Program Overview

Doctor of Philosophy in Nutritional Sciences

The PhD Program in Nutritional Sciences aims to give students the opportunity to gain advanced knowledge related to various aspects of nutritional sciences. The program will give an opportunity to the students to conduct high-quality research, which will enhance the knowledge of the ways various nutrients, foods, and dietary patterns could mitigate the risk of diseases and promote prevention. In addition, the program provides guidance for improving lifestyle and preventing and/or treating diseases through nutrition education and helps gather data for policy makers, to design and implement strategies for improving health of all individuals.

Program Objectives

• To prepare and create future leaders of excellence in research, industry, and government sectors.
• To enhance R & D capabilities with advanced skills among the graduates to serve the society.
• To improve student's competencies in critical thinking, problem solving, leadership, team work, and effective communication.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate advanced level of knowledge in Nutritional Sciences.
• Ethically conduct original interdisciplinary research, including development of a relevant methodology, data collection and analysis, interpretation of scientific results and literature, drawing conclusion and recommendations to improve health and well-being at the local, national, and international levels.
• Identify issues to problems in nutritional science by proposing alternative solutions/ideas.
• Communicate evidence-based nutritional science information using appropriate (written, visual, and oral) means, according to the level of the audiences (professional or general).
• Demonstrate leadership qualities in the field of nutritional science to contribute to a future successful career in academia, industry, or policy-making.

Degree Requirements

Required Credit Hours: minimum 55 hours

College Requirement

• COSC702: Ethics of Scientific Research II (1 hour)
• CMPH742: Biostatistics I (2 hours)
• CMPH752: Biostatistics II (2 hours)
• COFA770: Sustainable Food and Agriculture (3 hours)
• COFA760: Advance Scientific Writing (2 hours)

Core Course Requirements

• NUTR805: Advanced Macronutrient Metabolism (3 hours)
• NUTR820: Advanced Micronutrient Metabolism (3 hours)
• NUTR830: Human Nutrition Assessment (3 hours)

Elective Courses

• Students should either select two courses from the list below or one course from the list below and any 3-credit hour 700-level course offered by UAEU and approved by the Advisory Committee. (6 hours)
  • NUTR705: Advanced Community Nutrition (3 hours)
  • NUTR720: Nutritional Immunology (3 hours)
  • NUTR740: Physical Activity and Fitness (3 hours)
  • NUTR750: Selected Topics in Nutritional Sciences (3 hours)

Qualification Requirements

• NUTR800: Comprehensive Exam (0 hours)
• NUTR810: Research Proposal (0 hours)

Research Requirements

• NUTR900: Dissertation Research (30 hours)
• NUTR910: Dissertation Defense (0 hours)