Master of Science in Food Safety and Technology
Curriculum
Candidates are required to take a total of 32 credit hours, 18 of which must be selected from the core food safety and technology courses listed below, six to eight credit hours must be in research and thesis work and six to eight credit hours from electives. Courses are offered at the Mies Campus or via internet with the exception of FDSN 506.
Students will choose from one of three Tracks when applying for the degree:
Track 1: Thesis - Students must take the required courses for all MS FST students, as well as the required courses for Track 1. Electives may be chosen from the electives list. In addition to coursework, the student will complete a thesis research project and successfully defend a written thesis to qualify for graduation.
Track 2: Food Safety - this is a non-thesis track. Students must take the required courses for all MS FST students, as well as the required courses for Track 2. Electives may be chosen from the electives list.
Track 3: Food Processing Technology- this is a non-thesis track. Students must take the required courses for all MS FST students, as well as the required courses for Track 3. Electives may be chosen from the electives list.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses for All Tracks | (9) | |
| FDSN 505 | Food Microbiology | 3 |
| FDSN 514 | Unit Operations in Food Processing | 3 |
| FDSN 524 | Fundamentals of Food Science | 3 |
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Additional Required Courses for Track 1: Thesis | (13-15) | |
| FDSN 591 | Research and Thesis | 6-8 |
| FDSN 593 | Seminars in Food Science and Nutrition | 1 |
| You must also take at least two of the following: | 6 | |
| Food Microbiology Laboratory | 3 | |
| Food Analysis | 3 | |
| Preservation Processing | 3 | |
| Advanced Thermal Processing Technologies | 3 | |
| Advanced Non-Thermal Processing Technologies | 3 | |
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Additional Required Courses for Track 2: Food Safety | (6) | |
| You must take at least two of the following: | 6 | |
| Food Microbiology Laboratory | 3 | |
| Food Analysis | 3 | |
| HACCP Planning and Implementation | 3 | |
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Additional Required Courses for Track 3: Food Processing Technology | (6) | |
| You must take at least two of the following: | 6 | |
| Preservation Processing | 3 | |
| Advanced Thermal Processing Technologies | 3 | |
| Advanced Non-Thermal Processing Technologies | 3 | |
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Electives | (6-15) | |
| Each Track is completed with electives | 6-15 | |
Option 1: Thesis (6-8 credits) | ||
Option 2: Food Safety (15 credits) | ||
Option 3: Food Processing Technology (15 credits) | ||
| For these elective credits, choose: | ||
Any 400+ level FDSN Course | ||
Any 500+ level course with advisor approval | ||
Minimum degree credits required: 30
Research for the thesis must be carried out under the direct supervision of a participating faculty member. Based on the requirements of the research project, thesis committee members may be chosen from university faculty members from various departments, FdSN/FDA scientists, and the food industry scientists. The final thesis examination consists of submission of a written thesis followed by an oral presentation open to all FdSN/IFSH staff and the university community. As a part of the thesis, the student is expected to contribute scholarly article(s) to one or more high quality peer-reviewed journals. The student is also encouraged to present the research at a national professional society meeting.
Students may enroll in FDSN 594 and FDSN 597 up to a maximum of two credit hours between both courses when enrolled in six credit hours of thesis; or one credit hour when enrolled in seven credit hours of thesis. However, if the FDSN 597 is used as a short course, the student can register up to four credit hours in FDSN 597 with FdSN adviser approval. Students may not enroll in FDSN 594 or FDSN 597 when using eight credit hours of thesis unless FDSN 597 is used as a short course.
Students must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0/4.0. In addition to the core courses required and electives, further courses may be selected from other departments with the approval of the FdSN adviser to fit the background and needs of the individual student.
