Food Science Major, PhD

Requirements

Completion of a master’s degree in the field, or a closely related field, or an extraordinary record in undergraduate study is required for admission. Students admitted without an MS degree must demonstrate promise to complete a doctoral dissertation by the third semester before continuing further doctoral studies, which will be determined by the advisory committee based on progresses such as submitting manuscripts to refereed journals, presenting papers at scientific meetings, or independently developing and proving research hypotheses. A dissertation is required for the Doctor of Philosophy degree. Each student must develop a detailed written plan for the dissertation research and submit it to his/her committee at least one semester before the graduating semester.

• A minimum of 72 credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree, excluding credit for the master’s thesis, is required. Of this, 24 credit hours must be FDSC 600 - Doctoral Research and Dissertation .
• At least 24 credit hours of course work numbered above 500, exclusive of doctoral research and dissertation, are required. At least 6 of the 24 credit hours must be courses numbered above 600.
• A minimum of 6 credit hours of courses for graduate credit must be taken outside the Department of Food Science.
• All students must complete FDSC 601  (2 credit hours) and are expected to attend FDSC 601  during their PhD program. One credit hour of PLSC 525  or ANSC 525  must be taken before admission to candidacy.
• All students are required to have teaching experience in FDSC Department for at least one term.
• Each student must pass a comprehensive examination no later than two semesters before the graduating semester. Satisfactory scores of both written and oral components of the comprehensive exam, as determined by the graduate advisory committee, are required prior to admission to candidacy. A final oral examination is required that includes a defense of the dissertation and subject matter that the student’s advisory committee considers appropriate.