Food Science and Human Nutrition
Correspondence and Admission Information: Terri Cummings
264 Bevier Hall
905 South Goodwin Avenue
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 244-4405
E-mail: FSHN-General@ad.uiuc.edu
Major: Food Science and Human Nutrition
Degrees Offered: M.S., Ph.D.
Medical Scholars Program: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Food Science and Human Nutrition and Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) through the Medical Scholars Program
Graduate Degree Programs
The Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. In addition to receiving training in the general field of food science or human nutrition, students have the opportunity to conduct research in the following areas of specialization: food processing and food engineering, food packaging, food chemistry, food biochemistry, food microbiology, food safety, biotechnology, human nutrition through the life cycle, nutritional aspects of exercise, nutrient metabolism, nutrition and disease interactions, nutrient composition of foods, sensory and instrumental evaluation of food quality, community nutrition, and clinical nutrition.
Admission
In addition to meeting the Graduate College admission requirements, a student planning to pursue a graduate degree in the department should have a baccalaureate degree in a recognized field of biological, physical, agricultural, or engineering science. Background deficiencies may be removed with graduate credit courses designed for this purpose. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required of all applicants, and the minimum recommended Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score is 580 on the paper-based test (237 on the computer-based test). score is 550 (paper-based exam), 213 (computer-based exam), 79 (internet-based test) or 6.5 and 6 in all sub-sections (IELTS) is required. Students can be admitted to start in fall, spring, or summer semesters.
Degree Requirements
*For additional details and requirements refer to the department's graduate handbook and the Graduate College Handbook.
Master of Science
| Required Courses: | Thesis Option - Required Hours | Non-thesis Option - Required Hours |
|---|---|---|
| See handbook | 22 min | 24 min |
| Advanced Special Problems FSHN 598 (min/max applied toward degree): | 2 max | 8 max |
| Thesis Hours Required (min/max applied toward degree): | 8 | |
| Total Hours | 32 | 32 |
Minimum 500-level Hours Required Overall |
12 | 12 |
| Other Requirements:* | A non-thesis degree is considered a terminal degree, and requires a committee as well as an adviser. |
Doctor of Philosophy
| Required Courses: | Required Hours-Entering with approved M.S./M.A. degree | Required Hours - Entering with approved B.S./B.A. degree* |
|---|---|---|
| See handbook | 2 max | 2 max |
| Advanced Special Problems FSHN 598 (min/max applied toward degree): | 2 max | 2 max |
| Thesis Hours Required (min/max applied toward degree): | 40 max | 48 max |
| Total Hours | 64 | 96 |
| Other Requirements:* | ||
| Qualifying Exam Required | Yes | Yes |
| Preliminary Exam Required | Yes | Yes |
| Final Exam/Dissertation Defense Required | Yes | Yes |
| Dissertation Deposit Required | Yes | Yes |
If a candidate has a master's degree in a related area, a minimum of 64 graduate hours, including up to 40 graduate hours of thesis research, must be completed. In consultation with the adviser, the remainder of the 64 graduate hours required for the degree consists of graduate courses selected from inside or outside the department that are appropriate for training in the student's field of specialization. Upon completion of all necessary formal courses and special options, the student is required to take an oral preliminary examination. After passage of the preliminary examination, the student's activities are primarily devoted to thesis research. Upon submission of the thesis, the candidate is required to pass a final oral examination before a graduate faculty committee. The Ph.D. degree may be combined with an M.D. in the Medical Scholars Program (see below).
Internship in Dietetics
The Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition offers a dietetic internship for master's and doctoral students specializing in human nutrition. Completion of the degree and the internship qualifies the student to take the American Dietetic Association's registration examination.
Off-Campus Program
A Master of Science in Food Science degree program is offered in Oak Brook, Illinois. Courses are held in the evening or on Saturdays. Most students in this program choose the non-thesis option. For requirements, see table above.
Medical Scholars Program
The Medical Scholars Program permits highly qualified students to integrate the study of medicine with study for a graduate degree in a second discipline, including Food Science and Human Nutrition. Students may apply to the Medical Scholars Program prior to beginning graduate school or while in the graduate program. Applicants to the Medical Scholars Program must meet the admissions standards for and be accepted into both the doctoral graduate program and the College of Medicine. Students in the dual degree program must meet the specific requirements for both the medical and graduate degrees. On average, students take eight years to complete both degrees. Further information on this program is available by contacting the Medical Scholars Program, 125 Medical Sciences Building, (217) 333-8146 or at www.med.uiuc.edu/msp.
Graduate Teaching Experience
Although teaching is not a general Graduate College requirement, teaching is considered an important part of the graduate experience in this program.
Financial Aid
Financial aid for graduate students is available in the form of fellowships, teaching and research assistantships, and tuition and partial fee waivers. Qualified candidates are considered for financial support upon application.