Nutritional Sciences, PhD
for the Doctor of Philosophy in Nutritional Sciences
The Division of Nutritional Sciences is the interdisciplinary program for graduate education in nutrition at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. More than 60 faculty, representing 15 different departments in seven colleges on the Urbana and Chicago campuses, are members of the Division. The Division is a comprehensive program of study leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees, alone or in combination with either the M.D. or M.P.H. degrees or the registration in dietetics (R.D.). Flexible graduate programs of study enable students to individualize their coursework and professional training. In addition, extensive research opportunities are available that address the spectrum from research at the level of the genome and proteome to clinical and population-based intervention studies. Specialties are classified into six broad theme areas in which our faculty and students are most active (see Research Interests). These themes best reflect the areas of nutrition research for which the Division is recognized both nationally and internationally.
Admission
Applicants are expected to have an admission grade point average of 3.0 (A = 4.0) for the last two years of coursework and basic courses in chemistry, biology and mathematics. Deficiencies in these subjects must be removed during the first year of graduate study. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required. Applicants whose native language is not English must achieve a minimum paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 550, 213 on the computer-based test or 79 on the iBT TOEFL. Admission in the fall, spring or summer will be considered.
Internship in Dietetics
Students in the Division of Nutritional Sciences can participate in an Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) accredited graduate dietetic internship program administered through the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition. The program includes defined graduate course requirements and a six-month dietetic clinical internship. In order to be eligible for the graduate internship program, students must complete all undergraduate course competencies required by the AND for the Registration in Dietetics (R.D.). Students are accepted into the internship by computer matching through the standard dietetic internship application process. More information on the graduate dietetic internship program can be obtained from the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition (260 Bevier Hall; (217)-244-4498) or online.
Graduate Teaching Experience
Although teaching is not a general Graduate College requirement, experience in teaching is considered an important part of the graduate experience in this program.
Faculty Research Interests
The Division is composed of faculty whose research interests cover many disciplines within nutrition. Descriptions of faculty research interests and a listing of recent publications are available at the Division website. Six broad theme areas are:
- Animal Nutrition
- Biochemical and Molecular Nutrition
- Community Nutrition, Nutrition Education and Consumer Acceptance
- Dietary Bioactive Components
- Food Safety and Toxicology
- Human and Clinical Nutrition
Facilities and Resources
The Division office is located in room 240 Edward R. Madigan Laboratory. Office and research laboratory facilities utilized by graduate students in Nutritional Sciences are administered by the home department of the student's adviser.
Financial Aid
Financial assistance is available in the form of assistantships, scholarships and fellowships. Applicants seeking fall admission and expecting to be considered for financial assistance should file their applications before the preceding December 15th. Later applications may be considered, depending on the space and support available.
for the Doctor of Philosophy in Nutritional Sciences
In addition to maintaining a 3.0 average in formal coursework, Ph.D. students are required to take a qualifying examination, an oral preliminary examination and a final thesis examination. There is no foreign language requirement, but students whose native language is not English are required to demonstrate competence in English.
For additional details and requirements refer to the department's Graduate Programs information and the Graduate College Handbook.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NUTR 500 | Nutritional Sciences Seminar (enrollment each semester and one presentation during program) | 1 |
| Select one or both of the following, unless taken during M.S. degree (max 4): | 4 | |
| Seminar in Foods and Nutrition | ||
| Disciplinary Seminar | ||
| NUTR 510 | Topics in Nutrition Research | 1 |
| or NUTR 561 | Advanced Clinical Nutrition | |
| NUTR 511 | Regulation of Metabolism | 4 |
| Two additional courses in general nutrition | 6-8 | |
| Research/Project/Independent Study Hours (2 max applied toward degree) | 2 | |
| NUTR 599 | Thesis Research (min/max applied toward degree) | 40 or 48 |
| Total Hours | 64 | |
Other Requirements
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Other requirements may overlap | |
| Coursework total: with M.S. degree in Nutritional Science (16) or with MS in other field (24) | |
| Masters Degree Required for Admission to PhD? | No, but Masters level requirements must be met (32 additional hours min) |
| Qualifying Exam Required | Yes |
| Preliminary Exam Required | Yes |
| Final Exam/Dissertation Defense Required | Yes |
| Final Exam/Dissertation Defense Required | Yes |
| Minimum GPA: | 3.0 |
for the Doctor of Philosophy in Nutritional Sciences
- Doctoral students in the Division of Nutritional Sciences will integrate scientific reasoning and advanced knowledge of the principles of nutritional sciences to effectively explain key concepts of nutrition and metabolism and discuss a broad range of nutritional sciences issues.
- Doctoral students in the Division of Nutritional Sciences will develop expert level knowledge and training in a signature interdisciplinary research area that will equip them to identify and solve the complex issues facing the highly interdisciplinary field of nutritional sciences.
- Doctoral students in the Division of Nutritional Sciences will be able to analyze and interpret data from research and scientific literature and apply experimental results to improve health and well-being at the local, national and international levels.
- Doctoral students in the Division of Nutritional Sciences will develop an understanding of professional and scientific ethics and the impact of nutritional sciences research methods and outcomes in a societal and global context.
- Doctoral students in the Division of Nutritional Sciences will develop outstanding oral and written communication skills to facilitate effective dissemination of scientific knowledge or interdisciplinary research findings to technical and non-technical audiences.
- Doctoral students in the Division of Nutritional Sciences will combine interdisciplinary research with robust professional development and leadership training, distinguishing themselves from other students with a nutritional sciences degree and facilitating a highly successful transition to a career as a leader in academia, industry or policy.
for the Doctor of Philosophy in Nutritional Sciences
Nutritional Science
Director of the Division and Graduate Studies: Elvira de Mejia
Correspondance & Admissions Information: Ashley Negangard
Nutritional Science website
240 Edward R Madigan Laboratory, 1201 W. Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 333-4177
Nutritional Science email