University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
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NUTRITIONAL SCIENCES

Director of the Division and of Graduate Studies: Sharon M. Donovan

Correspondence and Admission Information: Linda Barenthin, Division of Nutritional Sciences, 449 Bevier Hall, 905 South Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801; (217) 333-4177; Fax: (217) 333-9638;
E-mail: lbarenth@uiuc.edu

URL: w3.aces.uiuc.edu/NutrSci/

Graduate Degree Programs

The Division of Nutritional Sciences offers an interdepartmental graduate program leading to the Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences and the Doctor of Philosophy in Nutritional Sciences. Approximately 45 faculty, representing 13 different departments in seven colleges on the Urbana and Chicago campuses of the University of Illinois, are members of the division. The degree requirements are designed to provide sufficient flexibility to enable students to pursue study in one of several areas of specialization within the broad field of the nutritional sciences. These specialties can be classified into five broad theme areas in which our faculty and students are most active (see below). These themes best reflect the areas of nutrition research for which the division is recognized both nationally and internationally.

Admission

Applicants are expected to have an admission grade point average of 3.0 (A = 4.0) for the last 60 hours of coursework and basic courses in nutrition, chemistry, biology, and mathematics. Deficiencies in these subjects must be removed during the first year of graduate study. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required. Applicants whose native language is not English must achieve a minimum paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 560 (220 on the computer-based test). Admission in the fall, spring, or summer will be considered.

Graduate Teaching Experience

Although teaching is not a general Graduate College requirement, experience in teaching is considered an important part of the graduate experience in this program.

Master of Science

Requirements for the M.S. degree include courses in general biochemistry, NUTRS 410 and 411, one additional course in general nutrition, and one semester of seminar. Additional courses are available in such diverse subjects as human and animal nutrition, biochemistry, physiology, immunology, endocrinology, food science, education, anthropology, psychology, sociology, statistics, and agricultural economics. The M.S. degree may be taken with or without a thesis. The minimum M.S. coursework requirement is six units (plus at least two units of thesis credit) for the thesis degree and nine units for the nonthesis degree.

doctor of Philosophy

In addition to maintaining a 3.0 average in formal coursework, Ph.D. students are required to take an oral preliminary examination and a final thesis examination. There is no foreign language requirement, but students whose native language is not English are required to demonstrate competence in English. A minimum of 24 units of credit work beyond the baccalaureate degree or 16 units beyond the master's degree is required.

Intercampus Doctor of Philosophy Degree

The division and the Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Illinois at Chicago offer an intercampus Ph.D. degree. Students spend time on both campuses doing research and taking courses, but, the degree is conferred by the Urbana campus. Requirements of this program are described in the handbook on the division's Web site (www.aces.edu/NutrSci/).

Graduate Dietetic Clinical Internship

The Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition administers an American Dietetic Association (ADA) accredited graduate dietetic internship program, which includes defined graduate course requirements and a six-month dietetic clinical internship. In order to be eligible for the graduate internship program, students must complete all undergraduate course competencies required by the ADA for Registration in Dietetics (R.D.). Students are accepted into the intern

PHYSICS
ship by computer matching through the standard dietetic internship application process. More information on the graduate dietetic internship program can be obtained from the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition (386 Bevier Hall; 217-333-1326).

Medical Scholars Program

The Urbana campus of the University of Illinois College of Medicine administers the Medical Scholars Program, in which students can pursue M.D. and Ph.D. degrees concurrently. Students may apply to the Medical Scholars Program prior to beginning graduate school or while in the graduate program. To be accepted into the Medical Scholars Program, students must complete all coursework and examination (e.g., MCAT) requirements necessary for acceptance by the College of Medicine. Further information on this program is available by contacting the Assistant Director of the Medical Scholars Program, 190 Medical Sciences Building, Urbana, IL 61801, (217) 333-8146.

Research Interests

The division is composed of faculty whose research interests cover many disciplines within nutrition. Descriptions of faculty research interests and a listing of recent publications are available at the division Web site. Five broad theme areas are (1) nutritional requirements for optimal growth and well-being of humans and animals; (2) impact of nutrients and non-nutritive components in foods on health and risk of chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes; (3) relation of nutrients to gene expression; (4) nutrient composition of foods and feeds and the impact of agricultural practices, handling, and processing on food safety and quality; and (5) factors determining food preferences and habits and techniques for guiding consumers in selection of nutritionally adequate diets.

Facilities

The division office is located in room 449 Bevier Hall. Office and research laboratory facilities utilized by graduate students in nutritional sciences are administered by the home department of the student's adviser.

financial aid

Financial assistance is available in the form of assistantships and fellowships. Applicants seeking fall admission and expecting to be considered for financial assistance should file their applications before the preceding February 15th. Later applications will be considered, depending on the space and support available.