Nutritional Sciences Major, PhD

Requirements

Study in Nutrition Science at the doctoral level leads to the Doctor of Philosophy degree and is completed in one of either two concentrations: cellular and molecular nutrition or community nutrition. Doctoral study in the cellular and molecular nutrition concentration prepares the student for research and/or teaching positions in institutions of higher education, government or industry. Doctoral study in the community nutrition concentration prepares the student for research, teaching, and/or advanced-level practice in institutions of higher education, government, or the public and private sectors.

 A minimum of 24 hours of graduate coursework (graded A-F), beyond the Master’s degree, is required. Exceptionally well-prepared students with demonstrated superior achievement may enter upon completion of the baccalaureate degree, in which case a minimum of 48 hours of graduate coursework (graded A-F) beyond the baccalaureate degree is required. In either case, an original nutrition research project with 24 hours of dissertation work is required. 

Coursework (Minimum)

• 16 hours in nutrition; these must include NUTR 511 , NUTR 512 , NUTR 543 , NUTR 545 , either NUTR 412  (taken for graduate credit) or NUTR 505 , and an additional 2 nutrition credits.
• Cellular and Molecular Nutrition concentration: LFSC 520 , BCMB 440 , and ANSC 550  (or appropriate substitutions, as identified by faculty advisor).
• Community Nutrition concentration: NUTR 506 , NUTR 522 , and PUBH 542 .
• 6 hours of statistics
• 6 hours in a cognate area
• 9 hours at the 600-level (exclusive of dissertation NUTR 600 ); at least 4 of these hours must be in nutrition
• Additional graduate credit hours to ensure a minimum of 48 credit hours graded (A-F) beyond the Baccalaureate degree, or a minimum of 24 credit hours graded (A-F) beyond the Master’s degree.

Students receiving a Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) and without previous college teaching experience are required to take the fall semester teaching seminar for GTAs.