Application deadline for the MS program is Feb. 15.
The Nutritional Sciences Emphasis provides training in the distinct core nutrition knowledge described by the Graduate Nutrition Education Committee of the American Society for Nutrition: general research skills; structure and biochemical and metabolic functions of nutrients and other dietary constituents; food, diets, and supplements; nutritional status assessment; nutrition and disease; nutrition interventions and policies; and, analytical skills. Graduate students also receive training in laboratory research, seminar preparation and delivery, scientific writing, problem solving and research grant writing.
The Nutritional Science Masters does not provide a route to become a Registered Dietitian, however the department does offer the only Coordinated Program in Dietetics within the state of Missouri, which does include a Master’s degree.
Graduate study in Nutritional Sciences at the University of Missouri offers the advantage of interdisciplinary nutrition research that is facilitated via the many research centers at MU, including the Botanical Center and the Life Sciences Center. The graduate program is administered by the Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology in association with the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources and the School of Medicine.
Teaching and research assistantships are available to MS degree candidates on a competitive basis.
Requirements
Entering graduate students are expected to have undergraduate training in chemistry and biology, including a two-semester course in biochemistry and an upper-level nutrition course. Some prerequisites can be met during the first year of graduate school.
| Course Title & Number | Hours |
|---|---|
| General Chemistry (CHEM 1310, 1320) | 8 hours |
| Organic Chemistry w/Lab (CHEM 2100, 2130) | 5 hours |
| Biochemistry (BIOCHM 4270, 4272) | 6 hours |
| Introduction to Biological Systems w/Lab (BIO SC 1500) | 5 hours |
| Human Nutrition I (NEP 2340) | 3 hours |
| Course Title & Number | Hours |
|---|---|
| Human Nutrition II (NEP 7340) | 3 hours |
| Biochemistry (BIOCHM 7270, 7272) | 6 hours |
| Nutritional Biochemistry of Lipids (NEP 8310) | 3 hours |
| Nutrition in Human Health (NEP 8340) | 3 hours |
| Vitamins and Minerals (AN SCI 9442) | 3 hours |
| Statistics | 6 hours |
| Masters Seminar (NEP 8087) | 2 hours |
| Research Thesis (NEP 8090) | 4 hours |
| TOTAL CORE COURSE REQUIREMENT | 30 hours |
Graduate students may elect to take the suggested courses from the following emphasis areas within nutritional sciences. The emphasis areas are not degree programs, nor are the course lists all inclusive; rather, they serve to guide course selection
Human/Clinical Nutrition
| Course Title & Number | Hours |
|---|---|
| Etiology of Obesity (NEP 8030) | 3 hours |
| Sports Nutrition (NEP 7970) | 2 hours |
| Exercise Metabolism (NEP 8870) | 3 hours |
| Nutritional Assessment (NEP 7360) | 3 hours |
| Nutrition Therapy I (NEP 7370) | 3 hours |
| Nutrition Therapy II (NUTR 7380) | 2 hours |
| Human Nutrition II Laboratory (NEP 7330) | 2 hours |
| Endocrinology (AN SCI 8420) | 3 hours |
| Immunology (V PIO 8451) | 3 hours |
Public Health Nutrition
| Course Title & Number | Hours |
|---|---|
| Community Nutrition (NEP 7590) | 3 hours |
| Epidemiology and Biostatistics (V PBIO 8455) | 2 hours |
| Endocrinology (AN SCI 8420) | 3 hours |
| Immunology (V PBIO 8451) | 3 hours |
| Human Nutrition II Laboratory (NEP 7330) | 2 hours |
| Addiction Treatment and Prevention (SOC WK 7330) | 3 hours |
| Sociology of Health Systems (SOCIOL 7400) | 3 hours |
| Principles of Epidemiology (F C MD 8420) | 3 hours |
| Epidemiology and Community Health (V PBIO 6678) | 2-6 hours |
Behavioral Science
| Course Title & Number | Hours |
|---|---|
| Neurobiology (BIO SC 7500) | 3 hours |
| Sensory Physiology and Behavior (BIO SC 7560) | 3 hours |
| Behavioral Biology (BIO SC 7640) | 3 hours |
| Developmental Neurobiology (BIO SC 8450) | 3 hours |
| Functional Neuroscience (PSYCH 8210) | 3 hours |
| Addiction Treatment and Prevention (SOC WK 7330) | 3 hours |
Food Science
| Course Title & Number | Hours |
|---|---|
| Food Chemistry and Analysis (FS 7310) | 4 hours |
| Food Chemistry and Analysis Lab (FS 7315) | 3 hours |
| Food Microbiology (FS 7370) | 3 hours |
| Sensory Analysis of Foods and Beverages (FS 7380) | 3 hours |
| Food Product Development (FS 7970) | 3 hours |
| Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals (FS 8440) | 3 hours |
| Technology of Dairy Products and Ingredients (FS 7331) | 3 hours |
Biochemistry/Cell Physiology
| Course Title & Number | Hours |
|---|---|
| Exercise Metabolism (NEP 8870) | 3 hours |
| Biochemistry Lab (BIOCHM 7274) | 2 hours |
| Molecular Biology Lab (BIO SC 7374) | 2 hours |
| Enzymology and Metabolic Regulation (BIO SC 8432) | 3 hours |
| Vet Cell Biology (VB SCI 7333) | 4 hours |
| Vet Physiology (VB SCI 8420) | 6 hours |
| Mammalian Cell Function (VB SCI 7310) | 3 hours |
| Transmembrane Signaling (VB SCI 9426) | 3 hours |
Program Faculty
Graduate faculty members who teach in this program hold appointments in the departments of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology, Animal Sciences, Biochemistry, Child Health, and Food Science.
This rich environment offers a wide range of interdisciplinary research opportunities for the degree candidate.
Faculty within the Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology include: