundamentals of physiology, 2) training in experimental techniques, 3) practice in the working skills a scientist requires, 3) research experience in the student’s chosen specialty and 4) mastery of the student’s chosen research specialty.

M.S. Program
Broad knowledge of physiology is provided for all students by the required completion of 15 credit hours of required courses in Physiology. Additional elective courses provide specialized education appropriate to the student’s interests. The course of study depends on the student’s research area and academic history, and is determined by negotiation among the student, the student’s advisor, and the advisory committee.

The M.S. degree requires a minimum of 45 total credit hours (including research and thesis), of which 30 hours must be formal course work. Students are encouraged to finish the program within two years.

Ph.D. Program
Ph.D. students receive broad knowledge of physiology through the completion of 15 credit hours of required courses in Physiology. Additionally, “breadth” classes (total of 6 credit hours) are required for where students take two classes that are outside the student’s area of specialization. These classes are chosen in consultation with the student’s advisory committee. Additional elective courses provide specialized education appropriate to the student’s interests. Ph.D. students also develop working scientific skills through annual presentations in a seminar series in which students present their research or lead discussions of recent journal articles.

The Ph.D. degree requires a minimum of 135 total credit hours (including research and thesis/dissertation), of which 45 hours must be formal course work. Students are encouraged to finish the Ph.D. program in five years.