Specializations:

Nutritional status and food behavior of high risk population groups: dietary behavior change to reduce chronic disease risk; nutrition issues related to aging and weight management; diet and exercise; energy and macronutrient metabolism; metabolic regulation and energy balance.

Degrees:

Master of Science

Admission requirements
GRE and bachelor’s degree. All applicants must have completed a minimum of two semesters of chemistry, and one each of biochemistry, anatomy or biology, human physiology, nutrition, and statistics. Students from other academic areas are encouraged to apply but must have physiology, biochemistry, nutrition, and statistics prior to admission.

Options
There is a thesis and a non-thesis option. The thesis option is designed for students who plan to pursue research-based careers in nutrition and/or advanced training in nutrition. The non-thesis option is designed for practitioners who do not intend to pursue a career in research and provides career training that will be valuable for professional development.

Program requirements - Thesis option (30 Credits)
thesis (6 credits); two credits of NFS 511; a minimum of three credits in biochemistry, chemistry, microbiology, or physiology; NFS 505, 551, and 552; three credits in statistics. All resident students are required to be continuously registered in NFS 511 or 512, but no more than two credits of NFS 511 can be used for program credit. Applicants without undergraduate training in nutrition may be required to make up background courses without graduate credit.

Program requirements - Non-thesis option (35 Credits)
experiential learning (NFS 580 - 6 credits); independent study leading to the production and evaluation of a product (NFS 591/592 - 6 credits); NFS 505, 506, 551, and 552; two credits of NFS 511/512; a 400 or 500 level science course; three credits in graduate level statistics; 3 credits of electives. Successful completion of a written examination. Applicants without undergraduate training in nutrition may be required to make up background courses without graduate credit.

Download the Master's Degree Program of Study document
(MS Word, 6k).

Doctor of Philosophy (Biological Sciences)

Admission requirements
Admission to the PhD program requires the GRE and a master’s degree in nutrition. Students from other academic areas are encouraged to apply, but must meet entrance requirements for the MS program.

Program requirements
A minimum of 72 credits of advanced coursework beyond the bachelor’s degree is required (a master’s degree may count for up to 30 credits). In addition to the dissertation, all students must complete two 500 or 600-level course in statistics/experimental design, a total of three credits in NFS 511; and a research problem (NFS 691/692) under the supervision of an advisor other than the major professor. Students who have not taken the courses required for the MS must do so as part of the PhD program.

The food science graduate program is an interdepartmental program. Admission is based on academic merit, capability to do research and the match of research interests between the applicant and faculty in the areas of specialization listed. Contact Dr. C.M. Lee at 401-874-2862 for further information.

Specializations:

Marine food product and process development, physical properties and rheology, fish mince and surimi technology, bioconversion technology, seafood flavor, food safety and quality assessment.

Degrees:

Master of Science

Admission requirements
The masters program in food science requires the GRE and a bachelor's degree in food science or closely related field. Candidates lacking undergraduate courses in biological science, general chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, physics, statistics and calculus may be required to make up deficiencies without graduate credit.

Program requirements
A total of 30 credits is required for graduation, 6 credits for thesis research and 24 credits of course work. All students must complete two credits of NFS 511; a minimum of three credits in biochemistry, chemistry or microbiology; NFS 432 and 502. Additional coursework will be selected as appropriate for the student's area of specialization in consultation with, and approval of, the major professor.

Doctor of Philosophy (Biological Sciences)

Admission requirements
Admission to the PhD program requires the GRE and a masters degree in food science or related physical or biological science. Either the undergraduate or MS degree must be in food science.

Program requirements
A minimum of 72 credits of advanced coursework beyond the bachelor's degree is required (a master's degree may count for up to 30 credits). In addition to the dissertation, all students must complete BCH 581, STA 532 or equivalent, BCH 521, 542 or CHE 574, three credits of 511, and a research problem (NFS 691, 692) under the supervision of an advisor other than the major professor. Students who have not taken courses required for the MS must do so as part of the PhD program.

Application Process

Applications may be downloaded from the URI Graduate School or obtained from the department. When requesting applications from the department, please provide a mailing address.

Application deadlines are April 15 for summer, July 15 for September admission, and November 15 for January admission.

Prior to applying, students are encouraged to contact faculty in the department with whom they wish to work to determine whether the faculty member is accepting new students, their current research and if they have financial support for new students.