Learning Outcomes

Graduates will:

• demonstrate understanding and critical evaluation of the scholarly literature in the area of specialization within human physiology and/or health promotion;
• formulate testable research questions and hypotheses resulting in proper experimental study design and analysis plans;
• conduct quantitative or qualitative research including data collection, analysis, and interpretation of results in the context of current scientific knowledge;
• present research results in oral, poster, and/or written format to the scientific community;
• prepare a research grant or fellowship for an extramural federal, state, or private funding agency; and
• prepare original research manuscript(s) as the first author for submission to a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

The Doctor of Philosophy in health and human physiology requires a minimum of 72 s.h. of graduate credit.

Doctoral students should have a strong background in the natural sciences and/or health promotion, and a working knowledge of statistics and research methodology. Students will acquire additional knowledge of statistics and research methodology after entering the program.

The PhD in health and human physiology requires the following coursework. All courses must be taken on an A–F graded basis.

Required Courses

Advanced Statistics Courses

Students complete two advanced statistics courses selected in consultation with an advisor. These may be selected from the following courses, or other course selections may be approved.

Independent Research

Students complete a minimum of 10 s.h. of HHP:6000 Research. Students are permitted, but not required, to take an additional 12 s.h. of this course and apply it toward electives, for a maximum total of 22 s.h. of this course counting toward the degree.

Dissertation

Students complete 12 s.h. of HHP:7900 Thesis: PhD. Students are permitted additional enrollments in this course to maintain the doctoral continuous registration requirement, but credits earned beyond the 12 s.h. will not count toward the PhD.

Electives

Elective courses must bring the total credit for the degree to a minimum of 72 s.h. Students may select elective courses from health and human physiology (prefix HHP) courses numbered 3000 or above, excluding the following list, and they may select other approved courses in the subsequent list. Electives courses are selected in consultation with, and must be approved by, the student’s academic advisor/mentor.

Students may take HHP:7000 Practicum in College Teaching on an S/U basis and apply it to elective credit.

Students are strongly encouraged to select electives from the following list.

Graduate education prepares students with advanced knowledge and skills in specialized fields. At the University of Iowa, the Graduate College advocates for student-centered graduate education and supports equitable application of rules and policies across graduate programs.

Academics

University of Iowa graduate credentials are regulated by policies and requirements found in the Graduate College Manual of Rules and Regulations. This includes minimum grade-point average (GPA) requirements for academic standing and degree conferral. The Graduate College sets the minimum requirement. Individual graduate programs may establish higher GPA requirements.

Admissions

Graduate student applicants must meet admission requirements for both the Graduate College and the program to which they have applied. University of Iowa graduate admission requirements are published by the Graduate College and on the Graduate Admissions website.

Financial Support

Graduate students might be eligible for financial support. Several contingencies apply, including degree program and award type, satisfactory progress toward degree, satisfactory completion of all duties related to an appointment, and availability of funding. Graduate students should inquire directly with their program for more information about funding availability. The Graduate Student Employment Standards govern the employment relationship between the University of Iowa and all graduate teaching and research assistants in all matters except wages, which are covered by an existing collective bargaining agreement or the conditions of an applicable federal grant.

Applicants to the PhD program must have a grade-point average of at least 3.00 on undergraduate work and previous graduate work. They must also meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College; see the Manual of Rules and Regulations on the Graduate College website.

Application deadline is Feb. 1 for admission the following fall.

The Pomerantz Career Center offers multiple resources to help students find internships and jobs.

Sample Plan of Study

Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.

Health and Human Physiology, PhD

a

All courses must be taken on an A-F graded basis.

b

Students must complete specific requirements in the University of Iowa Graduate College after program admission. Refer to the Graduate College website and the Manual of Rules and Regulations for more information.

c

Take four times for 1 s.h. each.

d

Complete elective courses to bring the total credit hours for the degree up to a minimum of 72 s.h. Students may select health and human physiology (prefix HHP) courses numbered 3000 or above; see the General Catalog for both the list of approved elective courses and the list of courses which not be counted toward the degree. Elective are selected in consultation with, and must be approved by, the student?s academic advisor/mentor.

e

Students complete a minimum of 10 s.h. of HHP:6000. Students are permitted, but not required, to take an additional 12 s.h. of this course and apply it toward electives, for a maximum total of 22 s.h.

f

Complete two advanced statistics courses from BIOS:5120, BIOS:5130, BIOS:6310, PSQF:6243.

g

For students entering with an MA or MS degree.

h

Students complete 12 s.h. of HHP:7900. Students are permitted additional enrollments in this course to maintain the doctoral continuous registration requirement, but credits earned beyond the 12 s.h. will not count toward the PhD.

i

For students entering with a BA or BS degree.

j

Dissertation defense.