MS in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology - Emphasis in Nutritional Sciences
Application deadline for the PhD program is Dec 30th and the MS program is Feb 15th. We may have assistantships available.
Our graduate program is part of a campus-wide network of research programs that provides integrative research in the biomedical sciences. Nutritional Sciences offers both MS and PhD degrees.
The emphasis area of Nutritional Sciences is associated with both MS and PhD degrees in Exercise Physiology. In addition, MS or PhD degrees in animal sciences, biochemistry and food science are offered to students studying nutrition through the respective departments.
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. 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 Masters.
Graduate students also receive training in laboratory research, seminar preparation and delivery, scientific writing, problem solving and research grant writing.
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 Food for the 21st Century (F21C), 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 Human Environmental Sciences, the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, and the School of Medicine.
Graduate study in Nutrition at the University of Missouri is facilitated via the interdisciplinary Nutritional Science program, departmental degree programs, and the Food for the 21st Century (F21C) Nutritional Sciences Cluster.
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) | 5 hours |
| Introduction to Organic Chemistry w/Lab (CHEM 2030/2130) | 5 hours |
| Biochemistry (BIOCHM 4270, 4272) | 5 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 credits), possible courses include:
Statistical Methods for Research (STAT 7070, 3h) |
6 hours |
| Masters Seminar (NEP 7087 1h/semester) | 2 hours |
| Research Thesis (NEP 8090) | 4 hours |
| TOTAL CORE COURSE REQUIREMENT | 30 hours |
> 30 hours beyond the bachelor’s degree, including but not limited to courses from the following Emphasis Areas. Fifteen hours of the 30-hour minimum must be selected from courses numbered at 8000 or 9000 level; no more than 40 percent of the 30-hour credit requirement can be satisfied by a combination of special investigations, Research, Readings and / or Problems courses. 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 7001) | 3 hours |
| Sports Nutrition (NEP 7970) | 2 hours |
| Exercise Metabolism (NEP 8870) | 3 hours |
| Research in Dietetics (NEP 7950) | 2 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 |
| Addiction Treatment and Prevention (SOC WK 7330) | 3 hours |
Public Health Nutrition
| Course Title & Number | Hours |
|---|---|
| Community Nutrition (NEP 7590) | 3 hours |
| Nutrition Throughout the Lifespan (NEP 7360) | 3 hours |
| Epidemiology and Biostatistics (V PBIO 8455) | 2 hours |
| Endocrinology (AN SCI 8420) | 3 hours |
| Intro to 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 |
|---|---|
| Nutritional Biochemistry of Carbohydrates (NEP 8360) | 3 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 |
| Neural Control (VB SCI 8410) | 1 hour |
| Transmembrane Signaling (VB SCI 9426) | 3 hours |
A written thesis, based upon original research, that is student’s own work and that demonstrates a capacity for research and independent thought is required. In addition, the graduate student must present their thesis research in a seminar that is open to the general faculty and successfully defend their thesis to their committee.
Each graduate student must complete the Annual Review Requirement by updating information in the Graduate Student Progress System. At the end of each year the adviser will evaluate each master’s student. Each student must maintain a 3.0 GPA. In addition, each graduate student must maintain adequate research progress as judged by the adviser and/or graduate committee. Inadequate progress will result in a probationary period of 30 days to 1 semester.
The program for the master’s degree MUST be completed within a period of three (3) years beginning with the first semester of enrollment in which the student is accepted to a degree program. Time spent in the armed services will not count toward the three (3)-year limit (see Graduate School Active Duty Policy). For any extension of this time limitation, the student must petition their faculty advisor/mentor and the academic program’s director of graduate studies in writing prior to the end of the 5th semester of enrollment in the program. The director of graduate studies will notify the adviser in writing of the decision.
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:
Research
Nutrition is, by definition, an applied and multi-disciplinary science that integrates other disciplines such as biochemistry, physiology, biology, psychology, sociology, and economics. A primary research focus in the department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology is the role of diet in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases that are prevalent in the United States today: obesity, the metabolic syndrome, diabetes, immune disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and osteoporosis. Specific dietary components being studied for their role in human health include protein, calcium, vitamin D, copper, iron, omega-3 fatty acids, and nutraceuticals.
Another important research area is the determinants of eating behavior, including neuro-psychological, sociologic, and economic factors. Investigative approaches include epidemiology, clinical trials, human studies, experimental and transgenic animal models, and cultured cell models.