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Directory University of Florida

Biobehavioral Science Concentration

The primary mission of the Ph.D. program in Health and Human Performance with a concentration in Biobehavioral Science is to train future scholars by providing a stimulating environment to develop in-depth knowledge in the area of the specializations described below and proficiency in designing and conducting research in the respective areas.

Students are expected to be involved in research throughout their Ph.D. program, which requires approximately three to five years of full-time study for completion.

Graduates of the program are trained to assume positions as post-doctoral research scientists, or entry-level professorships at major colleges and universities throughout the country. The program of study is developed by the student and the supervisory committee based on the student’s background, interests, and career goals, as well as faculty expertise.

By design, the program is multidisciplinary and flexible, permitting students to tailor their scholarly experience to the development of research skills in one of several related disciplines: biomechanics, motor control and learning, exercise and performance psychology, and sports medicine/athletic training.

Choose a Specialization

There are four areas of specialization available for this concentration.

Biomechanics

Biomechanics is the scientific study of humans and objects as they move and interact with the environment. It is a multi-disciplinary field drawing from kinesiology, engineering, medicine and manufacturing. Biomechanics is a high-technology field that applies this expertise to athletic, clinical, legal and commercial areas.

The coursework offered within this concentration allows the student to experience a wide variety of biomechanical studies or focus on specific areas to best meet the individual interests of the student.

The biomechanics specialization emphasizes research and laboratory experiences, and demands mastery of advanced technology to solve problems. The coursework and training include the study of the kinematics and kinetics of animal movement.

Coursework will include, but not be limited to, study in anatomy/kinesiology, biomechanics, engineering, medicine, physical therapy, and statistics. Additional areas of study will focus on developing research and laboratory skills, understanding motor performance and the control of motor actions.

Students will be exposed to and encouraged to engage in research and study in clinical biomechanics while developing a working knowledge of the granting and funding process.

Graduate Faculty in Biomechanics

Motor Control

The Motor Control and Learning specialization emphasizes an understanding of human motor performance and motor skills by integrating formal coursework and research experiences. Motor learning is associated with the processes and conditions that influence skill acquisition, while motor control concerns determining the neuromuscular basis of performance. Learning and control processes are investigated from established theoretical perspectives.

The acquisition of motor skills and expertise, as well as the development of coordination, is of great interest. Many issues are studied with various instrumentation in our laboratory, as well as in applied settings.

This specialization is interdisciplinary in nature, primarily drawing upon the knowledge base advanced in the movement sciences, neuroscience, cognitive sciences, and physical therapy. Students are prepared to conduct research in traditional motor performance and learning settings as well as to mentor graduate students.

Graduate Faculty in Motor Control & Learning

Exercise Psychology

The Exercise and Performance Psychology specialization prepares individuals for careers in universities, research, consulting, private industry, or health sciences. Performance and Exercise Psychology provides the basis for understanding emotions, cognitions and behaviors in sport, exercise and other performance settings.

Given the development of performance and exercise psychology as distinct fields that emphasize both science and practice, courses and experiences are offered that are relevant to developing proficiency in both areas. Thus, the program is designed with two different streams for concentration course work and experiences depending upon the student’s interests in either performance or exercise psychology.

Major topics of study in the Exercise Psychology specialization include a psychosocial emphasis on the acute and chronic effects of exercise on body image, eating disorders, exercise dependence, and psychological well-being (e.g., the effects of exercise on depression, self-esteem, anxiety, social physique anxiety, self-esteem and mood). Other topics of interest include exercise adherence, exercise interventions, and various group dynamic topics (e.g., leadership, cohesion, social influence, and group size).

Major topics of study in the Performance Psychology specialization include a cognitive-behavioral emphasis on the improvement of learning and performance conditions, emotion and attentional components of performance, information processing factors involved in complex movements, performance enhancement strategies, and understanding the development of the attention, anticipation, decision-making and reacting skills necessary for expert performance in rapidly occurring events.

The investigation of these areas has been facilitated by the recent laboratory additions of technologically advanced instrumentation used for psychophysiological assessment of brain (EEG) activity and visual search patterns. Research topics also include various psychological issues related to motivation, personality, and individual differences in emotional reactivity.

Graduate Faculty in Exercise and Performance Psychology

Sports Medicine

The Sports Medicine/Athletic Training specialization is multidisciplinary, including the physiological, biomechanical, psychological, and pathological phenomena associated with exercise and sports (American College of Sports Medicine, 1987), and includes associated medical specialties, allied health professions and applied sciences.

The Sports Medicine specialization is designed to provide advanced academic training to develop sports medicine and allied health professionals who will have the scientific and technical competence to formulate and conduct research in both the basic and applied sciences. Coursework at the doctoral level includes lecture and laboratory sequences as well as independent study and directed research.

Graduate Faculty in Sports Medicine

Curriculum Requirements

The program’s philosophy is to make the curriculum as flexible as possible to meet the needs of the student’s specific career goals while making sure the fundamentals are covered. Therefore, every student works closely with his or her adviser and committee to design a unique curriculum that will provide the best opportunity to emerge from the program as a well-trained scientist in the field and also to be able to teach the next generation of undergraduate and graduate students.

Students entering the program with advanced graduate training may request substitutes or waivers for some required courses.

Doctoral Program Summary

  • Concentration Area (12 credits)
  • Research Area (30 credits)
  • Statistical Area (9 credits)
  • Minor Area (12 credits)
  • Electives (6 credits)

Total: 69 credits

Note: A minimum of 90 credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree is required for the Ph.D. degree. A maximum of 30 credit hours of graduate coursework from another institution may count towards this 90-hour minimum, pending approval by the student’s advisory committee.

All courses to be transferred must be letter-graded with a grade of B or better and must be demonstrated to relate directly to the degree being sought. All credits obtained from a master’s degree must have been earned within the last seven years prior to transfer of credit.

Courses that are reflective of the specific area of specialization in the Biobehavioral Science specialization will be selected and approved by the supervisory committee. Additionally, the dissertation topic will directly reflect the area of specialization within the Biobehavioral Science concentration.

  • Sport Psychology: APK 5404 (3 credits)
  • Clinical Anatomy for the Exercise Sciences: APK 6106 (3 credits)
  • Physiological Bases of Exercise and Sport: APK 6116C (3 credits)
  • Human Pathophysiology for the Exercise Sciences: APK 6130 (3 credits)
  • Nature & Bases of Motor Performance: APK 6205C (3 credits)
  • Planning Motor Actions: APK 6206 (3 credits)
  • Controlling Motor Actions: APK 6210 (3 credits)
  • Biomechanical Instrumentation: APK 6225 (3 credits)
  • Biomechanics of Human Motion: APK 6226C (3 credits)
  • Evidence-Based Orthopedic Exam 1: Upper-Extremity: APK 6314 (3 credits)
  • Evidence-Based Orthopedic Exam II: Lower-Extremity: PET 6314 (3 credits)
  • Rehabilitation and Modalities of Athletic Injuries: APK 6317 (3 credits)
  • Exercise Psychology: APK 6406 (3 credits)
  • Performance Enhancement: APK 6408 (3 credits)
  • Seminar in Exercise Psychology: APK 6410 (3 credits)
  • Seminar in Sport Psychology: APK 6415 (3 credits)
  • Directed Independent Study: APK 6900 (3 credits)
  • Current Topics: PET 5936 (3 credits)
  • Grant Writing: APK 6715 (2 credits)
  • Research Methods: HLP 6535 (3 credits)
  • Advanced Research: HLP 7979 (3 credits)
  • Dissertation Hours: HLP 7980 (24 credits minimum)

Note: Advanced Research (HLP7979) is taken when preparing for the Qualifying Examination. Dissertation Hours (HLP7980) are taken upon successful completion of the Qualifying Examination.

  • Supervised Research: PET 6910L (1-5 credits)
  • Statistical Methods in Social Research I: STA 6126 (3 credits)
  • Statistical Methods in Social Research II: STA 6127 (3 credits)
  • Statistical Methods in Research 1: STA 6166 (4 credits)
  • Statistical Methods in Research 2: STA 6167 (4 credits)
  • Introduction to Biostatistics: STA 6176 (3 credits): STA 6176 (3 credits)
  • Research Design: STA 6200 (3 credits): STA 6200 (3 credits)
  • Analysis of Research Data: STA 6201 (3 credits)
  • Applied Multivariate Analysis: STA 6706 (3 credits)
  • Problems in Statistics: STA 6900 (1-3 credits)

There are two options for fulfillment of the minor requirement, each of which must be approved by the supervisory committee.

Formal Minor

Declare a formal outside minor of 12-24 credits and include a minor area faculty representative on the Supervisory Committee. Formal minors often work best for students with 1-2 previous degrees as their strong base of previous professional coursework allows them more flexibility to take courses outside the field. The qualifying examination will include information from the formal minor area.

Interest Area

Elective courses can be used to create an informal “Interest Area” (no committee member; not tested directly on the qualifying examination). These 12 credits are required in addition to the 6 credits of elective work described below.

Note: Courses taken below the 5000 level may be taken with the agreement of the supervisory committee but will not be included in the 12-credit required minimum for the minor/interest area. minor/interest area.

An Example Formal Minor: Cognitive Psychology

  • Visual Perception: EXP 5215 (3 credits)
  • Human Factors I: EXP 5256 (3 credits)
  • Survey of Cognitive & Sensory Processing: EXP 6099 (3 credits)
  • Seminar in Cognition: EXP 6609 (3 credits)

An Example Formal Minor: Physiological Psychology

  • Human Physiological Psychology: PSB 5325 (3 credits)
  • Advanced Physiological Psychology: PSB 6087 (3 credits)
  • Human Brain Functions: PSB 6067 (3 credits)
  • Seminar in Physiological Psychology: PSB6099 (3 credits)

Students may choose electives from other core areas above as well as from the list below (pending availability).

  • Neuromuscular Adaptation to Exercise: APK 6118 (3 credits)
  • Nature and Bases of Motor Performance: APK 6205C (3 credits)
  • Cardiovascular Exercise Physiology: APK 7107 (3 credits)
  • Exercise Metabolism: APK 7117 (3 credits)
  • Free Radicals in Aging, Exercise, and Disease: APK 7124 (3 credits)
  • Pulmonary Function During Exercise: PK 7129 (3 credits)
  • Engineering Mechanics-Statics: EGM 2511 (3 credits)
  • Engineering Mechanics-Dynamics: EGM 3401 (3 credits)
  • Intermediate Dynamics: EGM 5430 (3 credits)
  • Bone Mechanics: EGM 6595 (3 credits)
  • Instructional Computing I: EME 5403 (3 credits)
  • Mechanics of the Human Locomotor System: EML 5595 (3 credits)
  • Orthopedic Biomechanics: EML 5598 (3 credits)
  • Mechanics of Gait: EML 6597 (3 credits)
  • Statistical Applications Using SPSS: PET 5936 (3 credits)
  • Advanced Practicum in ESS: APK 6940 (1-10 credits)
  • Environmental Stress Exercise Physiology: PET 7386 (3 credits)
  • Joint Morphology: PHT 6105C (3 credits)
  • Concepts in Clinical Biomechanics: PHT 6125C (3 credits)
  • Control of Gait and Posture: PHT 6127C (3 credits)
  • Neurological Aspects of Orthopedic Rehabilitation: PHT 6316 (3 credits)
  • Fundamentals of Design: STA 6200 (2 credits)

Qualifying Examination

Students are eligible to take their qualifying examinations following four semesters of study and upon approval of their supervisory committee.

It is highly recommended that the exam be completed prior to the end of the third year of Ph.D. training and preferably after the 2nd year. The purpose of the Ph.D. qualifying exam is to evaluate the student’s potential for advanced scholarly work at the Ph.D. level and is a necessary pre-requisite for continuing in the Ph.D. program.

The supervisory committee is comprised of four faculty: a chair (usually the dissertation adviser), two additional members of the APK graduate program and one outside faculty who is also a member of the graduate faculty of the University of Florida. Members outside of the graduate faculty, e.g. at other universities, can be added to the committee, but they must be in addition to these four members.

The qualifying examination is unique to each graduate program in the University. For example, the rules that apply to the exam in Biobehavioral Science do not necessarily apply to Exercise Physiology or other graduate programs. The qualifying examination must be successfully defended prior to dissertation writing. The student must be registered in the term in which the qualifying examination is given.

Students must select one of the following options. Permission must be obtained from the student’s supervisory committee prior to scheduling either examination option. Both projects must be written and submitted to the student’s supervisory committee. The supervisory committee has the responsibility at this time of deciding whether the student is qualified to continue work toward the Doctor of Philosophy degree.

Option 1

A formal written and oral examination covering both major and minor coursework. The members of the supervisory committee meet with the student several months before the examination and both student and faculty agree upon the areas to be covered by each faculty member. This should be done in writing to avoid misunderstandings.

These topics should not overlap between committee members. The topics may be defined by specific course material, general areas of exercise science, or specific sets of reading material that cover broad areas of biobehavioral science.

Prior to the examination, the members of the committee confidentially submit one or more (usually 2-3) written essay questions on their topics to the chair of the thesis supervisory committee or the graduate program administrator. The test is administered in a closed book fashion, generally over a two-day period depending on the committee’s instructions, and under direct supervision.

The exam questions are graded by the committee members as “Pass” or “Fail” and a decision is made as to whether the student a) is allowed to continue on to the oral component of the exam, b) fails the exam or c) is allowed to retake the examination.

Option 2

Conduct two research projects: one being an independent study (original data collection and article prepared for publication) and the other a conceptual (critical review) paper in a suitable research area. These efforts are to act as pilot work in the area of, or closely related to, the area of work proposed for the student’s dissertation.

The topical area and general outline of the conceptual paper option should be approved by the supervisory committee following a meeting during which the plan of study is clearly articulated and defended.

Oral Component 

Each of the two options must be defended orally. All supervisory committee members must be present at the oral examination.

The oral exam is required by the University as part of the qualifying exam and usually takes place within 2 weeks of the written component. It is important that students allow plenty of time to schedule the oral exam and it is recommended that this be done in conjunction with the scheduling of the written exam.

The length and content of the exam is determined entirely by the supervisory committee. The purpose of the oral component is:

  • To allow the student the chance to clarify any weak components of the written exam or to answer any components of the exam that were not previously addressed
  • To evaluate the ability of the student to think on his or her feet and carry on an intelligent scientific dialogue with other scientists
  • To evaluate whether the student has sufficient breadth of knowledge in biobehavioral science, kinesiology, and life science to move on to a specialized area of research

If a student fails the qualifying examination, the Graduate School must be notified immediately. A re-examination may be requested, but it must be recommended by the supervisory committee and approved by the Graduate School. At least one semester of additional preparation is considered essential before re-examination.

Admission to Candidacy

A graduate student does not become a candidate for the doctoral (PhD) degree until granted formal admission to candidacy. Such admission requires approval of the student’s supervisory committee, the department chairperson, the college dean, and the Dean of the Graduate School. Approval will be based on:

  • The academic record of the student
  • The opinion of the supervisory committee concerning overall fitness for candidacy
  • An approved dissertation topic
  • A successful qualifying examination

Application for admission to candidacy should be made as soon as the qualifying examination has been passed and the student’s supervisory committee approves a dissertation topic. A student may not register for HLP 7980 (Research and Dissertation) until he or she is admitted to candidacy for a doctoral degree.

Dissertation Proposal

The proposal is not a formal University of Florida requirement but is a requirement of the Applied Physiology Graduate Programs. The format of the proposal is determined by the student’s supervisory committee but generally takes the form of a presentation of the proposed content of the thesis and the data collected thus far, at either a private meeting of the committee or more commonly at a formal public presentation.

The proposal should be completed following admission to candidacy. A document summarizing the content of the proposed work is submitted to the graduate program administrator along with the appropriate form, approved and signed by the committee members.

Dissertation Examination

Before graduating, each student must successfully complete their research project and present the written dissertation to the supervisory committee, meeting the guidelines of the University of Florida Graduate School.

The committee will evaluate the dissertation and once their standards are met, the document is approved. At this time the student may schedule the verbal defense before the supervisory committee in an open public forum.

The supervisory committee will evaluate the dissertation in both written and oral formats. The doctoral student must be able to pass the oral defense before graduating.