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2024-2025 Graduate Catalog
Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciences, PhD
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 Return to: College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences
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Program Description
The PhD program in Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciences is administered by the Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciences Department. However, as an umbrella program, faculty and students from several allied departments within the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences participate in this program, including Animal and Veterinary Sciences. The PhD candidate’s advisory committee has final approval on all coursework.
Summary of Degree Requirements
Minimum Degree Requirements:
- Total credit hours: 60
- MS or equivalent: 30 hours (24 course hours and 6 research hours)
- PhD: 30 hours (12 course hours and 18 research hours)
- Required exams and dissertation: Comprehensive Exam (oral and written) and Final Oral Dissertation Defense
Number of Credit Hours Needed:
A doctoral degree in Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciences consists of a minimum of 30 (MS equivalent) + 30 semester hours of graduate credit approved by the student’s Graduate Advisory Committee. Prerequisite courses must be completed before admission as a graduate student, whereas corequisite courses may be taken concurrently but must be completed before receipt of the doctoral degree.
Core Coursework
Cross competencies: Candidates for the PhD in Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciences are required to show evidence of basic knowledge/competency in each of the three disciplines. This evidence can be in the form of practical experience (e.g. via an internship or previous employment), undergraduate degree work at the 4000 level or above, and/or graduate coursework, whether included on the program of study or not. Final decisions on whether the candidate meets this requirement are the responsibility of the candidate’s graduate advisory committee. In order to assist with determining whether a given course could generally be expected to satisfy this requirement, the following non-exhaustive list of suggested courses is provided:
Required Courses
All doctoral students must register for seminar (FNPS 8510 ) for two semesters. A seminar taken during the MS degree does not count towards the two required for a PhD. All doctoral students must complete STAT 8010 or an advanced course. Students may review the complete listing of courses offered in Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciences.
Courses Outside Discipline
A student may choose non-program courses as part of their plan of study. These decisions are normally made with the Major Advisor and approved by the Graduate Advisory Committee and are designed to enhance understanding of the emphasis area. Credit received for graduate-level courses taught by other departments may also be counted toward the PhD degree, provided those courses involve subject matter that is relevant to the degree program.
Outcomes, Learning Objectives, and Graduation Requirements
The PhD in Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciences is not awarded solely on the basis of coursework completed, residence, completion of qualifying, comprehensive or final examinations, or other routine requirements. A doctoral degree in Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciences requires that graduate students demonstrate competencies in several areas including Food Chemistry, Food Engineering, Human Nutrition, Food Microbiology, Food Processing/Preservation and/or Packaging. While the student usually focuses their research efforts in one of these areas, the degree requires a general knowledge of these areas within their PhD program. The final basis for granting this degree is the student’s grasp of the subject matter, competence in planning and conducting research, and the ability to express themselves adequately and professionally both orally and in writing. Ultimately, only the student’s advisory committee can certify that they have earned this degree.
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Return to: College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences
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