Program: Exercise Science PhD - University at Buffalo

Apr 10, 2025

WORKING 2025-2026 Graduate Catalog

Exercise science is the scientific study of how human movement influences health, fitness, performance and disease prevention. Nutrition science explores the complex relationship between the body, nutrients and health. The Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences combines these disciplines to offer a broad understanding of the human body, including physiological, biomechanical and nutritional factors.

Requirements

The PhD program requires 72 credits.

27 credits are required courses in the core curriculum
33-35 credits are electives
10-12 credits are for dissertation

Core Curriculum (27 credits)

CHB 550LR - Public Health and Population Wellbng Credits: 3
ES 502LEC - Neuromusc Metab Resp Exer Credits: 3
ES 503LEC - Cardiopul Resp Exer Credits: 3
ES 539SEM - Research Seminar Credits: 2
ES 620LEC - Scientific Grant Writing Credits: 2
NTR 505LEC - Exercise Nutrition Credits: 2
RSC 602SEM - Research Ethics for the Health Sciences Credits: 3 or equivalent
STA 527LEC - Statistical Analysis I Credits: 3 and
STA 527REC - Statistical Analysis I Credits: 1
STA 528LR - Statistical Analysis II Credits: 4

Informal Degree Requirements

You may need to complete specialty training or certification to participate in certain research studies.

Electives (36 credits)

In addition to the core requirements, you will select a set of meaningful electives in consultation with your research advisor. Some of these electives may be oriented toward specialty training or certification, and may be necessary to participate in certain research studies. PhD students will consult with their major advisor each semester to make appropriate elective course choices. Eligible students may be able to transfer in prior graduate-level credits toward the elective requirement.

Dissertation

The program requires a minimum of 10 credit hours of dissertation research. The dissertation effort demands a minimum of at least one year of full-time research in residence. Ultimately, the quality of the dissertation is the crucial consideration regardless of how many credit hours are allocated.

ES 598TUT - Indiv Guidnc Dissertation Credits: 1 - 10

Total Credit Hours: 72

3.0 Degree GPA required

SED Statement

This program is officially registered with the New York State Education Department (SED).