Human Nutrition (MSc, PhD)

The graduate program in Human Nutrition offers opportunities for advanced study and original investigations in basic and applied human nutrition at both the master’s and doctoral levels. The curriculum includes coursework and thesis research through laboratory or field work in a variety of areas relevant to human nutrition including nutrient metabolism, diet and disease, nutrition through the life cycle and nutrition behaviours.

Research projects also examine environmental, social, and individual determinants of food choices and eating patterns; this includes better understanding of sociocultural effects on diet, and the impact living in “food deserts” can have on good health.

International nutrition projects in Cambodia, Zambia, Rwanda and other countries seek to improve maternal, infant and child nutrition.

MSc

For admission with full standing into the MSc program, applicants from a Canadian or American university or college must hold a bachelor degree or its academic equivalent with a minimum overall average in the B+ range (at UBC 76% or higher) in all third- and fourth-year courses. Minimum academic requirements for students from other countries are specified on the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies web site.

For students whose degree was not completed in English, minimum TOEFL scores are 577 (paper version), 233 (computer version), or 90 (Internet version); or IELTS score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.

Students admitted to the MSc program must meet the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies’ master’s degree admission requirements.

In addition, required prerequisite courses include biochemistry, human or vertebrate physiology and advanced nutrition. A minimum of 3 credits (three hours per week, for two academic terms or one academic year) is required in each of biochemistry and physiology, and a minimum of 12 credits is required in nutrition. These prerequisite courses must be completed at the third- or fourth-year level. Students without a background in nutrition, or with fewer than 12 credits of undergraduate courses in nutrition, may apply to the program. However, if admitted, they will be required to take the missing credits of third- or fourth-year nutrition courses early in the graduate program, in addition to the usual MSc course requirements.

PhD

Applicants for the PhD degree must ordinarily hold a first-class master’s degree in nutrition with a standing of “A”, and a bachelor’s degree with the above academic standing in nutrition or a related science. For students whose degree was not completed in English, minimum TOEFL scores are 577 (paper version), 233 (computer version), or 90 (Internet version); or IELTS score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.

Students are not normally admitted directly into the PhD program from a bachelor’s program. However, highly qualified students may transfer to the PhD program without completing a MSc thesis. Click here for additional information about transferring programs.

MSc

The MSc program requires completion of a minimum of 30 credits, including an 18-credit research thesis and at least 12 credits of coursework. With an 18-credit thesis, students can include a maximum of 3 credits of senior undergraduate courses.

HUNU 500, 531 and at least one other 500-level HUNU graduate course are required of all students in the MSc program.

A student’s supervisory committee may require more than the minimum credits.

PhD

The PhD program requires completion of HUNU 500 and HUNU 631. Additional coursework will be selected in consultation with the student’s supervisory committee. All doctoral students are required to successfully complete a comprehensive examination. The major requirement for the PhD is completion of a research dissertation that meets the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies requirements.