Food Science and Technology (MS)

MS

Food Science and Technology, MS

On Campus 30 - 36 cr

Advancing available healthy foods through safety and processing sustainability.

Description

As a graduate student in our program, you will work closely with internationally recognized faculty. Our research areas are dedicated to solving real problems within the food system, from harvest to food processing to consumption to individual health. We invite you to work long side faculty conducting research on food allergens, bioinformatics, biotechnology, food chemistry, food engineering, human health, food microbiology, food processing, food safety, and risk analysis.

Food Science and Technology faculty are located in the Food Innovation Center on Nebraska Innovation Campus (NIC). The Food Innovation Center includes state-of-the-art classrooms, teaching labs, and wet/dry lab research space. It also includes clinical facilities, sensory lab, and pilot plants.

The program is highly flexible allowing you to tailor your curriculum to meet your individual interests and goals. Alumni now hold positions in industry, at academic institutions and in government agencies.

We offer two options in Master of Science Degree (M.S.) in Food Science and Technology

  • Thesis consists of original research that contributes to new knowledge. It is designed to prepare students for careers in research. MS Option A is eligible for assistantship funding.
  • Project is considered a professional, terminal degree. It is designed for students who do not intend to pursue a graduate degree beyond a master's degree or research career. MS Option B is not eligible for assistantship funding.

For more information, visit https://foodscience.unl.edu/gradprograms.

Career Pathways

  • Industry positions at major food companies
  • Research positions in government and major research centers
  • Academic positions at major research universities

Specializations

  1. Bioinformatics

Applying for Admission

Standard requirements for all graduate programs

  • Application for Admission with $50 non-refundable application fee.
  • Transcripts (unofficial): Uploaded as part of application form.

    If International: Uploads must include all college- or university-level transcripts or mark sheets (records of courses and marks earned), with certificates, diplomas, and degrees plus certified English translations.

    After admission: Official documents are required from all students who are admitted and enroll. Photocopies of certified records are not acceptable. International students enrolled in other U.S. institutions may have certified copies of all foreign records sent directly to the Office of Graduate Studies by their current school’s registrar office.

  • If applicant’s native language is not English, verification of English proficiency is required.

    When sending TOEFL scores, our institution code is 6877 and a department code is not needed.

  • If applicant is not a US citizen and expects an F or J visa: financial information.
  • Applicants must also fulfill any additional requirements the department specifies at the time of application.

Additional requirements specific to this program

  • Resume or curriculum vitae: Be sure to include prior educational, research, teaching, internship/work, and volunteer experiences. Applicants are also encouraged to include information about awards, publications, and presentations, and highlight any extra-curricular and/or leadership activities.
  • Personal Statement: In two pages or less, describe 1) your motivation for pursuing a graduate degree in Food Science; 2) your relevant experiences (research, teaching, internships/work, volunteering) that have prepared you for graduate school; and 3) what you want to gain during graduate school. Where appropriate, include examples of yoru ability to overcome obstacles, your initiative, and your communication skills. Although you do not need to identify an advisor to apply, indicate if there are specific faculty members you are interested in working with and why.
  • Other Upload: FDST-MS Professional Development Supplemental Form PDF.
  • Three recommendation letters
  • Optional: On the application form's Additional Information page, you may upload or provide a URL for abstracts, publications, documentation of special recognitions or certifications, etc. Do not duplicate information/documents uploaded elsewhere in the application.
  • Funding/Assistantship: Check the appropriate boxes in the Funding section of the application. This department will consider self-funded applicants at the master's level.

Admission Application Deadlines

Apply by December 1 for Fall admission or by August 15 for Spring admission.

Graduate Chair

Amanda Ramer-Tait

Support Staff

Julie McManamey

Tuition & Fees
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Are you a 1st generation graduate student?
See program summaries for details like application deadlines and requirements.

The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment.

UNL Graduate Chairs and staff please complete the program update form to provide edits. Updates to graduate program pages are made on an annual basis in conjunction with the Graduate Application for Admission.