Doctor of Philosophy in Kinesiology (Biomechanics and Motor Behavior)

Website: https://twu.edu/kinesiology/graduate-programs/biomechanics/

The Ph.D. in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Biomechanics and Motor Behavior prepares students with the experimental and analytical tools to be researchers and leaders. Well-equipped facilities in Pioneer Hall permit research studies on persons with and without disabilities in the areas of stress testing, body composition assessment, bone density, cardiovascular respiratory analysis, blood biochemistry analysis that includes glucose, lactate, insulin, C-peptide, and a variety of other hormones and metabolites; isokinetic, isometric, and isotonic strength testing; anthropometry; telemetry; and high-speed motion analysis.

Marketable Skills

Defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's 60x30 Strategic Plan as, "Those skills valued by employers that can be applied in a variety of work settings, including interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skills areas. These skills can be either primary or complementary to a major and are acquired by students through education, including curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular activities."

1. Successfully solicit meaningful, noble biomechanical research questions.

2. Successfully plan and design biomechanical research studies with valid research hypotheses.

3. Successfully conduct biomechanical studies and draw valid conclusions.

4. Successfully disseminate and apply the research findings and bridge the gap between academia and practice.

 

Admissions

All students must meet the University requirements as outlined in the Admission to the TWU Graduate School section of the catalog.

This academic program may have additional admission criteria that must also be completed as outlined on the program's website.

Degree Requirements

Total Semester Credit Hours Required

96 semester credit hours, including approved semester credit hours from master’s level work and 6 semester credit hours for dissertation.

Required Courses
KINS 5033Applied Statistical Principles (Research tools)3
KINS 6043Statistical Inference (Research tools)3
KINS 6113Seminar3
KINS 6143Research Design in Kinesiology (Research tools)3
HSC 6831Integration of Theory and Research in Health Sciences1
Emphasis Area (Must select one)77
Dissertation
KINS 6983Dissertation (I)3
KINS 6993Dissertation (II)3
Total SCHs96

 Biomechanics and Motor Behavior Emphasis

KINS 5513Mechanical Analysis of Human Motion3
KINS 6523Advanced Biomechanics3
KINS 6563Human Motor Control3
KINS 6573Motor Learning and Performance3
KINS 6623Biomechanical Analysis I: Motion Analysis3
KINS 6643Biomechanical Analysis II: Data Acquisition and Instrumentation3
KINS 6813Advanced Research in Kinesiology (Taken 4 times)12
Minor or Related Studies (As approved by Advisory Committee)21
May include
Matrix Algebra
Differential Equations
Statistical Methods I (Research Tools)
Statistical Methods II (Research Tools)
Independent Study
Fundamentals of Informatics
Statistical Programming (Research Tools)
Independent Study
Independent Study
Electives or Appropriate Coursework from Master's Degree (As approved by Advisory Committee)26
May include
Aging and Health
Environmental Health
Professional Affiliation
Theory of Coaching
Sport Psychology
Sport Conditioning and Nutrition
Technical Skills Analysis
Physiological Responses During Alternative Modes of Exercise
Advanced Exercise Physiology
Environmental Exercise Physiology
Growth and Perceptual Motor Development for Individuals with Low Incidence Disabilities
Cardiovascular Response to Exercise
Applied Techniques in Biomechanics and Exercise Physiology
APA I: Disability Sport and Fitness
APA II: Disability Sport and Fitness
Advanced Research in Kinesiology
Special Topics
Independent Study
Total SCHs77

Required Courses

13 semester credit hours.

Emphasis

77 semester credit hours, depending on emphasis area and recommendations of the Advisory Committee. Includes Minor or Related Studies and/or Electives and Appropriate Coursework from Master's Degree in consultation with the Advisory Committee.

Dissertation

Six semester credit hours. 

Special Requirements

At least nine semester credit hours of course work must be taken outside the major.

Research Tools

The student in consultation with the Advisory Committee will determine 12 semester credit hours designated as research tools.

Qualifying Examination

The exam is comprised of four written sections over selected areas of the student’s emphases and an oral defense of written responses. May be repeated once.

Final Examination

Oral examination conducted by the Dissertation Committee over the candidate’s research after the dissertation is completed. May be repeated at the discretion of the committee.