Nutrition graduate program
Pursue nutrition research focused on improving human health.
The Ph.D. in Nutrition is designed to prepare you for a professional career in nutrition through a combination of coursework and research.
If you’re in interested in human nutrition, you are encouraged to add elective courses in epidemiology or exercise science.
If you’re interested in molecular nutrition, you are encouraged to add courses in molecular and cell biology and advanced courses in biochemistry and biophysics.
All entering Ph.D. students are expected to have proficiency in human nutrition (equivalent to NUTR 417 & 418), biochemistry (equivalent to BB 450 & 451) and physiology.
Exercise physiology can substitute for one quarter of the two-quarter course in human physiology. If you do not have proficiency (minimal competence) in one or more of these courses, these courses will be added to the program of study.
The OSU Graduate School requires a minimum of 108 credits beyond the B.S. for the Ph.D.
Time limit for completion of the Ph.D. degree is governed by the Graduate School. The critical element is the time between the successful completion of the oral preliminary examination and the final oral examination of the dissertation. This time cannot be more than five years. The oral preliminary exam is to be successfully completed before entering the third year in the program.
Upon completion of the Ph.D. degree in Nutrition, students will demonstrate:
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, 532 | Human Physiology (or equivalent) | 7 |
Total: 21 |
Core Curriculum: All courses are required | ||
---|---|---|
Course # | Title | Credits |
NUTR 550 | Nutritional Status | 4 |
NUTR 603 | Dissertation | 36 or more |
NUTR 607 | Seminar (3 quarters) | 3 |
NUTR 617 | Advances in macronutrient metabolism | 3 |
NUTR 618 | Advances in micronutrient metabolism | 3 |
GRAD 520 | Responsible conduct for research | 1 |
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) |
9-12 | |
Required public health courses | ||
H 523 | Foundations of Public Health | 4 |
Total: 59-62 |
Core Curriculum Electives: |
||
---|---|---|
Course # | Title | Credits |
NUTR 699 | Special Topics in Nutrition Research (2 courses, 3 credits each) | 6 |
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)
Courses recommended for students focusing on molecular nutrition | ||
---|---|---|
Course # | Title | Credits |
MCB 554 | Genome Organization, Structure and Maintenance | 4 |
MCB 555 | Genome Expression and Regulation | 4 |
BB 590-592 | Biochemistry (3 courses) | 9 |
BB 654 | Proteins | 3 |
Electives recommended for students focusing on human nutrition | ||
---|---|---|
Course # | Title | Credits |
NUTR 514 | Health Benefits of Functional Foods | 3 |
NUTR 535 | Nutrition and Exercise | 3 |
H 526 | Epidemiology Methods | 3 |
H 577 | Dietary Interventions in Public Health | 3 |
H 591 | Selected Topics: Public Health Surveillance | 3 |
Additional graduate level courses may be added to the student’s program of study. Such courses will be determined by the major professor and the student’s Graduate Committee.
A minimum of 108 credits is required to complete the requirements for the Ph.D. in Nutrition.
We’re happy to connect with you by email, phone or virtual meetings.
For questions about the application process and requirements, contact CPHHS graduate admissions.
To discuss curriculum and research, contact program director Urszula T. Iwaniec, Ph.D.