Profile of the Programme

The doctoral degree in Exercise Science and Physical Education at the University of Nicosia is awarded for the creation and interpretation of knowledge, which extends the forefront of this specific discipline through original research and critical thinking.  Holders of doctorates will be able to conceptualize, design and implement projects for the generation of significant new knowledge and/or understanding.  Furthermore, they will have the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring the exercise of personal responsibility and largely autonomous initiative in complex and unpredictable situations, in professional or equivalent environments.

The main objectives of the programme are to:

• Provide students with the coursework, laboratory, and practical experiences to become leading sports and exercise scientists, educators and researchers.
• Enable students to understand and apply a significant unique research experience contributing to the research and the literature of the studied academic field.
• Prepare graduates for a career in academia or research in various settings including colleges and universities, public and private agencies, health centers and clinical environments, government and business.
• Enable graduates to choose specialization upon their preference.

Specifically, the doctoral students are expected:

1. Become skillful in scholarly writing.
2. Develop sufficient expertise in content knowledge, skills in laboratory methods, and knowledge of research methods and statistics to provide a platform for a line of inquiry related to the student’s concentration and research interests.
3. Acquire knowledge about the responsible conduct of research through mentoring, course work, workshops, and other resources, and practice ethical behaviors in research.
4. Learn about and abide by the codes of conduct or ethics associated with professional organizations in their chosen disciplines.
5. Participate actively in lab/disciplinary meetings, departmental seminars, thesis/dissertation proposal and defense meetings, and professional/scientific conferences.
6. Participate in research endeavors consistently throughout doctoral study by assisting with faculty and graduate student research projects and by conducting one’s own research (including the research practicum and dissertation projects).
7. Present research papers at professional- relevant meetings prior to graduation and present dissertation findings during the dissertation defense.
8. Publish research papers, derived from their PhD project, in peer reviewed journals, if possible, prior to graduation, and/or submit dissertation findings for publication within 12 months following the dissertation defense.
9. Develop the skills to write up and submit a research proposal to a funding agency and/or assist a faculty member with a grant proposal, prior to graduation.
10. Continue to undertake pure and/or applied research and development at an advanced level, contributing substantially to the development of new techniques, ideas or approaches.

Access to Further Studies

Upon graduation, students would have obtained the highest academic title possible.

Career Prospects

Holders of Doctorates will be able to conceptualize, design and implement projects for the generation of significant new knowledge and/or understanding. Furthermore, they will have the qualities needed for employment requiring the ability to make informed judgments on complex issues in specialist fields, and innovation in tackling and solving problems.

Graduates from the current PhD programme may be employed in the following areas:

• Post-Doctoral research fellows
• Academicians in Universities/Colleges
• Leaders in PE settings
• Advanced Exercise science and/or PE educators/specialists
• Physical health policy advocates
• Lead Sports and Exercise Science and/or PE researchers
• Scientists for National agencies
• Scientists-Consultants for industries (e.g. sport equipment, fitness and health, research equipment)
• Laboratory Directors/ stuff for Sports and Exercise Science research centers or universities