PhD in Health and Exercise Science
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Program overview
The PhD in Health and Exercise Science expands your knowledge of specific areas of health sciences research, including cellular and systems physiology, intervention and rehabilitation and population health. Under the guidance of our faculty you will study the links between specialized sciences such as athletic therapy, molecular biology, neurology, nutrition and behavioural medicine. The program has a focus on prevention and supportive care. You will have access to Concordia’s School of Health and its unique, multiplex facilities. PERFORM provides an exceptional environment for health research that combines a variety of methodologies under one roof. Current research topics include motion analysis, cardiopulmonary testing, clinical imaging, biological sample analyses and socioenvironmental diagnoses. Our researchers have access to a number of university-led research centres, such as the Centre for Structural and Functional Genomics, the Centre for Research in Human Development, and the Centre for Studies in Behavioural Neurobiology, as well as many offsite research units.
Program details
Admission Requirements
- Research MSc in science (e.g., Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Physiology, Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Psychology, or Physics) from a recognized university.
- An established publication record.
- Proficiency in English. Applicants whose primary language is not English must demonstrate that their knowledge of English is sufficient to pursue graduate studies in their chosen field. Please refer to the English language proficiency page for further information on requirements and exemptions.
Degree Requirements
Fully-qualified candidates are required to complete a minimum of 90 credits.
Please see the Health, Kinesiology, and Applied Physiology Courses page for course descriptions.
Health and Exercise Science PhD (90 credits)
| 6 | credits of Required Courses: |
| 6 | credits of Electives Courses chosen from: |
| 6 | credits: |
| 3 | credits: |
| 69 | credits: |
Your completed application will include:
- Application form and Fee
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Two letters of reference
- Department of Health, Kinesiology, and Applied Physiology graduate entrance form
- Transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended
- Proof of Canadian citizenship (if applicable)
- Applicants whose primary language is not English, are required to submit official language test scores, unless exempted.
Please apply online. Read the how-to guide for application procedures.
Courses offered include:
- Grant writing, Scientific Communication, and Pedagogy in Health and Exercise Science
- Special Topics in Health and Exercise Science
- Advanced Topics in Health and Exercise Science: Physiology Module
- Advanced Topics in Health and Exercise Science: Intervention Module
- Advanced Topics in Health and Exercise Science: Population health Module
Consult the graduate calendar for a complete list of current courses
Consideration for Entrance Awards is automatically part of the admissions process for all applicants. Graduate students receive a base annual stipend of $20,000 per annum. Funding comes from an arrangement of sources, including principal investigator grants, teaching assistantships, internal awards and prizes, and externals scholarships.
Targeted Graduate Funding
PhD in Health & Exercise Science: Concussion Electrophysiology and Rehabilitation Research
Postdoctoral Fellowship: Enhancing the personalisation of an eHealth behaviour change program (ACCELERATION) using automatic expression recognition (AER)
Postdoctoral Fellowship: International COVID-19 study
PhD: Behaviour Change Communication Training for Healthcare Professionals (MOTIVATOR Program)
PhD: Impact of bariatric surgery on nutrition, microbiome, and brain health
Research-active faculty members have received the highest honours from the Canada and Concordia University Research Chairs Programs. They also publish regularly in some of the highest peer-reviewed journals in physiology or behavioural sciences, including Neurology, the Journal or Neuroscience, the Journal of Physiology, Journal of Pain, PNAS, Chest, Circulation and Lancet Oncology.
Faculty research interests include:
- injury prevention and rehabilitation
- physiological mechanisms of vascular control
- biomechanics of human movement
- cardiorespiratory health and exercise
- movement and balance control in neuromuscular disorders
- sleep physiology and health
- neural coding in normal and pathological brain systems
- nutrition and body composition
- behavioural medicine and chronic illnesses
- clinical and fundamental research on pain
- the immune system and multiple sclerosis
- cancer and exercise physiology
- clinical athletic therapy
Review an inspiring list of thesis topics.
Our alumni are highly sought after by universities for post-doctoral and research fellowships, tenure-track positions, and teaching appointments. Many have found positions in the areas of physiology, kinesiology, psychology, neuroscience, experimental medicine, geography and urban planning.
Graduates are also well-positioned to secure jobs at equipment companies such as TechnoGym, Nautilus and Cybex, as well as at large pharmaceutical companies, including Merck Frosst and GlaxoSmithKline. A number of our alumni also work within the health care sector as health and exercise program developers, technical supervisors, and policymakers.