Applied Physiology and Nutrition (PhD)
Explore the science of nutrition, physiology and human health.
72
Post-Bachelor's Hours
36
Post-Master's Hours
7
Research Facilities
1:1
Faculty Mentorship
Explore the program
Applied Physiology and Nutrition (APHN) is an interdisciplinary, research-intensive doctoral concentration within the Applied Physiology and Neuromechanics program. You'll train in basic and translational science with a sustained focus on the role of nutrition in health and disease.
About the Program
APHN spans disciplines by design. Areas of study include immunophysiology and immunometabolism, circadian biology and bioenergetics, and your coursework covers both the biochemical basis of nutrition and its application.
You'll work closely with faculty who are experts in their respective fields, and you're expected to contribute continually to research in at least one of the laboratories supporting APHN under the direction of a resident Full Graduate Faculty Mentor. The goal is that you graduate able to lead and collaborate in at least one research specialty area within the field.
ImmunophysiologyImmunometabolismCircadian BiologyBioenergeticsTranslational Science
Research is at the center of the APHN experience. You work alongside faculty experts and contribute to active laboratory research throughout the program.
Admission
Applications are reviewed for fall admission. Submit your materials by the priority deadline for the strongest consideration — faculty mentors commit to students early, so applying by the official deadline may limit available placements.
| Priority deadline | May 1 |
|---|---|
| International applicants | April 1 |
| Official deadline | August 10 |
| Entry term | Fall |
Degree Requirements
APHN offers two entry points. If you enter after a bachelor's degree you complete both phases below and earn a master's degree along the way. If you enter with a master's degree you begin at the post-master's phase.
| Entry point | Minimum credit hours | Phases required |
|---|---|---|
| Post-bachelor's | 72 | Post-bachelor's phase, then post-master's phase |
| Post-master's | 36 | Post-master's phase only |
Post-Bachelor's Phase
The first phase for students entering with a bachelor's degree. The master's degree it awards depends on which designated courses you complete — see the note below.
- A minimum of 36 credit hours, including 8000-level courses when available
- 12 credit hours of designated research and statistics courses
- 12 credit hours of specified ESMS or NUTR courses
- Six credit hours of electives approved by your doctoral committee
- Six credit hours of applied project or thesis
- Successful written and oral defense of the applied project or thesis
- Successful completion of the oral Master's Comprehensive Exam, taken as part of that defense
- Participation in fall and spring doctoral seminar
- An overall GPA of at least 3.00
Which master's degree you earn depends on your coursework. Completing the designated ESMS courses awards an MS with a major in Health Studies and a concentration in Exercise, Sport and Movement Sciences. Completing the designated NUTR courses awards an MS with a major in Nutrition and a concentration in Nutrition Science.
Post-Master's Phase
The doctoral phase, completed by all students regardless of entry point.
- A minimum of 36 credit hours, including 8000-level courses when available
- Six credit hours of research and statistics beyond the initial 12
- 24 credit hours of doctoral committee-approved courses, including 12 credit hours of supervised research
- Six credit hours of dissertation, chaired by a Full Graduate Faculty member in the APHN program
- Successful written and oral Doctoral Comprehensive Exam, completed before the dissertation is proposed
- Successful written and oral defense of the dissertation
- Residency and professional scholarship
- Participation in fall and spring doctoral seminar until doctoral exams are passed
- An overall GPA of at least 3.00
If you enter with a master's degree, note two conditions.
Any research or statistics courses designated for the post-bachelor's phase that you have not already completed must be taken during your first year. These do not count toward the 36 credit hours in your program of study.
If you did not complete an applied project or thesis as part of your master's degree, you must formally complete and defend one before proposing your dissertation. Those six credit hours also do not count toward the 36.
Research Facilities
Advanced facilities and equipment support APHN research across nutrition, physiology, molecular biology, body composition and exercise.
| Center for Nutraceutical and Dietary Supplement Research | Nutraceutical and dietary supplement research |
|---|---|
| Biochemistry Laboratory | Biochemical analyses |
| Molecular Biology Laboratory | Molecular and cellular research |
| Bone Densitometry and Body Composition Laboratory | Bone density and body composition measurement |
| Cardiorespiratory/Metabolic Laboratory | Cardiorespiratory and metabolic assessment |
| Exercise Instructional Laboratory | Applied exercise instruction and testing |
| Musculoskeletal Analysis Laboratory | Biomechanical analysis of human movement |
Lab Equipment Inventory > Faculty Research >
Program Details
| Degree | Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) |
|---|---|
| Major | Applied Physiology and Neuromechanics (APNM) |
| Concentration | Applied Physiology and Nutrition (APHN) |
| Credit hours | 72 post-bachelor's; 36 post-master's |
| Dissertation | Six credit hours, chaired by a Full Graduate Faculty member in APHN |
| Entry term | Fall |
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Review admission requirements, explore the doctoral faculty or reach out with questions.
Graduate Admissions PhD Program Overview Meet the Doctoral Faculty
Common Questions
For fall admission the priority deadline is May 1 and the official deadline is August 10. International applicants should submit materials by April 1. Applying by the priority deadline gives you the strongest consideration, since faculty mentors commit to students early.
Areas of study include immunophysiology and immunometabolism, circadian biology and bioenergetics. Coursework covers both the biochemical basis of nutrition and its application.
It depends on your coursework. The designated ESMS courses lead to an MS with a major in Health Studies and a concentration in Exercise, Sport and Movement Sciences. The designated NUTR courses lead to an MS with a major in Nutrition and a concentration in Nutrition Science.
Seven facilities support the program: the Center for Nutraceutical and Dietary Supplement Research, plus the Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Bone Densitometry and Body Composition, Cardiorespiratory/Metabolic, Exercise Instructional and Musculoskeletal Analysis laboratories.
Program Contact
