Nutritional Sciences

Program Overview

Quick Facts

Master of Science

Program Description

The aim of the MSc program is to develop the student's abilities to conceptualize research problems in the area of human nutrition, synthesize ideas and approaches in the research problem, analyze and interpret data, transmit his or her findings to peers, and expand his or her knowledge in, and perspective of, the field of human nutrition. Thus, major emphasis is placed on the research project and thesis.

The MSc program can be taken on a full-time or part-time basis. A limited number of students are admitted to the program on a part-time basis.

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Students with diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Nutritional Sciences' additional admission requirements stated below.

• A- standing in the final two years of a bachelor's degree program or evidence of strong potential as a researcher.

Program Requirements

• Coursework. Students must complete 2.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

  • participation in NFS1204Y Master's Seminars in Nutritional Sciences (1.0 FCE) throughout their period of full-time registration and

  • a minimum of two half courses (1.0 FCE).

• For students with undergraduate training in nutritional sciences, at least one of these courses must be taken in the department. Students with undergraduate training in disciplines other than nutritional sciences must take at least two half courses from the department.

• A course in statistical methods or research design and analysis is required if not completed previously.

• Thesis on an approved research area and its defence at an oral examination.

Program Length

3 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S);
6 sessions part-time

Time Limit

3 years full-time;
6 years part-time

Doctor of Philosophy

Program Description

The aim of the PhD program is to develop the student's abilities to conceptualize research problems in the area of human nutrition, synthesize ideas and approaches in the research problem, analyze and interpret data, transmit their findings to peers, and expand their knowledge in, and perspective of, the field of human nutrition. Thus, major emphasis is placed on the research project and thesis.

Applicants may enter the PhD program via one of three routes: 1) following completion of an MSc degree; 2) transfer from the University of Toronto MSc program; or 3) direct entry following completion a bachelor’s degree.

PhD Program

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies.

• Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Nutritional Sciences' additional admission requirements stated below.

• Applicants may enter the PhD program with an appropriate MSc degree with at least an A– standing or evidence of strong potential as a researcher.

Program Requirements

• Coursework. Students must successfully complete a total of 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

  • NFS1304Y⁰ Doctoral Seminars in Nutritional Sciences (1.0 FCE; Credit/No Credit);

  • a minimum of four half courses (2.0 FCEs).

• The courses will be chosen by each student to provide an appropriate background for their area of investigation. It is expected that all students will have an adequate knowledge of research design and statistics through coursework in their past or the current graduate program. The choice of courses will be made in consultation with the supervisor and the student's advisory committee and is subject to the approval of the department.

• Successful completion of a PhD qualifying examination in nutritional sciences is required by the end of Year 1 of registration in the program. The examination is designed to ensure that students have developed a rigorous and comprehensive research proposal in a timely fashion. The oral examination is approximately two hours long, is graded as pass/fail, and takes place approximately nine months following initial registration. The examination will be conducted by the PhD Qualifying Examination Committee consisting of two faculty members appointed by the department and two faculty members chosen by the student. A student who fails the first attempt at the exam will be permitted one more attempt. Failure of the second attempt will result in a recommendation for program termination.

• Thesis.

• Student must pass the departmental examination before proceeding to the Doctoral Final Oral Examination.

• The residence requirement is two years, whereby students must be on campus full-time and consequently in geographical proximity to be able to participate fully in the University activities associated with the program.

• It is expected that students can complete their PhD within four years of full-time study, research, and thesis preparation; however, some students may require longer.

Program Length

4 years full-time

Time Limit

6 years full-time

PhD Program (Transfer)

Applicants may be accepted into the PhD program via transfer from the U of T Nutritional Sciences MSc program. Students are required to be in good academic standing.

Transfer Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be enrolled in the U of T MSc program in Nutritional Sciences. Excellent students with high academic standing (normally a minimum A– average on MSc courses) who have clearly demonstrated the ability to do research at the doctoral level may be considered for transfer to the PhD program. Recommendation of the advisory committee is required.

• Successfully complete a reclassification transfer exam within 12 months of starting the MSc program; this includes successfully defending a research proposal during a reclassification oral examination.

• Successfully complete the required MSc courses:

  • NFS1204Y⁰ Master's Seminars in Nutritional Sciences (1.0 full-course equivalent [FCE]; Credit/No Credit); and

  • two other half courses (1.0 FCE).

Program Requirements

• Coursework. Students must complete successfully complete a total of 4.0 FCEs as follows:

  • NFS1304Y⁰ Doctoral Seminars in Nutritional Sciences (1.0 FCE; Credit/No Credit);

  • a minimum of six half courses (3.0 FCEs) including the two half courses taken during Year 1 of the MSc program.

• For a student who is reclassified from the MSc to the PhD, the intent is that all requirements of the normal MSc (except the thesis) plus all requirements of the PhD shall be completed. There is no priori reduction of course requirements and no expectation that the course requirements to be completed in the PhD will be any different than would hold if the student completed the MSc and then enrolled in the PhD.

• A PhD qualifying exam is not required for students transferring from the MSc program.

• Thesis.

• Students must pass the departmental examination before proceeding to the Doctoral Final Oral Examination.

• The residence requirement is three years, whereby students must be on campus full-time and consequently in geographical proximity to be able to participate fully in the University activities associated with the program.

• It is expected that students can complete their PhD within five years of full-time study, research, and thesis preparation; however, some students may require longer.

Program Length

5 years full-time

Time Limit

7 years full-time

PhD Program (Direct-Entry)

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies.

• Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Nutritional Sciences' additional admission requirements stated below.

• Applicants may enter the PhD program directly from a bachelor's degree if they have an academic background in nutrition or a related discipline, an A or better average in their final two years, and strong evidence of research aptitude (such evidence may include lead authorship on research publications and presentations at scientific conferences and strong letters of reference from undergraduate research mentors).

Program Requirements

• Coursework. Students must successfully complete a total of 4.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

  • NFS1304Y⁰ Doctoral Seminars in Nutritional Sciences (1.0 FCE; Credit/No Credit);

  • a minimum of six half courses (3.0 FCEs).

• The courses will be chosen by each student to provide an appropriate background for their area of investigation. It is expected that all students will have an adequate knowledge of research design and statistics through coursework in their past or the current graduate program. The choice of courses will be made in consultation with the supervisor and the student's advisory committee and is subject to the approval of the department.

• Successful completion of a PhD qualifying examination in nutritional sciences is required within the first 18 months of registration in the program. The examination is designed to ensure that students have developed a rigorous and comprehensive research proposal in a timely fashion. The oral examination is approximately two hours long, is graded as pass/fail, and takes place approximately nine months following initial registration. The examination will be conducted by the PhD Qualifying Examination Committee consisting of two faculty members appointed by the department and two faculty members chosen by the student. A student who fails the first attempt at the exam will be permitted one more attempt. Failure of the second attempt will result in a recommendation for program termination.

• Thesis.

• Student must pass the departmental examination before proceeding to the Doctoral Final Oral Examination.

• The residence requirement is three years, whereby students must be on campus full-time and consequently in geographical proximity to be able to participate fully in the University activities associated with the program.

• It is expected that students can complete their PhD within five years of full-time study, research, and thesis preparation; however, some students may require longer.

Program Length

5 years

Time Limit

7 years

⁰ Course that may continue over a program. Credit is given when the course is completed.