Twin Cities campus

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Twin Cities Campus

Food Science M.S.

Food Science & Nutrition
College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences
Link to a list of faculty for this program.
Contact Information
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, 225 Food Science and Nutrition Building, 1334 Eckles Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55108 (612-624-6753; fax: 612-625-5272)
  • Program Type: Master's
  • Requirements for this program are current for Fall 2013
  • Length of program in credits: 30
  • This program does not require summer semesters for timely completion.
  • Degree: Master of Science
Along with the program-specific requirements listed below, please read the General Information section of this website for requirements that apply to all major fields.
Food science applies scientific principles to the manufacture, distribution, marketing, and consumer aspects of food. Food scientists apply the basic principles and techniques of many disciplines, including chemistry, physics, microbiology, and nutrition, to food processing and preservation, new product development, and food marketing. Food scientists are concerned with the theoretical and practical aspects of the food chain, from the production of raw materials to the use of food products by consumers. Students may emphasize the chemistry, engineering, microbiology, nutrition, or technology of food products.
Program Delivery
  • via classroom (the majority of instruction is face-to-face)
Prerequisites for Admission
The preferred undergraduate GPA for admittance to the program is 3.00.
Applicants to the program need a bachelor's degree, or its international equivalent, in any field.
Other requirements to be completed before admission:
The minimum requirements are general chemistry with laboratory, organic chemistry with laboratory, physics with laboratory, biology with laboratory, and calculus. If preparation appears inadequate, certain additional courses may be required after admission.
International applicants must submit score(s) from one of the following tests:
  • TOEFL
    • Internet Based - Total Score: 79
    • Internet Based - Writing Score: 21
    • Internet Based - Reading Score: 19
    • Paper Based - Total Score: 550
  • IELTS
    • Total Score: 6.5
  • MELAB
    • Final score: 80
Key to test abbreviations (TOEFL, IELTS, MELAB).
For an online application or for more information about graduate education admissions, see the General Information section of this website.
Program Requirements
Plan A: Plan A requires 14 major credits, 6 credits outside the major, and 10 thesis credits. The final exam is oral.
Plan B: Plan B requires 14 major credits and 6 credits outside the major. The final exam is oral. A capstone project is required.
Capstone Project: The Plan B project is equivalent to 120 hours of work or three full weeks of research and writing. It should consist of one of the following options, which are intended to familiarize the candidate with the tools of research or scholarship in the field and serve to demonstrate the ability to work independently: 1) The candidate may prepare one paper equivalent to 120 hours of work in one advanced course, over and above the normal course requirement as approved by the instructor in consultation with the adviser. This course must be from the major field of interest. 2) The candidate may prepare one paper equivalent to the requirement of 120 hours in some related field or course as approved in consultation with the instructor and the adviser. 3) The student may do an equivalent amount of library or laboratory research and write a research report to satisfy the requirement as approved by the adviser. This may take the form of a research proposal.
This program may be completed with a minor.
Use of 4xxx courses toward program requirements is permitted under certain conditions with adviser approval.
A minimum GPA of 2.80 is required for students to remain in good standing.
At least 1 semesters must be completed before filing a Degree Program Form.
The M.S. offers both Plan A (with thesis) and Plan B (without thesis) options. Both options require at least 14 course credits in the major and 6 course credits in the minor or related field. Plan A also requires at least 10 thesis credits. Plan B also requires at least an additional 10 graduate credits in approved courses and a Plan B paper. The minor may be chosen from fields such as biochemistry, chemistry, chemical engineering, microbiology, nutrition, and statistics. All students also are expected to participate as teaching assistants during their graduate careers.
 
More program views..
View college catalog(s):
· College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences

View future requirement(s):
· Fall 2023
· Fall 2022
· Fall 2020
· Fall 2018
· Spring 2017
· Fall 2016
· Spring 2016
· Fall 2014

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