The M.S. in Nutrition at OSU is designed to provide the student with advanced training in nutrition through both course work and research. The research areas are varied and cover areas with an emphasis on molecular, biochemical, physiological & community nutrition as it applies to humans. Successful completion of the M.S. in Nutrition will enable students to continue their graduate or professional education or pursue employment in academia, the government or private industry. M.S. students wishing to pursue the Ph.D. degree in Nutrition at OSU will need to apply to the NGP for consideration for the Ph.D. program.

All entering M.S. students are expected to have proficiency in human nutrition (equivalent to NUTR 417 & 418), biochemistry (equivalent to BB 450 & 451) & physiology. If the student does not have proficiency in one or more of these courses; these courses will be added to the student’s program of study. The curriculum for the M.S. degree in Nutrition is described below.

The OSU graduate school requires a minimum of 45 credits beyond the BS for the M.S.. No more than half of the credits in a program of study can be from 'slash' courses (those that are taught at 400/500 levels simultaneously). The curriculum is composed of 500-level 'slash' courses and 500 or 600-level graduate-only courses.

The time limit for completion of the M.S. degree is governed by the Graduate School:  “All work toward a master’s degree, including transferred credits, course work, thesis, and all examinations, must be completed within seven (7) years.” See Academic Deadlines.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the MS degree in Nutrition, students will demonstrate:

  • Knowledge and scholarship
    Identify and conduct original research and scholarship in the field of nutrition.
  • Communication
    Effectively communicate in their field of study.
  • Critical thinking and problem solving
    Think critically, creatively and solve problems in their field of study.
  • Ethical Conduct
    Conduct research in an ethical and responsible manner.
  • Professional Development
    Demonstrate attributes of professional development consistent with the expectation within their field of study.
*Minimal Competence 400-500 (Slash) Courses
Course # Title Credits
NUTR 517, 518 Human Nutrition Science (or equivalent) 8
BB 550, 551 General Biochemistry (or equivalent) 6
IB 531 & 523 Vertebrate physiology (or equivalent) 7
Total: 21
Core Curriculum: All courses are required
Course # Title Credits
NUTR 503 Thesis 6-12
NUTR 507 Seminar (2 presentations) 2
NUTR 550 Nutritional Status 4
NUTR 617 Advances in Macronutrient Metabolism 3
NUTR 618 Advances in Micronutrient Metabolism 3
GRAD 520 Responsible Conduct for Research 2
  Graduate Level Statistics
(For example, St 511-512 Methods in statistical analysis; H524 Health data analysis, or other statistics courses, as determined by the student’s graduate committee)		 3-12
Required Public Health course  
H 523 Foundations of Public Health 4
Total: 30-44
Core Curriculum Electives: (Select at least one 3-5 credit course from the list below)
Course # Title Credits
NUTR 514 Health Benefits of Functional Foods 3
NUTR 520 Medical Nutrition Therapy 5
NUTR 535 Nutrition and Exercise 3
NUTR 546 Foodservice Organizations 4
H 525 Principles and practices of epidemiology 4
H 526 Epidemiology Methods 3
H 577 Dietary Interventions for Public Health 3
H 591 Selected topics: Public Health Surveillance 3
NUTR 599/699 Special topics in nutrition research (see below) 3

Special topics courses include:
Bone Physiology, offered odd years (Winter)
Neuroendocrine Regulation of Energy Metabolism, offered even years (Winter)
Advances in Metabolic Disease, odd years (Spring)
Advances in Cancer Research, offered even years (Spring)

Additional graduate level courses may be added to the student’s program of study. Such additional courses will be determined by the major professor and the student’s graduate committee. A minimum of 45 credits is required to complete the requirements for the MS in Nutrition.
 

M.S. Nutrition Time Table

Year 1

  • Select a major advisor by the end of the 1st year in the program
  • Form a graduate advisory committee, meet with the committee and submit the M.S.  Program of Study to the Graduate School before completing 18 graduate credits.
  • Begin core curriculum in the NGP
  • Complete Graduate Teaching Assistantships during the 1st year in the program
  • Initiate M.S. Thesis Research Project (NUTR 503)
  • Attend Seminars (NUTR 507)/Symposia/Journal Clubs

 Year 2-4

  • Complete core curriculum and elective courses in the area of emphasis
  • Complete M.S. thesis research
  • Attend Seminars (NUTR 507)/Symposia/Journal Clubs/National or Regional meetings
  • Give at least 2 professional oral presentation in NUTR 507 or at a national meeting
  • Prepare and Defend the M.S. Thesis (NUTR 503)