Academic Programs Catalog

College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Graduate Study

The department offers Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degree programs with majors in food science; and a Master of Science with a major in Nutrition and Dietetics.  Those programs are described below.  The department also offers Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degree programs with a major in human nutrition. Those programs are also described below.  In addition, the department offers programs for postdoctoral research.

Each graduate program in the Department of Food Science and Human and Nutrition is designed to prepare the student to become a specialist in food science or human nutrition. Programs of study and research are flexible and are designed to meet the needs and objectives of individual students. Emphasis is placed on a sound educational program to develop a high degree of professional competence in a specific program area. Attendance and participation at seminars and participation in the teaching programs are designed to broaden the student's background for future careers.

Students who are enrolled in Master of Science degree programs in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition may elect a Specialization in Environmental Toxicology. For additional information, refer to the Graduate Specialization in Environmental Toxicology statement.

Students who are enrolled in Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degree programs in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition may elect specializations in Infancy and Early Childhood. For additional information, refer to the statement on Interdepartmental Graduate Specializations in Infancy and Early Childhood in the College of Social Science section of this catalog.


Food Science - Master of Science

Admission

Admission to the Master of Science Degree in Food Science is based on the following:

  1. A detailed review of undergraduate, and where applicable, previous graduate performance.
  2. Letters of recommendation.
  3. Previous research experience.
  4. A letter of intent and research interests.

Applicants should have a minimum grade-point average of 3.0, grades of 3.0 or above in science and mathematics courses, and proficiency in written and spoken English. Applicants should have taken undergraduate course work in physics, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, mathematics through integral calculus, and microbiology. It also is desirable for students to have taken upper-level undergraduate course work in food processing, food chemistry, food microbiology, food engineering, and nutrition.

In cases where students entering the master’s program with one or more deficiencies in undergraduate course work, appropriate collateral courses will be recommended by the Graduate Affairs Committee, Director of Graduate Studies, their advisor, and guidance committee. Credits earned in collateral courses do not count toward the minimum credit requirements for a degree.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, students who are admitted to the master’s degree program in food science must meet the requirements specified below.

Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Food Science

The Master of Science Degree in Food Science is available under Plan A (with thesis) or Plan B (without thesis). A total of 30 credits is required for the degree under Plan A or Plan B.

Students must:

  1. Complete 16 credits at the 800-level or above. Two courses (6 credits) must be FSC courses excluding FSC 890, 892, 898, and 899. 
  2. Complete a minimum of 7 credits (Plan A) or 12 credits (Plan B) of focused course work in consultation with the major advisor and guidance committee.
  3. Complete 1 credit of FSC 892 Food Science Seminar, in which students will present one seminar. Students may re-enroll in FSC 892 for a maximum of 2 credits towards the master’s degree.
Additional Requirements for Plan A
  1. Complete 6 credits in FSC 899 Master’s Thesis Research. Students may not earn more than 10 credits in FSC 899.
  2. Complete a thesis proposal approved by the guidance committee prior to initiation of research not related to the seminar given in FSC 892.
  3. Successfully complete a written thesis, public oral thesis defense, and oral examination with the guidance committee.

Additional Requirements for Plan B

  1. Complete 1 credit of FSC 898 Master’s Research. Students may not earn more than 5 credits in FSC 898.
  2. Complete an oral examination with the guidance committee.


 


Food Science - Doctor of Philosophy

Admission

Admission to the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Food Science is based on the following:

  1. A detailed review of undergraduate, and where applicable, previous graduate performance.
  2. Letters of recommendation.
  3. Previous research experience.
  4. A letter of intent and research interests.
Applicants should have a minimum grade-point average of 3.0, grades of 3.0 or above in science and mathematics courses, and proficiency in written and spoken English. Applicants should have taken undergraduate course work in physics, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, mathematics through integral calculus, and microbiology. It also is desirable for students to have taken upper-level undergraduate course work in food processing, food chemistry, food microbiology, food engineering, and nutrition.

In cases where students entering the doctoral program with one or more deficiencies in undergraduate course work, appropriate collateral courses will be recommended by the Graduate Affairs Committee, Director of Graduate Studies, their advisor, and guidance committee. Credits earned in collateral courses do not count toward the minimum credit requirements for a degree.

Doctoral programs in food science are individualized programs of study formulated among the major advisor, the research guidance committee, and the candidate. The program will be designed to ensure that the student will have comprehensive knowledge of the general field of food science, detailed knowledge of a specialized are in the field, and supportive knowledge of cognitive subjects.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, students who are admitted to the doctoral degree program in food science must meet the requirements specified below.

Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Food Science

The Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Food Science typically requires 20 to 36 course credits in addition to 24 research credits of FSC 999 Doctoral Dissertation Research to provide the desired breadth and depth of academic training for the student. In consultation with their major advisor, members of the research guidance committee, and the Director of Graduate Studies, additional course work may be specified that will benefit the student’s research as well as courses necessary to complete the Ph.D. core requirements, especially for students who have earned a master’s degree in another field. A cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 must be maintained exclusive of collateral and research credits.

Students must:
  1. Complete 16 credits, with 12 credits at the 800-level or above, excluding seminar courses. Three courses (9 credits) must be FSC courses in a relevant area of research chosen in consultation with the major advisor and guidance committee. Upper-level undergraduate courses at the 400-level taken may be counted if approved in advance by the advisor, guidance committee, and Director of Graduate Studies.
  2. Complete 2 credits of FSC 892 Food Science Seminar in two separate enrollments, in which students will present a seminar. 
  3. Complete a 1 credit course offered by the department or university on writing a research proposal.
  4. Complete at least 1 credit of FSC 891 Selected Topics in Food Science with a Food Science and Human Nutrition faculty member related to graduate teaching orientation.
  5. Complete a written dissertation proposal defense (comprehensive examination) and public seminar not related to requirement 2. above, followed by an oral examination with the guidance committee.
  6. Completion of a final written dissertation and public oral defense, followed by an oral examination with the guidance committee.
  7. Complete 24 credits of FSC 999 Doctoral Dissertation Research. 


 

Human Nutrition - Master of Science

The Master of Science degree in Human Nutrition includes research, course work in advanced nutrition, statistics, seminars, and appropriate selections from one or more of the following areas: biochemistry, physiology, anthropology, immunology, epidemiology, psychology, or sociology. Students in this program must meet the requirements of the university and of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Admission
To be considered for admission to the Master of Science degree program in Human Nutrition an applicant must:
  1. have completed a bachelor’s degree with courses in nutrition, including upper-level macro-and micronutrients, community or lifespan nutrition, general and organic chemistry, biology, physiology, biochemistry, and statistics;
  2. be proficient in written and spoken English;
  3. have a prior grade-point average of 3.0 or higher;
  4. submit a personal letter of intent and letters of reference.
Collateral course work may be required to overcome deficiencies, but will not count towards the degree
requirements.
Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Human Nutrition
The program is available under either Plan A (with thesis) or Plan B (without thesis). The student must complete at 30 credits.
The student must complete:
1. All of the following courses (10 credits):
HNF 820 Advanced Biochemical Nutrition 3
HNF 821 Advanced Vitamins and Minerals 3
HNF 823 Research Methods in Human Nutrition 3
HNF 892 Nutrition Seminar 1
2. One of the following courses (3 credits):
HNF 840 Human Nutrition and Chronic Disease 3
HNF 891 Topics in Human Nutrition 3
3. One of the following courses (1 or 3 credits):
HNF 824 Nutrition Policies and Programs 1
Alternative public health or community nutrition course approved by guidance committee 3
4. A 3-credit graduate level statistics course chosen in consultation with advisor and guidance committee.
5. A minimum of 5 credits (Plan A) or 11 credits (Plan B) in course work in one or more focus areas selected in consultation with the student’s guidance committee.
Additional Requirements for Plan A
1. The following course (6 credits):
HNF 899 Master's Thesis Research 6
Students may not earn more than 10 credits in HNF 899.
2. Successfully complete a proposal defense and defend the oral and written thesis.
Additional Requirements for Plan B
1. The following course (1 to 5 credits):
HNF 898 Master's Project 1 to 5
Students may not earn more than 5 credits in HNF 898.
2. Successfully pass a qualifying examination and complete a final examination or evaluation.

Nutrition and Dietetics - Master of Science

The Master of Science Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics is a practice-based program designed for students who are concurrently completing the Dietetic Internship program at Michigan State University. The program includes a supervised practice component of the Dietetic Internship at arranged sites in Michigan and online course work in research methods, advanced clinical nutrition, statistics, and seminars. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). In addition to supervised practice planned to result in competencies enumerated by the accrediting council, the program provides students with opportunities to engage in evidence-based activities and further acquisition of professional skills. Upon completion of the program and conferral of the master’s degree, students may sit for the Registration Examination for Dietitian Nutritionists.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the University as described in the Graduate Education section of this catalog, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

The MSU Dietetic Internship participates in an online Dietetic Internship Centralized Application System (DICAS).  An admissions committee of MSU faculty and preceptors reviews applications and prepares a ranked list of approved applicants which is also reviewed by the FSHN Graduate Affairs Committee to ensure accepted applicants meet graduate school admissions criteria. An independent matching process is used to fill slots in internships nationwide based on the priority rankings of both applicants and internships.

To be considered for admission to the Master of Science degree in Nutrition and Dietetics, an applicant must:

  1. have a Verification Statement from an ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD);
  2. complete a dietetic internship application through the Dietetic Internship Central Application Service (DICAS), which includes a personal statement, resume, three letters of reference, and transcripts from all colleges and universities attended;
  3. have a prior DPD and overall grade point average of 3.0 or higher;
  4. complete the MSU application for graduate studies.
Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics

The program is available under Plan B (without thesis). The student must complete a total of 30 credits distributed as follows:
1. All of the following courses (18 credits):
HNF 823 Research Methods in Human Nutrition 3
HNF 832 Advanced Clinical Nutrition 3
HNF 892 Nutrition Seminar 2
HNF 894 Human Nutrition Practicum 6
HNF 898 Master's Project 1
NUR 804 Statistics for the Healthcare Professional 3
2. A minimum of 12 credits in one or more focus areas selected in consultation with the student’s faculty advisor.
3. Completion of a final project/case study and evaluation, including a formal presentation by the student on a topic approved by the internship director and faculty advisor through enrollment in HNF 898.


 

Human Nutrition - Doctor of Philosophy

The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Human Nutrition is designed to prepare graduates for advanced careers that require demonstrated research skills, comprehensive knowledge of the discipline, and skills essential to the dissemination of that knowledge. Through their research and course work in advanced nutrition and related areas, the student will plan, conduct, manage, and publish independent, original research via the dissertation and peer-reviewed manuscripts. Students in the program must meet the requirements of the university and of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Admission

To be considered for admission to the Doctor of Philosophy degree program in Human Nutrition an applicant must:

  1. have completed a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree with courses in nutrition, including upper-level macro-and micronutrients, community or lifespan nutrition, general and organic chemistry, biology, physiology, biochemistry, and statistics;
  2. be proficient in written and spoken English;
  3. have a prior grade-point average of 3.0 or higher;
  4. submit a personal letter of intent, research experience, and letters of reference.

Collateral course work may be required to overcome deficiencies, but will not count towards the degree requirements.

Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Human Nutrition

The student must:

               
1. Complete all of the following courses (11 credits):
  HNF 820 Advanced Biochemical Nutrition 3
  HNF 821 Advanced Vitamins and Minerals 3
  HNF 823 Research Methods in Human Nutrition 3
  HNF 892 Nutrition Seminar 2
2. One of the following courses (3 credits):
HNF 840 Human Nutrition and Chronic Diseases 3
HNF 891 Topics in Human Nutrition 3
3. One of the following courses (1 or 3 credits):
HNF 824 Nutrition Policies and Programs 1
Alternative public health or community nutrition course approved by guidance committee 3
4. A 3-credit graduate-level statistics course chosen in consultation with advisor and guidance committee.
5. Complete a mentored teaching experience through one the following courses (1 or 2 credits):
HNF 894 Human Nutrition Practicum 1
ISE 870 Teaching College Science 2
6. Complete additional course work approved selected in consultation with the student’s guidance committee based on the student’s prior academic background in relation to the selected area of study and research.
7. Complete 24 credits of course work in HNF 999 Doctoral Dissertation Research.
8. Successfully complete a proposal defense and defend the oral and written dissertation.