Program Overview

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Kinesiology: Exercise Physiology, MS

The Kinesiology: Exercise Physiology, MS program is a named option within the Kinesiology, MS degree. Exercise Physiology is the study of the biological responses and adaptations to acute and chronic exercise. Research and graduate training at UWMadison focus on elucidating the physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms underlying these processes, as well as the influence of exercise on health and disease.

Research Areas

• Dr. Diffee studies the regulation of contraction in skeletal and cardiac muscle and how this regulation is altered by perturbations such as exercise training, injury, or disease.
• The research of William Schrages laboratory is focused on how blood flow is regulated in muscle and brain circulations, specifically how acute exercise or environmental stress like hypoxia influences blood flow and how this is impacted by obesity and metabolic syndrome.
• Dr. Barnes focuses on how aging and exercise alter blood flow and blood pressure regulation, including age-associated changes in cerebral blood flow and the sympathetic nervous system activity influences cerebral blood flow.

Program Description

The Exercise Physiology named option of the MS program is designed to provide the fundamental framework for understanding and conducting research in Exercise Physiology. In addition to coursework in Physiology, Statistics, and Research Methods, students pursue advanced study in Exercise Physiology. Many MS students have the opportunity to teach during their training. Graduates of the MS program often pursue further graduate training, usually in a PhD, MD, or DO program. Other MS graduates immediately pursue a career in research, educational, or clinical settings.

Admissions

Requirements

• Fall Deadline: December 1
• Spring Deadline: September 1
• Summer Deadline: This program does not admit in the summer.
• GRE (Graduate Record Examinations): Not required.
• English Proficiency Test: Required for every applicant whose native language is not English, or whose undergraduate instruction was not exclusively in English.
• Other Test(s) (e.g., GMAT, MCAT): Not applicable.
• Letters of Recommendation Required: 3

GPA and Transcripts

• The Graduate School requires a minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0=A scale) on the last 60 semester hours (or equivalent) of undergraduate coursework.
• An applicant must submit academic transcripts from each institution attended and a statement of reasons for graduate study.

Funding

Graduate School Resources

The Bursars Office provides information about tuition and fees associated with being a graduate student. Resources to help afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School.

Requirements

Mode of Instruction

• Face to Face: Yes
• Evening/Weekend: No
• Online: No
• Hybrid: No
• Accelerated: No

Curricular Requirements

• Minimum Credit Requirement: 30 credits
• Minimum Residence Credit Requirement: 16 credits
• Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement: 15 credits must be graduate-level coursework.
• Overall Graduate GPA Requirement: 3.00 GPA required.
• Other Grade Requirements: Not applicable.
• Assessments and Examinations: Not required.
• Language Requirements: No language requirements.

Required Courses

• KINES 773: Cardiorespiratory Adaptations to Environment and Exercise (3 credits)
• KINES 774: Metabolic Responses to Exercise and Environmental Stress (2 credits)
• STAT/F&W ECOL 571: Statistical Methods for Bioscience I (4 credits)
• KINES 900: Seminar in Kinesiology (1 credit, minimum of 4 credits)
• KINES 953: Human Biodynamics Seminar (1 credit)
• KINES 990: Research or Thesis (4+ credits)
• KINES 991: Research in Physical Activity- Theory and Design (3 credits)
• Suggested Electives: 9 credits, chosen in consultation with the advisor.

Policies

Named Option-Specific Policies

Prior Coursework

• Graduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions: With program approval, students are allowed to transfer no more than 14 credits of graduate coursework from other institutions.
• Undergraduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions or UW-Madison: No credits from another institution or UW-Madison undergraduate degree are allowed to transfer toward the degree.

Probation

Refer to the Graduate School: Probation policy.

Advisor / Committee

• Primary faculty mentor will be the main advisor.
• The Director of Graduate Studies and Graduate Program Manager will provide additional support and advising as needed.

Credits Per Term Allowed

15 credits

Time Limits

Refer to the Graduate School: Time Limits policy. Within the Department, completion of required courses within two years of matriculation is considered satisfactory progress.

Grievances and Appeals

The School of Education has a grievance policy and procedures for addressing student concerns. Graduate students also have the option to appeal decisions by the School of Education dean or designee using the process detailed on the Graduate Schools website.

Professional Development

The Graduate School offers professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch careers.