Program Overview

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Nutrition and Metabolism, MS

Overview

The Nutrition and Metabolism graduate program is a multidisciplinary, integrative science that provides graduate students with specialized training in a specific research area and a general background in the science and practice of nutrition. The program is flexible, allowing students with various undergraduate degrees to meet the background prerequisites.

The Student Experience

The program's goal is to provide graduate students interested in nutrition with an opportunity to obtain specialized training in a specific research area and also to obtain a general background in the science and practice of nutrition. The program draws on the strengths of faculty in a number of the university's colleges and academic departments to enhance the instructional and research experience.

Learn through Research

The training objectives of the Nutrition and Metabolism graduate program are to provide students with an understanding of basic nutritional principles as they apply to humans, animals, and molecular models, to provide them with current knowledge in each area of emphasis, to make them aware of the integrative and multidisciplinary nature of nutrition research, and to direct them toward a successful career through the thesis and publications.

Build Community and Networks

The Nutrition and Metabolism graduate program offers opportunities to work with over 50 faculty members from 19 different departments. The graduate faculty have well-developed, competitively-funded research programs and have been nationally recognized for their activities. They are active in national and international nutrition activities, and serve on editorial boards, as society officers, and as participants in numerous workshops and on advisory committees.

Admissions

• Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School.
• Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s).
• The program may have more detailed admissions requirements, which can be found below.
• Requirements:
  • Fall Deadline: December 1
  • Spring Deadline: This program does not admit in the spring.
  • Summer Deadline: This program does not admit in the summer.
  • GRE (Graduate Record Examinations): Not required.
  • English Proficiency Test: Refer to the Graduate School's policy.
  • Other Test(s) (e.g., GMAT, MCAT): n/a
  • Letters of Recommendation Required: 3

Preparatory Coursework

• Candidates for graduate study in nutrition and metabolism should have a strong background in mathematics, chemistry, biological sciences, medical sciences, or social sciences.
• Specific prerequisites for the graduate program include:
  • 2 semesters of general chemistry
  • 2 semesters of biological sciences
  • 1 semester of organic chemistry
  • Biochemistry with an organic chemistry prerequisite
  • 1 semester of statistics or calculus
  • 1 semester of physiology
• Applicants who have not completed all the requirements may be admitted, but deficiencies should be made up during the first year of graduate study.
• All applicants must have a minimum grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale), as well as three references, and a personal statement.

Funding

• The Bursars Office provides information about tuition and fees associated with being a graduate student.
• Resources to help afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid.
• Nutrition and Metabolism MS students receive an annual stipend, as well as tuition remission, paid by the lab they are directly admitted to.
• The stipend appointment may take the form of research assistantships, teaching assistantships, or fellowships.

Minimum Graduate School Requirements

• Review the Graduate School minimum degree requirements and policies, in addition to the program requirements listed below.

Major Requirements

• Mode of Instruction: Face to Face
• Curricular Requirements:
  • Minimum Credit Requirement: 30 credits
  • Minimum Residence Credit Requirement: 16 credits
  • Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement: 15 credits must be graduate-level coursework.
  • Overall Graduate GPA Requirement: 3.00 GPA required.
• Required Courses:
  • Core Courses:
    • NUTR SCI 600: Introductory Seminar in Nutrition (1 credit)
    • NUTR SCI 618: Research Approaches in the Era of Precision Nutrition (3 credits)
    • NUTR SCI/BIOCHEM 619: Advanced Nutrition: Intermediary Metabolism of Macronutrients (3 credits)
    • NUTR SCI 931: Seminar-Nutrition (1 credit)
    • NUTR SCI 745: Grant Writing for Nutritional Sciences Research (2 credits)
    • NUTR SCI 799: Practicum in Nutritional Sciences Teaching (1-3 credits)
  • Research:
    • NUTR SCI 991: Research Nutrition (1-12 credits)
  • Electives:
    • Students select 6 credits of elective courses numbered 300 and above with the Grad 50% attribute.

Graduate School Policies

• The Graduate Schools Academic Policies and Procedures serve as the official document of record for Graduate School academic and administrative policies and procedures.

Major-Specific Policies

• Prior Coursework:
  • Graduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions: With approval of the certification committee, students are allowed to transfer up to 14 credits of graduate coursework from other institutions.
  • Undergraduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions or UW-Madison: Refer to the Graduate School's policy.
• Probation:
  • The program requires a cumulative 3.0 GPA for all courses taken in the UW Graduate School.
  • A student who does not maintain a 3.0 GPA can continue on probationary status for two semesters at the recommendation of the major professor.
• Advisor / Committee:
  • Refer to the Graduate School's policies.
• Credits Per Term Allowed:
  • 12 credits: Fall and Spring semesters
  • 2 credits: Per eight-week summer session
• Time Limits:
  • Refer to the Graduate School's policy.
• Grievances and Appeals:
  • These resources may be helpful in addressing concerns.

Professional Development

• Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career.

Learning Outcomes

1. Articulates, critiques, and elaborates the theories, research methods, and approaches to inquiry in nutrition and metabolism.
2. Identifies sources and assembles evidence pertaining to questions or challenges in nutrition and metabolism.
3. Selects and/or utilizes the most appropriate methodologies and practices.
4. Evaluates or synthesizes information pertaining to questions or challenges in nutrition and metabolism.
5. Communicates clearly in ways appropriate to the field of nutrition and metabolism.
6. Recognizes and applies principles of ethical and professional conduct.