MS in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology with Emphasis in Nutritional Sciences

About the Program

The Nutritional Sciences emphasis area 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. 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, the Life Sciences Center and MU Nutritional Center for Health (MUNCH). 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.

Degree Requirements

The program consists of a total of 30 hours of credit beyond the bachelor’s degree, of which 15 credits must be at the 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. The master of science degree is awarded in part for the completion of a thesis.  The thesis is 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.

The minimum department course requirements for the master of science degree are:

AN_SCI 9442Vitamins and Minerals4
BIOCHM 7270
BIOCHM 7272
Biochemistry
and Biochemistry
6
NEP 7340Human Nutrition II Lecture3
NEP 8087Masters Seminar in Nutritional Sciences and Exercise Physiology1
NEP 8090Masters Research in Nutritional Sciences and Exercise Physiology4
NEP 8310Nutritional Biochemistry of Lipids3
NEP 8340Nutrition in Human Health3
Statistics6
Total Credits30

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Thesis/Non-Thesis Requirements

Nutritional Emphasis emphasis of the MS in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology only offers a thesis option.

Students earning this degree must provide a written thesis, based upon original research, that is student's own work and that demonstrates a capacity for research and independent thought. 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.

Admissions

 Applicants to the Nutritional Sciences emphasis of MS in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology must have an average of B (3.0 GPA) or better in science courses (chemistry, biology, physics, biochemistry, mathematics, etc.) taken at an accredited institution. TOEFL scores are required from international applicants. Entering students are expected to have undergraduate training (lecture and laboratory courses) in general and organic chemistry and biology, a two-semester course in biochemistry and an upper-level human nutrition course.  

Complete instructions on the application process can be found on the programs website: https://nep.missouri.edu/degrees/graduate-application-instructions/

Minimum TOFEL Scores

Internet-based test (iBT) Paper-based test (PBT)
100 600

This program no longer requires GRE Scores.

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