Kinesiology: Motor Control and Behavior, Ph.D.

Program Overview

The Motor Control and Behavior named option in the Kinesiology Ph.D. program at UW-Madison focuses on the psychological and neurophysiological foundations of motor control, learning, and development. Students develop as independent researchers through coursework, research, and mentorship, preparing them for careers in academia, research, or related fields. The program emphasizes a broad understanding of motor behavior, allowing students to specialize in control, learning, or developmental issues.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This is a named option in the Kinesiology, Ph.D. For more information, please see our program website. The graduate program in Motor Control and Behavior involves advanced study of the psychological and neurophysiological foundations of motor control, motor learning, motor development, and disorders of movement. The program emphasizes the development of a competent independent researcher and is designed to provide a thorough grounding in the area of motor performance, exposing the student to the underlying theoretical processes that influence the control, acquisition, and development of motor behavior. Students may focus specifically on control, learning, or developmental issues, or design their program to expose them to a broad range of study in motor behavior. The graduate student will work closely with his/her advisor in both formal and informal educational settings. Students entering the Motor Control and Behavior named option in the Kinesiology Ph.D should have a commitment to research in the motor control and behavior area. Within the first year, the graduate student is usually conducting research under close supervision. Students are encouraged to begin research early and to engage in it throughout their graduate career.

Outline:

• Coursework:
• Required Courses:
• KINES 900 Seminar in Kinesiology (1 credit each semester for a minimum of 4 credits)
• KINES 990 Research or Thesis (4+ credits)
• KINES 991 Research in Physical Activity- Theory and Design (3 credits)
• Statistics (2 courses required, chosen in consultation with advisor):
• ED PSYCH 760 & ED PSYCH 761 Statistical Methods Applied to Education I and Statistical Methods Applied to Education II
• STAT/F&W ECOL/HORT 571 & STAT/F&W ECOL/HORT 572 Statistical Methods for Bioscience I and Statistical Methods for Bioscience II
• General Field Requirement (4-6 credits): At least 2 graduate level courses of at least 2 credits each in Kinesiology, at UW-Madison, outside of the Motor Control & Behavior area.
• Suggested Elective Courses:
• KINES 713 Neural Basis of Normal and Pathological Movement
• KINES 721 Neural Basis for Movement
• KINES 861 Principles of Motor Control and Learning
• KINES 951 Seminar-Biomechanics
• KINES 961 Seminar in Motor Control and Learning
• Research:
• Students are expected to begin research early in their graduate career and to engage in it throughout their graduate career.
• Several laboratories (human, animal) are available for research in the area of Motor Control and Behavior:
• Human Motor Behavior Laboratory
• Motor Systems Physiology Laboratory
• Sensory Motor Integration Lab (SMIL)
• Neuromuscular Coordination Laboratory

Assessment:

• Students must pass preliminary exams administered by a three member faculty committee.