The MS degree offers a core curriculum that emphasizes understanding the effects of food and nutrients on the human body. The program includes aspects of professional development, critical thinking, and scientific communication. Electives associated with each of the specializations help prepare students for further studies in doctoral or professional degrees, as well as careers in government agencies, industry, and professional practice. A minimum of 35 credits is required for the M.S. degree.
The Food Science Specialization includes elective studies oriented toward a better understanding of how food products are designed, processed, and preserved, food safety considerations, as well as how food components interact with each other and the human body for improved health.
Students interested in graduate work should refer to the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion, students will be able to:
- Conduct research meeting the standards of the discipline. This includes identifying an appropriate research problem, critically reviewing the literature, designing and implementing appropriate research protocols, analyzing data, and arriving at appropriate conclusions and implications. Students will be able to communicate the design, methodology, and results of their research both orally and in writing.
- Demonstrate mastery of fundamental food science principles while incorporating other core areas, including statistics, biochemistry, physiology, food safety, and microbiology.
- Competently apply food science knowledge and skills in a work environment.
- Effectively disseminate research findings.
Effective Fall 2021
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| FSHN 692 | Seminar | 1 |
| FTEC 570 | Food Product Development | 2 |
| FTEC 572 | Food Biotechnology | 2 |
| FTEC 574 | Current Issues in Food Safety | 2 |
| FTEC 576 | Cereal Science | 2 |
| FTEC 578/HORT 578 | Phytochemicals and Probiotics for Health | 3 |
| Thesis | ||
| FTEC 699 | Thesis | 10 |
| Required Statistics/Research Methods – Select one course from the following: | 3-4 | |
| Introduction to Research Methods | ||
| Principles: Quantitative Data Analysis | ||
| Qualitative Research | ||
| Qualitative Data Analysis | ||
| Methods of Research in Psychology I | ||
| Methods of Research in Psychology II | ||
| Design and Data Analysis for Researchers I | ||
| Electives | 9-10 | |
Select a minimum of 9 credits not taken elsewhere in the program in consultation with the graduate committee (see Example Elective Courses list below) | ||
| Program Total Credits: | 35 | |
Example Elective Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ANEQ 565 | Interpreting Animal Science Research | 3 |
| ANEQ 567 | HACCP Meat Safety | 2 |
| ANEQ 660 | Topics in Meat Safety | 1 |
| BC 463 | Molecular Genetics | 3 |
| BC 513 | Enzymology | 1 |
| BC 517 | Metabolism | 2 |
| BC 565 | Molecular Regulation of Cell Function | 4 |
| BC 665A | Advanced Topics in Cell Regulation: Microscopic Methods | 2 |
| BC 665B | Advanced Topics in Cell Regulation: Modern Methods | 2 |
| BC 701 | Grant Proposal Writing and Reviewing | 1 |
| BMS 500 | Mammalian Physiology I | 4 |
| BMS 501 | Mammalian Physiology II | 4 |
| CBE 504/BIOM 504 | Fundamentals of Biochemical Engineering | 3 |
| CHEM 431 | Instrumental Analysis | 4 |
| CM 502/NB 502 | Techniques in Molecular & Cellular Biology | 2 |
| EDRM 600 | Introduction to Research Methods | 3 |
| EDRM 606 | Principles: Quantitative Data Analysis | 3 |
| EDRM 704 | Qualitative Research | 3 |
| EDRM 705 | Qualitative Data Analysis | 3 |
| ERHS 510/VS 510 | Cancer Biology | 3 |
| ERHS 611 | Cancer Genetics | 2 |
| FSHN 500 | Food Systems, Nutrition, and Food Security | 2 |
| FSHN 540 | Nutrigenomics and Advanced Lipid Metabolism | 3 |
| FSHN 550 | Advanced Nutritional Science I | 3 |
| FSHN 551 | Advanced Nutritional Science II | 3 |
| FSHN 561 | International Nutrition Studies | 2 |
| FSHN 600 | Responsible Conduct of Research | 1 |
| FSHN 640 | Selected Topics in Nutritional Epidemiology | 2 |
| FSHN 650A | Recent Developments in Human Nutrition: Protein, Vitamins, and Minerals | 2 |
| FSHN 650B | Recent Developments in Human Nutrition: Carbohydrates, Lipids, and Energy | 2 |
| FSHN 650C | Recent Developments in Human Nutrition: Genomic, Proteomics, and Metabolomics | 2 |
| FSHN 695A | Independent Study: Food Science | 1-3 |
| FSHN 696A | Group Study: Food Science | 1-3 |
| HORT 401 | Medicinal and Value-Added Uses of Plants | 3 |
| JTC 662 | Communicating Science and Technology | 3 |
| MIP 334 | Food Microbiology | 3 |
| MIP 335 | Food Microbiology Laboratory | 2 |
| MIP 443 | Microbial Physiology | 4 |
| MIP 450 | Microbial Genetics | 3 |
| MIP 533/VS 533 | Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases/Zoonoses | 3 |
| MIP 555 | Principles and Mechanisms of Disease | 3 |
| MIP 624 | Advanced Topics in Microbial Ecology | 2 |
| MIP 651 | Immunobiology | 3 |
| PSY 652 | Methods of Research in Psychology I | 4 |
| PSY 653 | Methods of Research in Psychology II | 4 |
| SOCR 755 | Advanced Soil Microbiology | 3 |
| STAR 511 | Design and Data Analysis for Researchers I | 4 |
| STAR 512 | Design and Data Analysis for Researchers II | 4 |
| VS 562 | Applied Data Analysis | 3 |
A minimum of 35 credits are required to complete this program.
Effective Summer 2021
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | 12 | |
| Seminar | ||
| Food Product Development | ||
| Food Biotechnology | ||
| Current Issues in Food Safety | ||
| Cereal Science | ||
| Phytochemicals and Probiotics for Health | ||
| Research Project | 4 | |
| Research | ||
| Required Statistics/Research Methods Courses – Select one course from the following: | 3-4 | |
| Introduction to Research Methods | ||
| Principles: Quantitative Data Analysis | ||
| Qualitative Research | ||
| Qualitative Data Analysis | ||
| Methods of Research in Psychology I | ||
| Methods of Research in Psychology II | ||
| Design and Data Analysis for Researchers I | ||
| Design and Data Analysis for Researchers II | ||
| Electives | 15-16 | |
Select a minimum of 15 credits not taken elsewhere in the program in consultation with the graduate committee (see Example Elective Courses list below) | ||
| Program Total Credits: | 35 | |
Example Electives Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ANEQ 565 | Interpreting Animal Science Research | 3 |
| ANEQ 567 | HACCP Meat Safety | 2 |
| ANEQ 660 | Topics in Meat Safety | 1 |
| BC 463 | Molecular Genetics | 3 |
| BC 513 | Enzymology | 1 |
| BC 517 | Metabolism | 2 |
| BC 565 | Molecular Regulation of Cell Function | 4 |
| BC 665A | Advanced Topics in Cell Regulation: Microscopic Methods | 2 |
| BC 665B | Advanced Topics in Cell Regulation: Modern Methods | 2 |
| BC 701 | Grant Proposal Writing and Reviewing | 1 |
| BMS 500 | Mammalian Physiology I | 4 |
| BMS 501 | Mammalian Physiology II | 4 |
| CBE 504/BIOM 504 | Fundamentals of Biochemical Engineering | 3 |
| CHEM 431 | Instrumental Analysis | 4 |
| CM 502/NB 502 | Techniques in Molecular & Cellular Biology | 2 |
| EDRM 600 | Introduction to Research Methods | 3 |
| EDRM 606 | Principles: Quantitative Data Analysis | 3 |
| EDRM 704 | Qualitative Research | 3 |
| EDRM 705 | Qualitative Data Analysis | 3 |
| ERHS 510/VS 510 | Cancer Biology | 3 |
| ERHS 611 | Cancer Genetics | 2 |
| FSHN 500 | Food Systems, Nutrition, and Food Security | 2 |
| FSHN 540 | Nutrigenomics and Advanced Lipid Metabolism | 3 |
| FSHN 550 | Advanced Nutritional Science I | 3 |
| FSHN 551 | Advanced Nutritional Science II | 3 |
| FSHN 561 | International Nutrition Studies | 2 |
| FSHN 600 | Responsible Conduct of Research | 1 |
| FSHN 640 | Selected Topics in Nutritional Epidemiology | 2 |
| FSHN 650A | Recent Developments in Human Nutrition: Protein, Vitamins, and Minerals | 2 |
| FSHN 650B | Recent Developments in Human Nutrition: Carbohydrates, Lipids, and Energy | 2 |
| FSHN 650C | Recent Developments in Human Nutrition: Genomic, Proteomics, and Metabolomics | 2 |
| FSHN 695A | Independent Study: Food Science | 1-3 |
| FSHN 696A | Group Study: Food Science | 1-3 |
| HORT 401 | Medicinal and Value-Added Uses of Plants | 3 |
| JTC 662 | Communicating Science and Technology | 3 |
| MIP 334 | Food Microbiology | 3 |
| MIP 335 | Food Microbiology Laboratory | 2 |
| MIP 443 | Microbial Physiology | 4 |
| MIP 450 | Microbial Genetics | 3 |
| MIP 533/VS 533 | Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases/Zoonoses | 3 |
| MIP 555 | Principles and Mechanisms of Disease | 3 |
| MIP 624 | Advanced Topics in Microbial Ecology | 2 |
| MIP 651 | Immunobiology | 3 |
| PSY 652 | Methods of Research in Psychology I | 4 |
| PSY 653 | Methods of Research in Psychology II | 4 |
| SOCR 755 | Advanced Soil Microbiology | 3 |
| STAR 511 | Design and Data Analysis for Researchers I | 4 |
| STAR 512 | Design and Data Analysis for Researchers II | 4 |
| VS 562 | Applied Data Analysis | 3 |
A minimum of 35 credits are required to complete this program.
For more information, please visit Requirements for All Graduate Degrees in the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
Summary of Procedures for the Master's and Doctoral Degrees
NOTE: Each semester the Graduate School publishes a schedule of deadlines. Deadlines are available on the Graduate School website. Students should consult this schedule whenever they approach important steps in their careers.
Forms are available online.
| Step | Due Date |
|---|---|
| 1. Application for admission (online) | Six months before first registration |
| 2. Diagnostic examination when required | Before first registration |
| 3. Appointment of advisor | Before first registration |
| 4. Selection of graduate committee | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration |
| 5. Filing of program of study (GS Form 6) | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration |
| 6. Preliminary examination (Ph.D. and PD) | Two terms prior to final examination |
| 7. Report of preliminary examination (GS Form 16) - (Ph.D. and PD) | Within two working days after results are known |
| 8. Changes in committee (GS Form 9A) | When change is made |
| 9. Application for Graduation (GS Form 25) | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website |
| 9a. Reapplication for Graduation (online) | Failure to graduate requires Reapplication for Graduation (online) for the next time term for which you are applying |
| 10. Submit thesis or dissertation to committee | At least two weeks prior to the examination or at the discretion of the graduate committee |
| 11. Final examination | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website |
| 12. Report of final examination (GS Form 24) | Within two working days after results are known; refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| 13. Submit a signed Thesis/Dissertation Submission Form (GS Form 30) to the Graduate School and Submit the Survey of Earned Doctorates (Ph.D. only) prior to submitting the electronic thesis/dissertation | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website. |
| 14. Submit the thesis/dissertation electronically | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| 15. Graduation | Ceremony information is available from the Graduate School website |