M.S. IN FOOD SCIENCE

Learning Outcomes​

• Apply fundamental principles of food science in research and required coursework

• Formulate, design, conduct, and interpret food science research

• Integrate theoretical food science principles and statistical design and analysis principles with practical applications to address real-world issues

• Assess the implications of sustainability in food science

• Effectively communicate discipline-specific information in written and oral forms to scientific and non-scientific audiences

• Exhibit leadership and ethical reasoning

Admission Criteria

• Applicants should hold a bachelor's degree in food science or related field such as physical or biological science, chemistry of engineering.

• Applicants who lack the required preparatory coursework in basic sciences must complete these courses (either before being admitted or once admitted).  Basic sciences courses include the following:

  • General Chemistry:

    • CHEM 127 General Chemistry for Agriculture and Life Science I

    • CHEM 128 General Chemistry for Agriculture and Life Science II

    • CHEM 129 General Chemistry for Agriculture and Life Science III

  • Organic Chemistry:

    • CHEM 312 Survey of Organic Chemistry

    • CHEM 212 Introduction to Organic Chemistry

    • CHEM 216 Organic Chemistry I

    • CHEM 217 Organic Chemistry II

  • Biochemistry:

    • CHEM 313 Survey of Biochemistry and Biotechnology

    • CHEM 371 Biochemical Principles (CHEM 217 is required)

  • Nutrition:

    • FSN 210 Nutrition​​

  • Students can check the Cal Poly course catalog website to determine similarity with courses they might have taken in previous institutions. They can also submit their request to the graduate coordinator of the MS Food Science program, who will be able to confirm the similarity of the course(s). Once admitted, if a student is lacking some of these courses, the student’s committee will determine what courses the student should take, for a maximum of 12 units, based on his/her background and the type of research he/she will be focusing on.

• The admission committee looks for evidence of intellectual potential by reviewing performance in university coursework, considering GRE/TOEFL scores, and carefully reading the candidate's statement of interest and letters of recommendation. The candidate's statement and recommendation letters should highlight the applicant's potential for performing independent, thoughtful research.

Candidates should also mention to what extent they are relying on financial support from mentoring faculty to cover their stipend and tuition.

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Application Process

All applicants must submit

• A statement of purpose including educational and career goals and research interests;

• 3 letters of reference;

• GRE scores (at least 50th percentile or higher)

• Curriculum Vitae including work and/or research experiences, volunteer activities, extracurricular activities, professional activities, awards and other recognitions

Website: admissions.calpoly.edu/applicants/graduate

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Courses

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To complete the MS in Food Science, students must list in their Formal Study Plan 45 units of committee-approved coursework (including degree-required and elective coursework).  At least 60% of the units on the Formal Study Plan must be at the 500 level.  A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for coursework in the Formal Study Plan.  All students must meet the University’s current Graduation Writing Requirement.  In addition, all students must pass an oral defense of the thesis and satisfactorily complete the written thesis.

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Culminating experience for master’s degree:

• The thesis is based on independent, supervised research and must be approved by the thesis committee.  The final copy of the thesis must meet the standards explained in the "Formatting Guidelines for Preparing Master’s Theses and Project Reports" available from the Cal Poly Graduate Education Office, online at:http://grad.calpoly.edu/thesis/templates.html A copy of the thesis must be received and reviewed by the Thesis Editor in the Graduate Education Office.  An oral defense of the rationale and objectives for the thesis project is recommended, no later than the end of the 2nd quarter of year 1, and an oral defense of the findings of the thesis project is required.  Upon completion of any required corrections, the student submits the electronic thesis/project report to the DigitalCommons@CalPoly, a digital archive for the University.  These steps must be completed before the degree is awarded.  The Master thesis submission process is summarized at http://grad.calpoly.edu/thesis/thesis.html

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Required courses for the MS Agriculture with Specialization in Food Science

• FSN 505: Orientation to graduate research (1 unit)

• FSN 599: Thesis (9 units)

• STAT 513: Applied Experimental Design and Regression Models (4 units)

• SS 501: Research Planning (4 units)

• FSN 564: Chemistry of Food Systems (4 units)

• FSN 575: Advanced Food Safety (4 units)

• FSN 581: Food Science Seminar – Sustainability (3 units)

Total: 29 units

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*Program is 45 units, the remaining 16 units will depend on research specifics.

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