Food Science & Human Nutrition, PhD

Doctor of Philosophy in Food Science and Human Nutrition

The PhD Program in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition is a traditional on campus doctoral program. Students are required to have a research advisor and applicants are encouraged to contact department faculty in their areas of interest to inquire about possible research and funding opportunities.

Students are required to select a concentration:

Research Areas

In addition to receiving training in the general field of food science or human nutrition, students have the opportunity to conduct research in the following areas of specialization:

Food processing, engineering, and biotechnology
Food ingredients, properties, and interactions
Food microstructures, micro-carriers, and nanotechnology
Food chemistry
Food microbiology and biomass conversion
Food safety and security
Sensory sciences
Dietary quality and food and nutrition patterns for optimal health
Nutrition and disease interactions, including cancer, metabolic disorders, and gastrointestinal health
Nutrition across the life span
Biochemical and molecular nutrition
Clinical nutrition
Community nutrition

More information about our Graduate Degree Programs

Admission

In addition to meeting the Graduate College admission requirements, a student planning to pursue a graduate degree in the department should have a baccalaureate degree in a recognized field of biological, physical, agricultural, or engineering science. Background deficiencies may be removed with graduate credit courses designed for this purpose.

Review all Food Science and Human Nutrition Admission requirements.

International Applicants

Please visit the Illinois Graduate College resources for further admission requirements.

Admission requirements by country

Applicants whose native language is not English

Internship in Dietetics

The Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition offers a dietetic internship for master's and doctoral students specializing in human nutrition. Completion of the degree and the internship qualifies the student to take the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics registration examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. For information on our dietetic internship program, please contact Ms. Jessica Madson (jamadson@illinois.edu).

Graduate Teaching Experience

Teaching is neither a Graduate College nor a FSHN requirement. A limited number of teaching assistantships are available to FSHN graduate students. Students are selected to be Graduate Teaching Assistants by the Department Head in consultation with the course instructor.

Financial Aid

Financial aid for graduate students is available in the form of fellowships (Fall admission only), teaching and research assistantships, and tuition and partial fee waivers. Qualified candidates are considered for financial support upon application.

Doctor of Philosophy in Food Science and Human Nutrition

For the Doctor of Philosophy in Food Science and Human Nutrition, students are required to select a concentration:

Doctor of Philosophy in Food Science and Human Nutrition

A FSHN graduate student:

Demonstrates knowledge in at least three areas of expertise (based upon required coursework; see FSHN graduate handbook for areas).
Displays effective and relevant written and oral communication skills.
Conducts methodical and logical research that addresses key issues in food science and/or human nutrition.
Displays professional ethics in scholarly achievements.