Exercise Physiology Doctoral Program Information

Establishment of Program of Study

During the first year, each student and their academic advisor will develop an individualized program of study based on the student’s research interests and anticipated dissertation topic. This plan outlines all coursework required to complete the degree.

The program of study will be submitted to the Graduate Studies Committee for approval during the student’s second year and must include all coursework required to meet the degree requirements described in the Program Overview.

Lab Safety Requirements

Please note that before you begin working in a laboratory, you are required to perform:

• all required lab safety training from UT Environmental Health and Safety and

• all Institutional Review Board (IRB) and conflict of interest disclosure (for human research) OR

• Institutional Animal Care and Use Training (for animal research)

Proposed Program Schedule

• Admission is strongly recommended for the fall semester to align with course sequencing.

• Prerequisites, if required, should be completed in the first semester and must be finished prior to advancement to candidacy. The prerequisite form, signed by the faculty advisor, should be submitted to the Graduate Program Coordinator.

• At the end of each academic year, students must complete a yearly progress report, obtain advisor approval, and submit it during the doctoral seminar.

• By the second year, the program of study should be finalized and presented to Exercise Physiology faculty and the Graduate Studies Committee for approval.

• By the end of the second year of post-master’s study, most organized coursework should be complete, and the comprehensive examination should be taken.

• Following successful completion of the comprehensive exam, students may be advanced to candidacy (see Doctoral Candidacy).

• Within one year of passing the comprehensive exam, the dissertation proposal should be developed and presented to the dissertation committee.

• The dissertation defense will be conducted and evaluated by the dissertation committee.

Ph.D. Student Evaluation

Students must make satisfactory progress toward the degree and are formally evaluated each year based on coursework, GPA, and research involvement.

Incompletes

Graduate students are expected to complete courses within the semester. In exceptional cases, an instructor may assign a temporary incomplete (X). The final grade must be submitted by the end of the next long-session semester (fall or spring). If not, the X converts to a permanent incomplete (I), which cannot be changed.

The Graduate Studies Committee considers two or more incompletes (X and/or I) as unsatisfactory progress. Students in academic appointments (e.g., TAs or GRAs) may hold no more than two X grades, or one X and one I, and may not accumulate two or more I grades.

GPA

Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA, as required by the Graduate School. This standard applies to coursework within the major department, outside the department, and overall.

Research Involvement

Students are responsible for working with their academic advisor to understand and fulfill research expectations. Lack of active research engagement will be considered unsatisfactory progress.

Doctoral Candidacy

Comprehensive Examination

To be considered for doctoral candidacy, students must pass a comprehensive examination in their area of specialization. The exam is typically administered after completion of all coursework (approximately two years of post-master’s study).

The examination centers on a student-written research proposal, with the topic determined by the examining committee. The committee will include at least three Exercise Physiology faculty members.

The exam consists of:

• A written research proposal

• An oral defense (scheduled only after successful completion of the written portion)

Outcomes are recorded as:

• Pass

• Pass with Contingencies

• Re-take

• Fail

Students who fail the examination twice will be dismissed from the program.

Advancement to Candidacy

Students are advanced to doctoral candidacy upon:

• Successful completion of the comprehensive examination

• Submission of recommended dissertation committee members to the Graduate Adviser

The supervising professor and student must propose four committee members (three from the department and one external). Students should work with the Graduate Coordinator to complete advancement paperwork.

Students may register for dissertation hours only after formal advancement to candidacy and approval from the supervising professor.

Dissertation

Under the direction of the supervising professor and dissertation committee, students will prepare a written dissertation proposal and present it orally to the committee. Attendance is open to interested faculty, students, and Graduate Studies Committee (GSC) members; however, a quorum is not required.

The proposal should include:

• A literature review

• Detailed methodology

• Preliminary results

The dissertation must represent an original and significant contribution to scholarship based on independent research in the major area.

The dissertation committee is appointed by the Graduate Dean and includes:

• The supervising professor

• At least two additional Exercise Science faculty members

• At least one member from outside the departmental GSC

Final Oral Examination (Dissertation Defense)

The final oral examination includes a formal seminar on the student’s dissertation research. Faculty and graduate students are encouraged to attend and participate.

The dissertation committee evaluates the student’s performance. The student and supervising professor are responsible for scheduling the defense through the Graduate Adviser’s office.

Time Limits

All coursework included in the doctoral program at the time of candidacy must have been completed within the previous six years (excluding up to three years of military service).

Students who do not complete the degree within three years of candidacy will undergo review by the Graduate Studies Committee, with annual reviews thereafter. The committee may recommend additional coursework, further examinations, or termination of candidacy. The program is also subject to review by the Graduate Dean.