Degrees Offered

The program offers the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy Degrees. Candidates with bachelor's degrees in food science, chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, or engineering are encouraged to apply. Both a thesis option and a non-thesis option are available to M.S. candidates.  Students entering the program with a 4 year bachelor’s degree typically will receive a Master’s degree before advancing to the Ph.D.

Master of Science Degree

The Program offers two possible Master of Science degrees:  a research master’s degree with a thesis based on independent research (Plan A) and a coursework master’s degree with a critical paper (Plan B); the Plan B master’s is considered a terminal degree that does not lead to a Ph.D.

Requirements for the Plan A master’s include 21 credits of formal courses including a public seminar, 9 credits of independent research, a thesis based on independent research, and an oral defense of the thesis.

Requirements for the Plan B master’s include 30 credits of formal courses including a public seminar, a critical paper, and an oral defense of the critical paper.

Doctor of Philosophy Degree

The Ph.D. degree requires the completion of 72 credits, with at least 33 course credits and remaining being research credits. Up to 24 graduate level course credits from the master's program may be transferred to the Ph.D. program, with approval of the graduate director. Additional requirements include two public seminars, pass a written and an oral Ph.D. qualifying examinations, and, most importantly, conduct independent and original research leading to a dissertation that is defended in an oral examination.

Non-degree Program

As a non-matriculated student, you may take up to 4 courses (maximum 13 credits) before you are required to re-apply to Graduate Admissions as a matriculated student.

Core Courses

Food Science Fundamentals I,  16:400:513

Food Science Fundamentals II, 16:400:514

Food Engineering & Processes, 16:400:507

Useful Links

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