Course Overview!

Ball State University's PhD in Human Bioenergetics is a research-intensive program designed to prepare students for careers in exercise physiology research. Established in 1981, the program boasts over 60 graduates working in professional research roles. The curriculum emphasizes a strong foundation in exercise physiology and the basic sciences, requiring a serious commitment to scientific inquiry. Students will develop advanced laboratory skills, mastering HPL instrumentation, and hone their critical thinking, data analysis, interpretation, writing, and presentation skills. The program culminates in a dissertation contributing new knowledge to the field of exercise physiology, showcasing the student's ability to conduct independent, impactful research and disseminate their findings effectively through writing and presentations.

Course Structure

The PhD in Bioenergetics requires 90 credit hours, with 30 potentially transferable from a master's degree. Core requirements include three courses (9 credits) in the Human Performance Laboratory, a cognate in physiology, biology, or chemistry (24 or 30 credits), comprehensive written and oral exams, and a dissertation (10-24 credits). Coursework covers topics such as applied physiology, principles of biochemistry, exercise physiology, seminar in exercise science, and molecular biology with a laboratory component. A complete course list and descriptions can be found in the graduate catalog.