Food and Nutritional Sciences, M.S.

Mission. The Master of Science in Food and Nutritional Sciences at California State University, Fresno provides for development of advanced level knowledge, development of research abilities, and the mentoring of future leaders.

Outcomes. The program graduates will be able to (a) use knowledge and critical thinking skills to identify innovative solutions to problems, (b) communicate research findings through professional presentations and publications, (c) advance their careers, and (d) take an active role in their profession.

This program provides a graduate-level proficiency in food science or nutrition. The degree is applicable to specializations in food research, production, processing, chemistry, and microbiology; and dietetics, nutrition, nutrition education, and food service systems management.

Prerequisite Courses

The Master of Science in Food and Nutritional Sciences assumes preparation equivalent to a California State University, Fresno undergraduate major in food science, dairy science, nutrition, dietetics and food administration, or related areas.

Students with undergraduate degrees in other fields or from other institutions who need to make up course deficiencies should consult with the graduate coordinator. The following specific prerequisite foundation courses, or their equivalents, are required:

Food Science:

FSC 112 - Food and Dairy Chemistry Units: 4
FSC 115 - Food Analysis Units: 3
FSC 125 - Food and Dairy Microbiology Units: 4
FSC 141 - Fruit, Vegetable, and Edible Oil Processing Units: 4
FSC 144 - Food Engineering Units: 3
NUTR 54

Nutrition/Dietetics:

CULG 152 - Techniques for Healthy Cooking Units: 3 and
NUTR 54
NUTR 147 - Nutrition and the Athlete Units: 3
NUTR 149
NUTR 153 - Advanced Nutrition Units: 3
NUTR 160 - Nutrition across the Life Cycle 1 Units: 3 or completion of an ADA-accredited didactic program in dietetics as evidenced by a signed verification statement.

Program Requirements

All students must complete a 12-unit common core. Under the direction of the graduate adviser, students may focus a program in a specialized area to meet their career goals. This is accomplished by the selection of a minimum of 12 units of electives. A 6-unit thesis completes the program of study. A minimum of 21 units must be taken at the 200 level.

Core

FN 200 - Research Methods in Food and Nutrition Units: 3
200-level statistics course Units: 3 (See Graduate Advising Notes.)
FN 223 - Food, Nutrition, and Health Units: 3
FN 229 - Seminar Units: 1

Approved Electives

200- or 100-level courses appropriate to individually designed program; must be approved by adviser prior to enrollment Units: 12

Culminating Experience

FN 299 - Thesis Units: 2-6

Total Minimum: 30 Units

Advising Notes for M.S. in Food and Nutritional Sciences

Several of the 200-level and approved elective courses have prerequisites other than courses listed as admission requirements.
The statistics requirement may be met with any adviser approved 200-level statistics course offered by the university.
Students should request specific information concerning the master of science degree and the program advising sheet from the department office.
Upon admission, students should see the department graduate program coordinator for assistance in selection of a graduate adviser.
To progress through the graduate program, the student must:
1. Maintain a minimum of 3.0 GPA
2. Complete all prerequisite coursework
3. Attain classified standing
4. Meet the graduate writing proficiency requirement
5. File for advancement to candidacy
6. Complete the program requirements
7. File a master thesis committee assignment form
8. Formally present and defend the thesis results
The Graduate Writing Skills requirement for the graduate program in Food and Nutritional Sciences may be met by passing the writing component of AGRI 220 or FN 200 . Please see the program’s graduate adviser for more information.
Advancement to candidacy requires the completion of 9 program units in residence, a minimum GPA of 3.0, meeting the graduate writing proficiency requirement, and filing a petition for advancement to candidacy a minimum of one semester prior to enrollment in thesis and within the deadline.
Students may apply a maximum of 3 units each of FN 290 or FN 292 to their program.
See Division of Graduate Studies in this catalog for university requirements.