Biomechanics and Kinesiology, PhD
The doctoral degree in biomechanics and kinesiology at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is a joint program between the Department of Biomechanics and the School of Health and Kinesiology. The degree is based on the physiology, biochemistry, biophysics, motor control and development, and psychology of human movement. The program is aimed at developing researchers who are working to improve movement function and physical activity using evidence-based approaches through interdisciplinary clinical and translational research. A problem-solving approach is used across the age and health spectrum for disease prevention, health enhancement, physical rehabilitation, and motivation for physical activity. The program offers four areas of concentration in biomechanics, physiology of exercise, motor development and control, and physical activity.
Program Related Information
Program Contact
Program Website
Admissions
General Application Requirements and Admission Criteria
Application Deadlines
Spring 2026, Summer 2026, and Fall 2026: Applications for this program are accepted on a rolling basis. All materials must be submitted prior to the beginning of the semester in which the student has elected to begin coursework. To receive full consideration for departmental assistantships, applications must be received by January 31st.
Other Requirements
- GPA of 3.2 in master’s program or in the last 30 hours of previous graduate work
- Master’s degree, or minimum of 30 graduate hours in a related field, e.g., health, physical therapy
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English Language Proficiency: Applicants are required to have a command of oral and written English. Those who do not hold a baccalaureate or other advanced degree from the United States, OR a baccalaureate or other advanced degree from a predetermined country on the waiver list, must meet the minimum language proficiency score requirement in order to be considered for admission.
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Internet-based TOEFL: 80, IELTS: 6.5, PTE: 53 with a score of at least 20 in all categories (listening, reading, writing, and speaking), Duolingo: 110
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- Statement of Purpose: Needs to state goals and objectives for seeking the degree. Students will identify their intended area of focus and the name of the faculty advisor with whom they wish to work (maximum 500 words).
- Writing Sample: Provide a writing sample which could include: first-author scientific paper, thesis proposal, research paper, or similar example showcasing the student's aptitude for writing.
- Resume/CV
- Letters of Recommendation: Three are required
- Undergraduate Course Deficiencies: these courses are determined by the student's mentor in collaboration with their supervisory committee. Each student's individual deficiency courses will be approved in their program of study.
- Identification and confirmation by a faculty member willing to act as advisor and mentor to the student (see program-related information). The applicant is expected to contact a potential advisor to determine if a suitable match in interests exists. This assures that the student will be able to develop a program of study that meets the specific goals intended. Please note that assistantship funding is a separate process and should be discussed with your faculty mentor.
Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | 21 | |
| RESEARCH IN HEALTH & KINESIOLOGY | ||
or BMKI 9031 | BIOSTATISTICS IN BIOMECHANICS I | |
| ADVANCED STATISTICS | ||
or BMKI 9040 | BIOSTATISTICS IN BIOMECHANICS II | |
| GRANT WRITING FOR THE BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES | ||
| PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH | ||
| Take the following course for a minimum of 9 credit hours: | ||
| DOCTORAL SEMINAR | ||
| Concentrations | ||
| See Biomechanics and Kinesiology, PhD Concentrations | 24 | |
| BMKI 9990 | DISSERTATION | 15 |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
- 1
If required courses have previously been taken, additional research core courses must be taken in order to meet the 21-hour requirement.
- 2
This seminar is designed to enhance success in academia and maximize the student’s research experiences. The student will be required to register for at least 9 credit hours (typically 3 hours per semester following their first year in the program). In these credit hours the student will attend formal reading clubs with the advisor where he/she will be engaged in reviewing the related literature via journal articles, conducting research projects, reviews of literature, meta-analyses, etc. In addition, the student will be taught how to write successful grants and develop a successful line of research. Each semester for a graded outcome, the student will have to produce material such as a manuscript based on data acquired in the laboratory from the ideas developed in the seminar, a grant that will support the research ideas developed, or significant progress on a research-related project. Students will co-develop these graded outcomes each semester and submit them for approval to the doctoral program committee.
Exit Requirements
- Comprehensive Examination
- Dissertation
Program Related Information
Advisor
- Preliminary contact is made with a potential advisor prior to applying to the program. Prior to being admitted, a student must confirm mentorship with an advisor based on mutual interests and willingness of the advisor to take on the student.
Program of Study (must have 45 hours remaining after approval)
- The student and his/her advisor will determine the program of study, including the required courses, deficiency courses, and general area of research for the dissertation. The program of study must be completed by the end of the first year and approved by the faculty mentor and one additional faculty member from their respective school or department (considered the program committee) as well as the Doctoral Program Committee chair. After this approval, the student will submit the program of study form with course information to the Office of Graduate. Please note, no more than six independent study/research credit hours are recommended; however, the program of study is determined by the student, faculty mentor, and an additional faculty member in the school or department.
Comprehensive Exam
- The required comprehensive exam will be taken towards the end of the student's coursework. The supervisory committee, in conjunction with the student will determine the nature of the exam; the exam could include a take-home exam followed by an oral defense, or writing an NIH-type grant followed by an oral exam. The supervisory committee will evaluate the exam. Once a student passes their comprehensive exam they are considered a doctoral candidate.
Dissertation Committee
- In the first semester of a students’ third year, the student must form a dissertation committee. The student must submit the Appointment of Dissertation Committee form consisting of at least four University of Nebraska graduate faculty members, one of whom must be from outside the student’s academic department/school in which the doctorate is to be granted. The chair of the dissertation committee must be a member of the graduate faculty. The outside representative must hold graduate faculty status within the NU system. The dean for Graduate Studies at UNO will appoint the committee upon recommendation of the advisor. The committee will be responsible for approving the comprehensive exam, dissertation proposal, dissertation, and its oral defense. Please note, if the potential objectives of a dissertation topic change, the dissertation committee can be altered at any time.
Dissertation Proposal Form
- Within one year of successfully completing the comprehensive exam and being admitted to candidacy, a formal research proposal for the dissertation topic should be presented to the supervisory committee. The format of the proposal is subject to approval by the advisor and the supervisory committee. The proposal could include a formal written proposal with an oral defense or oral presentation of the proposed research project.
Dissertation
- After successfully completing the comprehensive exam and being admitted to degree candidacy, the student must register for at least one credit hour of dissertation for each semester until completion of the degree. A minimum of 15 hours of dissertation credit must be completed within the course of the degree.
- It is expected that the dissertation will result in manuscript submissions in referred journals in the discipline.
- Upon completion of the dissertation, an updated CV and the program exit survey must be submitted to the Doctoral Program Committee chair.
Residency
- The residency will be reasonably compact, continuous, and coherent, and a substantial portion done at and under close supervision of the university. Most of the students in the program will be full-time and continuously enrolled.
Concentrations
Biomechanics Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | 15 | |
| ADVANCED BIOMECHANICS | ||
| ADVANCED BIOMECHANICS II | ||
| MOTOR LEARNING I | ||
or BMKI 9411 | MOTOR CONTROL I | |
or BMKI 9421 | MOTOR DEVELOPMENT | |
| MOTOR LEARNING II | ||
or BMKI 9510 | MOTOR CONTROL II | |
or BMKI 9520 | MOTOR DEVELOPMENT II | |
| CLASSICAL MECHANICS | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select 9 hours from the following: | 9 | |
| BIOINSPIRED ROBOTICS | ||
| METHODS IN BIOMECHANICS I | ||
| METHODS IN BIOMECHANICS II | ||
| ORTHOPEDIC BIOMECHANICS | ||
BMKI 9101 | Nonlinear Analysis for Movement Studies | |
| IMPLEMENTING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN DIVERSE POPULATIONS | ||
| PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ASSESSMENT AND HEALTH RELATED RESEARCH | ||
| MATLAB FOR MOVEMENT SCIENCES | ||
| METHODS IN CARDIOVASCULAR BIOMATERIALS RESEARCH | ||
| SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS | ||
| MOTOR CONTROL I | ||
| MOTOR DEVELOPMENT | ||
| MOTOR CONTROL II | ||
| MOTOR DEVELOPMENT II | ||
| EXERCISE FOR SPECIAL POPULATIONS | ||
| MUSCULOSKELETAL SIMULATION | ||
| INDEPENDENT STUDY IN BIOMECHANICS | ||
| ADVANCED EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY | ||
| ADVANCED EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY II | ||
| MATHEMATICS OF BIOMECHANICAL DATA PROCESSING | ||
BSEN 814 | Medical Imaging Systems | |
BSEN 912 | Advanced Diagnostic Ultrasound Imaging | |
CEEN 8336 | Microprocessor System Design | |
CEEN 8366 | Embedded Microcontroller Design | |
CIP 814 | Scientific Writing | |
CIP 817 | Applied Scientific Writing | |
| DATA STRUCTURES | ||
| ADVANCED COMPUTER GRAPHICS | ||
| PRINCIPLES OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE | ||
| PATTERN RECOGNITION | ||
| NUMERICAL LINEAR ALGEBRA | ||
| NUMERICAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS | ||
| 3D COMPUTER GRAPHICS | ||
| HUMAN COMPUTER INTERACTION | ||
ELEC 8606 | Labview Programming | |
ELEC 8636 | Digital Signal Processing | |
ELEC 9150 | Adaptive Signal Processing | |
| PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL WRITING | ||
GCBA 812 | Human Neuranatomy | |
| HEALTH ASPECTS OF AGING | ||
| SEMINAR IN AGING AND HUMAN BEHAVIOR | ||
| ANALYSIS OF RESEARCH AND LITERATURE IN HUMAN MOVEMENT | ||
| QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS | ||
| SPECIAL TOPICS IN IT INNOVATION | ||
| PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS | ||
| ORDINARY DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS | ||
| DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF ALGORITHMS | ||
| DETERMINISTIC OPERATIONS RESEARCH MODELS | ||
| PROBABILISTIC OPERATIONS RESEARCH MODELS | ||
| DYNAMICAL SYSTEMS AND CHAOS | ||
| TOPICS IN APPLIED MATHEMATICS | ||
| ADVANCED TOPICS IN APPLIED MATHEMATICS | ||
| SYSTEMS NEUROSCIENCE | ||
| CLINICAL EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY | ||
| CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE PREVENTION AND REHABILITATION | ||
| ELEMENTS OF ELECTRONICS | ||
| PROSEMINAR: STATISTICAL METHODS I | ||
| PROSEMINAR: STATISTICAL METHODS II | ||
| PROSEMINAR: COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY | ||
| Total Credits | 24 | |
Motor Development and Control Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | 15 | |
| MOTOR DEVELOPMENT | ||
| ADVANCED BIOMECHANICS II | ||
| MOTOR LEARNING II | ||
| MOTOR CONTROL II | ||
BMKI 9101 | Nonlinear Analysis for Movement Studies | |
| Electives | ||
| Select 9 hours from the following: | 9 | |
| METHODS IN BIOMECHANICS I | ||
| METHODS IN BIOMECHANICS II | ||
| PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ASSESSMENT AND HEALTH RELATED RESEARCH | ||
| MATLAB FOR MOVEMENT SCIENCES | ||
| METHODS IN CARDIOVASCULAR BIOMATERIALS RESEARCH | ||
| SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS | ||
| MOTOR LEARNING I | ||
| MOTOR CONTROL I | ||
| MOTOR DEVELOPMENT II | ||
| ADVANCED BIOMECHANICS | ||
| MATHEMATICS OF BIOMECHANICAL DATA PROCESSING | ||
| HIGHER EDUCATION TEACHING SEMINAR | ||
| SERVICE EXPERIENCE IN HIGHER EDUCATION | ||
| EXERCISE FOR SPECIAL POPULATIONS | ||
| MUSCULOSKELETAL SIMULATION | ||
| INDEPENDENT STUDY IN BIOMECHANICS | ||
| ADVANCED EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY | ||
| ADVANCED EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY II | ||
| COMPUTER GRAPHICS | ||
| HUMAN COMPUTER INTERACTION | ||
ELEC 8606 | Labview Programming | |
ELEC 8636 | Digital Signal Processing | |
ELEC 9150 | Adaptive Signal Processing | |
| PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL WRITING | ||
| HEALTH ASPECTS OF AGING | ||
| SEMINAR IN AGING AND HUMAN BEHAVIOR | ||
| SYSTEMS NEUROSCIENCE | ||
| CLINICAL EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY | ||
| IMPLEMENTING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN DIVERSE POPULATIONS | ||
| CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE PREVENTION AND REHABILITATION | ||
| PSYCHOLOGY OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY | ||
| ANALYSIS OF RESEARCH AND LITERATURE IN HUMAN MOVEMENT | ||
| QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS | ||
| DYNAMICAL SYSTEMS AND CHAOS | ||
| ADVANCED TOPICS IN APPLIED MATHEMATICS | ||
| PROSEMINAR: COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY | ||
| PROSEMINAR: BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE | ||
| PROSEMINAR: DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY | ||
UNMC: GCBA 812, PEDS 913, PHYT 942 | ||
| Total Credits | 24 | |
Physical Activity Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | 15 | |
| IMPLEMENTING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN DIVERSE POPULATIONS | ||
| PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ASSESSMENT AND HEALTH RELATED RESEARCH | ||
| SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS | ||
| PSYCHOLOGY OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY | ||
| PHYSICAL ACTIVITY EPIDEMIOLOGY | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select 9 hours from the following: | 9 | |
| CURRENT TOPICS IN WEIGHT MANAGEMENT | ||
| CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE PREVENTION AND REHABILITATION | ||
| ADVANCED EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY | ||
| HIGHER EDUCATION TEACHING SEMINAR | ||
| SERVICE EXPERIENCE IN HIGHER EDUCATION | ||
| MOTOR LEARNING I | ||
| MOTOR CONTROL I | ||
| MOTOR DEVELOPMENT | ||
| ADVANCED BIOMECHANICS | ||
| ADVANCED BIOMECHANICS II | ||
| MOTOR LEARNING II | ||
| MOTOR CONTROL II | ||
| MOTOR DEVELOPMENT II | ||
| PLANNING WORKSITE WELLNESS PROGRAMS | ||
| RISK MANAGEMENT FOR HEALTH FITNESS PROFESSIONALS | ||
| INTERNSHIP IN EXERCISE SCIENCE | ||
| TOPICS IN SPORTS MEDICINE | ||
| SPECIAL STUDIES | ||
| RESEARCH PROJECT | ||
| PROBLEMS & ISSUES IN HPER | ||
| ANALYSIS OF RESEARCH AND LITERATURE IN HUMAN MOVEMENT | ||
| QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS | ||
| EPIDEMIOLOGY & PREVENTION OF DISEASE | ||
| WOMEN'S HEALTH AND ISSUES OF DIVERSITY | ||
| PROGRAM EVALUATION AND INSTRUMENTATION | ||
| HEALTH ASPECTS OF STRESS MANAGEMENT | ||
| GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS I | ||
| GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS II | ||
| PROBABILISTIC OPERATIONS RESEARCH MODELS | ||
| TOPICS IN APPLIED MATHEMATICS | ||
| HEALTH CARE POLICY | ||
| PERSONNEL PSYCHOLOGY | ||
| PROSEMINAR: PERSONALITY | ||
| PROSEMINAR: SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY | ||
| SOCIOEMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT | ||
| PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT | ||
| HEALTH & SOCIETY | ||
UNMC: BIOS 823, BIOS 825, BIOS 810, EPI 821, EPI 835, EPI 845, HPRO 902, HPRO 910, HPRO 998. | ||
| Total Credits | 24 | |
Physiology of Exercise Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| BMKI 9951 | ADVANCED EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY | 3 |
| BMKI 9960 | ADVANCED EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY II | 3 |
| BMKI 9851 | EXERCISE FOR SPECIAL POPULATIONS | 3 |
| KINS 8076 | OPTIMIZING SPORTS PERFORMANCE | 3 |
| KINS 8086 | CLINICAL EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select 9 hours from the following: | 9 | |
| IMPLEMENTING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN DIVERSE POPULATIONS | ||
| PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ASSESSMENT AND HEALTH RELATED RESEARCH | ||
| SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS | ||
| MOTOR LEARNING I | ||
| MOTOR CONTROL I | ||
| MOTOR DEVELOPMENT | ||
| ADVANCED BIOMECHANICS | ||
| ADVANCED BIOMECHANICS II | ||
| MOTOR LEARNING II | ||
| MOTOR CONTROL II | ||
| HIGHER EDUCATION TEACHING SEMINAR | ||
| SERVICE EXPERIENCE IN HIGHER EDUCATION | ||
| CELLULAR BIOLOGY | ||
| BIOCHEMISTRY I LABORATORY | ||
| BIOCHEMISTRY II LABORATORY | ||
| CURRENT TOPICS IN WEIGHT MANAGEMENT | ||
| PLANNING WORKSITE WELLNESS PROGRAMS | ||
| SPORT IN AMERICAN CULTURE | ||
| CURRICULUM IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION | ||
| BEHAVIORAL ASPECTS OF COACHING | ||
| RISK MANAGEMENT FOR HEALTH FITNESS PROFESSIONALS | ||
| CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE PREVENTION AND REHABILITATION | ||
| PSYCHOLOGY OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY | ||
| INTERNSHIP IN EXERCISE SCIENCE | ||
| TOPICS IN SPORTS MEDICINE | ||
| SPECIAL STUDIES | ||
| PROBLEMS & ISSUES IN HPER | ||
| RESEARCH PROJECT | ||
| ANALYSIS OF RESEARCH AND LITERATURE IN HUMAN MOVEMENT | ||
| QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS | ||
BIOC 827 | Metabolic Regulatory Mechanisms | |
| Total Credits | 24 | |