M.S. Life Sciences

The department offers a graduate program leading to a Master's degree that is built around courses in food science and technology, supported by courses in chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, mathematics, statistics, engineering, and biology.   Individual graduate programs  (2 years) are planned with the advisor to prepare students for opportunities in industry, academia, and government.

Areas of Thesis Research

• Food and flavor chemistry
• Food safety and microbiology
• Food processing and packaging
• Food engineering
• Aquaculture
• Education and extension
• Enology and brewing science
• Functional foods for health
• Sensory evaluation

Program Coursework

The departmental course/credit requirements for the M.S. degree in Life Sciences (Food Science & Technology) include completion of at least 30 graduate credits, composed of the following: 

• at least 6 (maximum of 10) credits of Research and Thesis (FST 5994) 
• at least 12 credits of 5000 level courses at least 2 (maximum of 3) credits in Graduate Seminar (FST 5004) 
• a maximum of 6 credits of 4000 level courses 
• a maximum of 5 credits of Special Study or Independent Study

The 5000 level courses must include at least 6 credits of FST department courses. Additionally, a 5000 level biochemistry course (typically BCHM 5124) and a 5000 level statistics course (typically STAT 5605, 5606, or 5615) along with our Graduate Professionalism in Food Science course (FST 5054)are required.  Graduate students will need to complete the following courses (or an equivalent) if they were part of their previous degree program:

• Food Chemistry (FST 4504)
• Food Microbiology or Advances in Food Micro (FST 3604 or 5604)
• Food Processing (FST 4304) or Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FST 4524)