School of Applied Physiology - General Information

Established in 2002 (formerly Department of Health and Performance Sciences,
established 1990; and Physical Education and Recreation, established 1942)
Location: Weber/SST Building
Centennial Research Building
Telephone: 404.894.3986
Fax: 404.894.9982
Web site: www.ap.gatech.edu

General Information

Faculty in the School of Applied Physiology are focused on understanding the science of movement, the physiological basis of movement control, and on instruction related to the importance of maintaining sound physiological systems. Our approach to these tasks involves every biological level utilizing both basic and applied sciences. For example, attempts to understand how molecules transmit signals in skeletal muscle have a foundation in basic molecular biology and ultimately relate to the applied science of movement control. Faculty interests range from systems physiology (Chang, Kogler, Millard-Stafford, Nichols, Prilutsky, Shinohara, Sprigle, Wheaton) to the molecular/cellular levels (Balog, Burkholder). At the undergraduate-level, the School instructs all Georgia Tech students in their health and wellness requirement and offers a Certificate in Applied Physiology enriching students’ desire for pre-medical and allied health science (e.g., physical therapy) education. At the graduate-level, the School administers master’s and doctoral degree programs. A focused Master of Science in Prosthetics and Orthotics (MSPO) program offers cutting-edge instruction coupled with sound clinical training and a foundation in movement science. The accredited MSPO program graduated its first class in 2004. The PhD program in Applied Physiology, approved by the Board of Regents, began its first class in 2005, offering research tracks in muscle physiology, ryanodine receptor function, exercise metabolism, locomotion neuromechanics and prosthetics/orthotics. The School is unique to the Georgia Tech community but founded in interdisciplinary teaching and research fundamental to the mission of the Institute.