Food Science Graduate Program

The following is a general description of the graduate program in the Food Science Section, Department of Animal & Food Sciences at the University of Kentucky. If you are interested in receiving more information and being considered for admission to the Food Science Graduate Program in the Department of Animal Sciences, please fill out our Food Science electronic graduate program information request form or contact:

Information regarding the University of Kentucky Graduate School can be obtained from the Graduate School Home Page. In addition, this site contains international and domestic application forms for admission and fellowship/assistantship which can be completed on-line, printed on a local printer and mailed to the Graduate School.

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Programs of Study

The Graduate Program in Food Science at the University of Kentucky provides opportunity for advanced study in the discipline of Food Science. The aim of the Program in Food Science is to develop Food Science specialists who are able to function in a variety of sophisticated academic, industrial and professional settings. Specific degree requirements are determined through individual consultation with a faculty advisor (M.S.) or an advisor and a special committee (Ph.D.). Eight full-time faculty presently make up the Food Science Section. Students may elect to pursue their graduate work in the following areas: food chemistry, food microbiology, food safety, muscle biochemistry, lipids, and meat and dairy technology.

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Master of Science Degree Requiring a Thesis (Plan A)

Requirements under this option includes a thesis to be developed under the direction of an advisor and 24 credits (500 level or higher) with a minimum of 12 credits in courses 600 or higher. At least one-half of the course work must be in the major area. Food science and non-food science courses are chosen on the basis of the student's area of interest and with the approval of an advisor.

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Non-thesis Master of Science Degree (Plan B)

This is a non-thesis plan and requires 36 credits (500 level or higher) with a minimum of 18 credits in courses 600 or higher. Students selecting this option are required to have, either at the undergraduate or graduate level, FSC 434G Food Chemistry (No graduate credit), FSC 530 Food Microbiology, ASC 771 Seminar, and FSC 780 Special Problem. In addition, students will be required to write a paper or do a research project and present a seminar on their paper or research project.

Additional food science and non-food science courses required to meet the degree requirements of the non-thesis program are chosen on the basis of the student's area of interest and with the approval of an advisor.

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Requirements for the Ph.D. Degree

Each student's program is guided by a Major Professor and a five member Advisory Committee. Each student must select a major area of study and may with the approval of their Advisory Committee select one or more minor areas of study. Requirements for the doctorate may be completed in three years of full-time graduate work or the equivalent in combined full-time and part-time study, however, more time may be required. Students must complete two semesters of full-time resident requirement (dissertation study) immediately following satisfactory completion of their Qualifying Examinations.

NOTE: Students deficient in specific areas or course work may be required to make up deficiencies by taking undergraduate courses for non-granduate credit.

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Financial Aid

The Food Science Program in the Department of Animal Sciences awards a number of research assistantships annually supported by both internal and extramural funding sources which include eligibility for waiver of out-of-state fees. Enrollment as a full-time student (9 credit hours) is required. Application for admission and completion of the departmental Personal Data Record serve as the application for these assistantships. Additionally, there are a number of scholarships and fellowships available in the food science field including those listed at the Food Science Opportunities  web page.  The University of Kentucky Office of Student Financial Aid, 128 Funkhouser Bldg., University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506-0054 (phone: 859/257-3172), assists students in procuring fellowships, scholarships, and loans.

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Tuition

Current and projected graduate tuition rates can be found at University of Kentucky's registrar Tuition and Fees web page

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Living and Housing Costs

University housing is available for single and married graduate students. Current rates can be found at the University of Kentucky's registrar graduate student housing web page. Inquiries concerning graduate and married student housing should be directed to the University of Kentucky Graduate & Family Housing 700 Woodland Avenue Lexington, KY 40508 (phone: 859-323-1900).

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Enrollment

Approximately 21,000 students of which 8,000 are graduate students, attend the University of Kentucky in Lexington each year.

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Location

The University is located in the city of Lexington, in the central Kentucky Bluegrass Region. The city has a population of approximately 300,000.

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The University

The University of Kentucky is a land-grant university consisting of eighteen colleges and schools. It provides a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, including eighty-seven master s and fifty-nine doctoral programs.

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Correspondence and Information