The Ph.D. in Food Science and Nutrition, Food Science Specialization includes advanced studies oriented toward food science, food chemistry, food microbiology, food preservation and safety, and health properties of foods and food components.

Students entering this Ph.D. program will be directed by a research faculty who serves as their primary advisor, and should bring in 30 credits from a Master’s program in a related field. The curriculum represents a total of 42 credits beyond the Master’s level. If a prospective student has fewer than 30 credits toward the program, an individualized curriculum plan will be developed by working with a primary advisor to cover possible deficiencies.

Learn more about the Ph.D. in Food Science and Nutrition, Food Science Specialization on the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition website.

Effective Fall 2021

Required Courses
FTEC 570Food Product Development2
FTEC 572Food Biotechnology2
FTEC 574Current Issues in Food Safety2
FTEC 576Cereal Science2
FTEC 578/HORT 578Phytochemicals and Probiotics for Health3
FSHN 600Responsible Conduct of Research1
or GRAD 544 Ethical Conduct of Research
FSHN 692Seminar2
Dissertation (minimum of 10 credits)
FTEC 799Dissertation10
Required Statistics/Research Methods – Select two courses from the following:6-8
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
Electives10-12
Select a minimum of 10 credits not taken elsewhere in the program in consultation with the graduate committee (see example Elective Courses list below)
Master's Degree Credit (a maximum of 30 credits may be accepted from a master's degree)30

 Example Elective Courses

ANEQ 565Interpreting Animal Science Research3
ANEQ 567HACCP Meat Safety2
ANEQ 660Topics in Meat Safety1
BC 463Molecular Genetics3
BC 513Enzymology1
BC 517Metabolism2
BC 565Molecular Regulation of Cell Function4
BC 665AAdvanced Topics in Cell Regulation: Microscopic Methods2
BC 665BAdvanced Topics in Cell Regulation: Modern Methods2
BC 701Grant Proposal Writing and Reviewing1
BMS 500Mammalian Physiology I4
BMS 501Mammalian Physiology II4
CBE 504/BIOM 504Fundamentals of Biochemical Engineering3
CHEM 431Instrumental Analysis4
CM 502/NB 502Techniques in Molecular & Cellular Biology2
EDRM 600Introduction to Research Methods3
EDRM 606Principles: Quantitative Data Analysis3
EDRM 704Qualitative Research3
EDRM 705Qualitative Data Analysis3
ERHS 510/VS 510Cancer Biology3
ERHS 611Cancer Genetics2
FSHN 500Food Systems, Nutrition, and Food Security2
FSHN 540Nutrigenomics and Advanced Lipid Metabolism3
FSHN 550Advanced Nutritional Science I3
FSHN 551Advanced Nutritional Science II3
FSHN 561International Nutrition Studies2
FSHN 640Selected Topics in Nutritional Epidemiology2
FSHN 650ARecent Developments in Human Nutrition: Protein, Vitamins, and Minerals2
FSHN 650BRecent Developments in Human Nutrition: Carbohydrates, Lipids, and Energy2
FSHN 650CRecent Developments in Human Nutrition: Genomic, Proteomics, and Metabolomics2
FSHN 695AIndependent Study: Food Science1-3
FSHN 696AGroup Study: Food Science1-3
FSHN 792Seminar-Research Topics in Nutrition1
HORT 401Medicinal and Value-Added Uses of Plants3
JTC 662Communicating Science and Technology3
MIP 443Microbial Physiology4
MIP 450Microbial Genetics3
MIP 533/VS 533Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases/Zoonoses3
MIP 555Principles and Mechanisms of Disease3
MIP 624Advanced Topics in Microbial Ecology2
MIP 651Immunobiology3
PSY 652Methods of Research in Psychology I4
PSY 653Methods of Research in Psychology II4
SOCR 755Advanced Soil Microbiology3
STAR 511Design and Data Analysis for Researchers I4
STAR 512Design and Data Analysis for Researchers II4
VS 562Applied Data Analysis3

Most students entering this Ph.D. program will bring in 30 credits from a Master's program in a related field. The above curriculum represents a total of 42 credits beyond the Master's level. If a prospective student has less than 30 credits toward the program, an individualized curriculum plan will be developed by working with a primary advisor to cover possible deficiencies.

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