Food Science & Human Nutrition: Food Science, MS

Research Areas
In addition to receiving training in the general field of food science or human nutrition, you have the opportunity to study a wide-variety of research areas related to food science, including these general focal areas of strength:

• food chemistry
• sensory science
• food microbiology
• chemical/microbial food safety
• food processing and engineering

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.

All applicants whose native language is not English must submit a minimum TOEFL score of 79 (iBT); or minimum International English Language Testing System (IELTS) academic exam scores of 6.5 overall. Applicants may be exempt from the TOEFL if certain criteria are met. For those taking the TOEFL or IELTS, full admission status is granted for scores greater than 102 (TOEFL iBT), or 7.0 (IELTS). Limited status is granted for lesser scores and requires enrollment in English as a Second Language (ESL) courses based on an ESL Placement Test (EPT) taken upon arrival to campus.

The Clinical Community and Nutrition, Food Science, and Human Nutrition MS are STEM-designated program.

Online Program
A non-thesis Master of Science in Food Science program is offered via live, synchronous online sessions using distance education technology. The program ensures the same degree of excellence, and courses are instructed by the same faculty, as the on-campus non-thesis program. Courses are typically offered in the evening. For requirements and additional information, please contact Dr. Dawn Bohn.

Graduate Teaching Experience
Teaching is neither a Graduate College nor a FSHN requirement. A limited number of teaching assistantships are available to FSHN graduate students. Students are selected to be Graduate Teaching Assistants by the Department Head in consultation with the course instructor.

Financial Aid
Financial aid for thesis track 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. Additional information on financial aid for graduate students.

for the Master of Science in Food Science and Human Nutrition, Food Science Concentration

Undergraduate training must include statistics (ACE 261, CPSC 241, ECON 202, MATH 161, PSYC 235, SOC 280, or STAT 100), nutrition (equivalent to FSHN 220), and systemic physiology (equivalent to MCB 246). These undergraduate courses are not required for admission, but must be completed early in the graduate program and do not count toward concentration requirements.

Additional courses may be required beyond the concentration minimum, per Advisory Committee recommendations, depending upon student/advisor learning objectives. If you have already taken a required course at the University of Illinois, it is highly recommended that you do not retake it. If you have taken a very similar course at another university, you are strongly encouraged to petition for acceptance of that course in lieu of the required course. Courses should be selected to expand and strengthen your knowledge in core and related disciplines, and/or to increase your research capabilities. For additional advice on this topic, contact your advisor and faculty advisory committee.

Course selection is flexible beyond this list if decided in consultation with advisor/advisory committee.

For additional details and requirements refer to the department's graduate handbook and the Graduate College Handbook.

This degree program can be completed with or without a thesis.

Other Requirements

Food Science Concentration Requirements