Welcome

PhD in Human Movement Science

  Dept. of Exercise and Sports Science            Dept. of AHS  

The Department of Allied Health Sciences in the School of Medicine offers an interdisciplinary program of study in Human Movement Science leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree. The intent of the program is to develop research and teaching scholars who are capable of producing and disseminating new knowledge in the field of Human Movement Science.

Specific features of this program include:

• Developing and testing theories of normal and dysfunctional human movement;
• Applying theories of movement to maintaining and improving human movement;
• Recognizing the multifactorial nature of human movement;
• Solving problems of human movement from an interdisciplinary approach;
• Studying movement at multiple levels of analysis; and
• Addressing the unique movement problems associated with development and aging.

This program is offered with the cooperative effort of the following departments at UNC-CH: Allied Health Sciences-Division of Physical Therapy; Biomedical Engineering; Exercise and Sport Science; Orthopaedics; Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; and the Program on Aging. This curriculum in Human Movement Science is designed to provide students an opportunity to pursue doctoral studies in areas that will increase our knowledge of human movement performance. The program focuses on contributing to the scientific basis of human movement, developing theory and methods for maintaining health, preventing disability, and improving movement ability. Focusing on normal movement and movement disability requires a unique perspective in research and education that draws upon several interrelated sciences.
News and Events

Doctoral Study in Human Movement Science at UNC Chapel Hill

The Human Movement Science Program of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is seeking highly motivated graduate students interested in pursuing doctoral study in the area of human movement. Specific areas of movement related research include aging, developmental motor control, exercise physiology, musculoskeletal injury prevention and intervention, and neuromuscular disorders, rehabilitation motor control and interventions, and sports biomechanics.
We anticipate multiple opportunities for funding for (both research and teaching assistantship positions) for qualified individuals. Applicants who want to be considered for these funded positions are strongly encouraged to apply by January 1st.

Successful Candidates for Admission and Funding will have

• A strong background in the biological sciences
• Strong training in related fields such as biomechanics, exercise science, or physical therapy
• Demonstrated experience with measuring human movement
• Demonstrated experience in conducting research
• Strong computational skills
• Strong English oral and written communication skills

Candidates are also strongly encouraged to contact an individual faculty member(s) with whom they might be interested in working to discuss available opportunities in individual laboratories and the compatibility of the student's research interest with those of the faculty and program.

Our Program

The Human Movement Science Doctoral Program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the Department of Allied Health Sciences is an interdisciplinary program established through collaboration of academic units across campus including:
Division of Physical Therapy Department of Exercise and Sport ScienceDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringUNC Clinical Departments/Programs of the School of Medicine: Center for Aging and Health, Neurology, Orthopedics, and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

The intent of our program is to develop research and teaching scholars who are capable of producing and disseminating new knowledge in the field of Human Movement Science. The program has core requirements, but also is flexible and allows individualized student study plans. Students may take coursework in the areas of Research Methods, Biomechanics, Neural Bases of Motor Control, Motor Control, Neuroscience, Exercise Physiology, Physiology of Aging, Statistics, and more. In addition to the courses offered in the Human Movement Science curriculum, students can also take coursework in the areas of Biomedical Engineering, Epidemiology, and Psychology. Students are also provided with an extensive interdisciplinary research experience in several of the nationally and internationally recognized research centers and laboratories associated with the program.

Additional information concerning the program can be obtained by contacting Joseph Myers, PhD, ATC at the contact information below.

Joseph B. Myers, PhD, ATC
Director
Program in Human Movement Science
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Department of Exercise and Sport Science
305 Woollen, CB# 8700
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-8605
919-962-7543
joemyers@email.unc.edu


For questions about the program please email our Admissions office at:
atkins@email.unc.edu