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DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND ANIMAL SCIENCES

Dr. Lloyd Walker, Chairperson 
100 Carver Complex South, Thomas Wing

MISSION 

As a part of the School of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, the Department of Food and Animal Sciences operates within the total mission of the University's land-grant function of instruction, research, and extension service.  The specific mission includes offering graduate training at M.S. and Ph.D. levels in Food Science. The M.S. degree program is offered with a thesis or non-thesis option. 

OBJECTIVES 

1.   To offer comprehensive instructional and research programs in existing and new fields in Food Science.

2.   To train graduate students in both basic and applied research in Food Science. 

GENERAL PROGRAM INFORMATION

Degree programs offered by the department include thesis and/or non-thesis options for an M.S. degree in Food Science and a Ph.D. with dissertation in Food Science.  Students electing to pursue a Master of Science degree are expected to have as their objective preparation for professional career employment in areas of food chemistry, food microbiology, food engineering, food processing, food product development, food sensory evaluation, nutrition, food toxicology and food biotechnology. Employment opportunities for graduates are generally available in the food industry, animal industry, governmental research and regulatory agencies, public or private research facilities, and academia or extension services. 

Students electing to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Food Science will select their interests from similar listings in food science as mentioned above. They will be expected to develop increased refinements of understanding in their emphasis in order to have the more specialized positions in research and/or education. 

The following are brief guidelines for admission and degree requirements.  Further details are available in the Handbook on Graduate Degree Programs available from the Graduate Program coordinator.

ADMISSION TO M.S. DEGREE PROGRAM 

For admission, a student must have a Bachelor of Science degree in an area of agricultural or other sciences, nutrition, engineering or mathematics.  Students with bachelor's degree preparation in areas other than food science will have to take prerequisite courses to satisfy any deficiencies of core courses considered vital for food science undergraduate majors.  Candidates must satisfy the general admission requirements of the School of Graduate Studies, which include a minimum GPA of 2.75 in their undergraduate degree program for regular admission. Graduate Record Examination scores must be submitted.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS FOR MASTER OF SCIENCE

Thesis Option:  A minimum of 30 semester hours to include 24 hours of coursework including at least one hour of graduate seminar and 6 semester hours of thesis research are required for graduation.  Of these, at least 12 hours of coursework should be at 600 level, with a minimum of 9 hours at 600 level in the major area of emphasis.  Students without an undergraduate degree in the major will be guided by their graduate student advisory committee to take additional courses that will generally extend the hours in the program beyond 30 semester hours.  The students are expected to complete the degree within a period of two calendar years.  During the course of graduate study, the student will be required to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. A successful defense of the thesis and a completed thesis document prepared according to the Guidelines of the School of Graduate Studies will complete the degree requirements.  

Non-Thesis Option:  A minimum of 36 semester hours to include 32 hours of coursework and 4 hours of master's report as determined by the student's advisory committee are required. Eighteen (18) hours must be in the student's major area and, of these, 9 hours must be at the 600 level or higher.  An additional 3 credits required at the 600 level or higher may be in supporting areas. The master's report is prepared in the form and style of the thesis document but limited in scope as guided by the student's advisory committee.  Passing a comprehensive examination administered by the student's advisory committee is required to complete the degree requirements.

ADMISSION TO Ph.D. PROGRAM 

An applicant must satisfy the general admission requirements of the School of Graduate Studies and meet the specific requirements of the program area, including a minimum GPA of 3.25 at the M.S. degree level from an approved science program, a minimum Graduate Record Examination score of 1200, three letters of reference, and a personal statement on career objectives.  One of the reference letters should preferably be from the student's major advisor from the previous graduate program.  Admission status will be provisional until a qualifying examination is successfully passed.  The qualifying examination will be delayed until any deficiencies in background courses are taken with a minimum GPA performance of 3.25. 

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS FOR DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY 

Degree requirements will be in excess of satisfaction of background courses and will be determined by the graduate student advisory committee after a careful review of the student's background.  The advisory committee will consist of five or more graduate faculty members with a majority of them being from the food science area.  A comprehensive examination must be completed within five years of the student's initial enrollment and after completing at least 80 percent of the coursework and completion of language requirements.  A dissertation proposal will be completed with the guidance of the advisory committee.  Admission to candidacy is an indication of completion of all coursework, successful passing of written and oral comprehensive examinations, and having filed an approved dissertation proposal with the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies.  Candidacy marks the achievement in which the student's major attention is to focus on the dissertation efforts.  Each Ph.D. student must complete the following program requirements: 

1.   A total of 28 credit hours (minimum GPA of 3.00) beyond the Master's level at the 600 level or above, including 9 semester hours or more at the 700 level, are required. An additional two credit hours of FAS 797, Seminar, are required of all doctoral students.

2.   A reading knowledge of at least one foreign language in which there exists a significant body of literature relevant to the major field of study or at least 3 semester hours of a scientific computer programming language.  The foreign language requirement is satisfied by a grade of "B" or better in a 200-level or higher language course. 

3.   A meaningful teaching experience is required in which the Ph.D. student works under the supervision of a faculty member in the regular conduct of the organization, delivery and evaluation of a course. 

4.   Successful completion of written and oral comprehensive examinations after completing at least 80 percent of the prescribed course work. 

5.   Completion of a doctoral dissertation involving a minimum of 12 semester hours of dissertation research on a topic determined through the collaborative efforts of the major advisor and the graduate student advisory committee.  The effort must be scholarly and make a significant contribution to the field of study. 

6.   A final oral examination is required and must be taken at least two weeks prior to graduation.  The examination will be concerned primarily with the candidate's dissertation but may include other aspects of the student's graduate work. 

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS 

FAS 503 Food Microbiology - Four semester hours.  Theoretical and practical studies on the role of microorganisms in foods pertaining to processing, preservation, spoilage and pathogenicity.  Quantitative and qualitative microbial evaluation procedures applicable to food industry and science.  Term paper and presentation of current topics in the subject area are required.  (Prerequisite:  BIO 330 and BIO 330L)  Fall.

FAS 504 Animal Hygiene and Parasitology - Four semester hours.  Comprehensive background in the housing and management of farm animals, including parasitic diseases in farm animals.  The laboratory is intended to give practical training in the identification of parasites.  (Prerequisite:  BIO 103, BIO 103L) Spring. 

FAS 505 Meat Science and Technology - Three semester hours.  Histological and physiological aspects of skeletal muscle affecting meat quality.  Principles of processing and preservation of meat and meat products.  Methods of studying and evaluating meat characteristics and composition.  Selection, identification and utilization of wholesale and retail cut of meat.  Term paper and presentation of current topics in the subject area are required.  Even Fall. 

FAS 507 Food Chemistry - Four semester hours.  Provides a broad overview of the chemistry of food constituents and their contribution to functional, flavor and textural characteristics as well as chemical and physical changes in food components during processing and storage.  (Prerequisites:  CHE 301, CHE 301L or Consent of Instructor)  Fall. 

FAS 508 Food Analysis - Four semester hours.  Methods of analysis of foods and the application of these methods in the food industry.  Analytical procedures using current equipment for the detection and quantification of nutrients, antinutrients and other components will also be discussed.  (Prerequisite:  FAS 507 or Consent of Instructor)  Spring.

 

FAS 521 Poultry Products Technology - Three semester hours.  Factors affecting poultry products quality, their identification, control and maintenance.  Information on procurement, processing, packaging and distribution of poultry products will be disseminated.  A term paper and presentations of current topics in the subject area are required.  Odd Fall. 

FAS 528 Physiology of Reproduction  - Four semester hours.  A study of early fetal growth, differentiation and development of the gonads, secondary sex organs and the gametes.  Comparative anatomy and physiology of the male and female reproductive tracts of the common domestic species; including mechanism of endocrine control of reproduction, fertilization, cleavage, implantation and parturition.  Advantages of cryopreserving sperm, ova and embryos are also discussed.  Spring.

FAS 538 Fruits, Vegetables and Cereal Products Technology - Three semester hours.  The post harvest handling of fruits, vegetables and cereals including storage, preservation and utilization; post harvest physiology, controlled atmosphere storage, processing and preservation etc. will be discussed.  Experience is provided in developing appropriate information and applying it to the decision making process in the food industry.  Odd Spring. 

FAS 550 Regulation of Food Safety and Quality - Three semester hours.  History of food laws and regulations; various agencies involved in enforcing the food laws; and how these agencies carry out their assigned duties.  This course is open to other majors. (Pre-requisite: Consent of Instructor) Spring. 

FAS 551 Food Quality Assurance - Three semester hours.  Basic principles of quality assurance related to the food processing industry.  Various attributes and characteristics of food quality and product quality evaluation methods will be presented to set forth examples of producers', processors', consumers' and regulators' concerns in maintaining food quality.  Odd Fall. 

FAS 553 Agricultural Biochemistry - Four semester hours.  Introduction to the fundamentals of biochemistry.  Intermediary metabolism, mechanism of inheritance and gene manipulation techniques will be discussed.  Accompanying laboratory deals with basic techniques in biochemistry.  (Prerequisites:  CHE 204, CHE 301 or equivalent)  Fall. 

FAS 561 Food Engineering - Four semester hours.  Principles of elementary mechanics, physical properties of food and processing materials, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, psychrometrics, refrigeration and dehydration for design of food processing systems.  Steady and unsteady-state heat transfer problems.  Analysis of different aspects of a food system from the engineering viewpoint.  (Prerequisites:  MTH 126 and PHY 103)  Fall. 

FAS 572 Food Processing - Four semester hours.  Application of basic principles and practices of unit operations for food processing and preservation.  Understanding of prediction methods for design of food processes such as canning, freezing and dehydration.  Effect of processing on food quality, food storage.  Class presentation and a term paper are required.  (Prerequisite:  FAS 461L/FAS 561)  Spring. 

FAS 605 Special Problems - Two to three semester hours.  Involves a detailed experimental study of a chosen problem in food science or animal science.  (Prerequisite:  Consent of Instructor)  

FAS 611 Food Toxicology - Three semester hours.  Principles and problems in evaluating the wholesomeness and safety of foods, food components, food additives and food contaminants; selective toxicity, detoxication mechanisms, structure and biological activity of food toxicants.  Fall. 

FAS 615 Food Enzymes - Three semester hours.  Even though the course will deal with properties of enzymes in general, emphasis will be placed on those properties of enzymes used specifically in food processing and practical application of enzymes at the various phases of the food industry.  Fall. 

FAS 617 Food Flavors and Pigments - Three semester hours.  A detailed study of the chemistry and organoleptic characteristics of flavor compounds, food colors and pigments, their formulations, modification, methods of incorporation and regulatory considerations.  Odd Spring. 

FAS 622 Advanced Livestock Judging - Two semester hours.  Advanced instruction and training for prospective livestock judging instructors.  In depth study of criteria involved in accurate evaluation, objective and fundamental measurements for assessing the breeding or market value of different livestock species.  Special emphasis is placed on proper procedures for giving oral reasons in comparing beef cattle, dairy cattle, horses, poultry, rabbits, sheep, goats and swine.  (Prerequisite:  FAS 355 or Consent of Instructor). 

FAS 623 Quantitative Genetics - Four semester hours.  Advanced principles of animal and plant breeding with emphasis on quantitative techniques used to augment genetic improvement.  Access to computer facilities and software programs, which simulate various selection strategies based upon biological genetic systems, will be available.  Spring. 

FAS 626 Ruminant Nutrition and Metabolism - Three semester hours.  Principles of ruminant digestion and metabolism with emphasis on nutritional factors in production and fundamentals of evaluative research.  Odd Spring. 

FAS 630 Advanced Reproductive Physiology of Vertebrates - Three semester hours.  This course presents topics associated with relevant advances in mammalian reproduction and biotechnology research.  Topics include:  physiology, morphology and development of gametes; transport and survival of gametes; fertilization, cleavage and implantation; experimental manipulation of embryos; the ovary-folliculogenesis, egg maturation and ovulation; the testes - spermatogenesis and androgen synthesis; maternal recognition and maintenance of pregnancy, induction of parturition and causes of abortion.  (Prerequisite:  FAS 430 or Consent of Instructor)  Even Spring. 

FAS 632 Monogastric Nutrition and Metabolism - Three semester hours.  Review of recent advances in monogastric nutrition and metabolism.  Discussion of nutrient requirements, balanced rations for livestock animals and balanced diets for human beings.  Student seminars on current topics in monogastric nutrition.  Fall. 

FAS 640 Product Development and Research - Three semester hours.   Art, science and technology of developing and marketing new food products through lecture and hands-on experience.  Each student will be responsible for submitting a proposed topic, literature review and proposed methodology for manufacturing the product.  Product models will be further tested.  Spring. 

FAS 642 Minerals and Vitamins in Foods and Nutrition - Three semester hours.  Chemical structures and analytical methods applicable to minerals and vitamins.  Role of minerals and vitamins in the food industry and their importance in nutrition and diseases.  Spring. 

FAS 644 Proteins in Foods and Nutrition - Three semester hours.  Supply of and the need for proteins in the world; characteristics of proteins from animal and plants; processing and preservation of protein foods; unconventional protein sources; assimilation and importance of proteins in nutrition including effects of toxic proteins, peptides and amino acids.  Odd Spring. 

FAS 646 Carbohydrates and Lipids in Foods and Nutrition - Three  semester hours.  Physical and chemical structures; analytical methods applicable to research; and reactions, interactions and metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids in food industry and diseases.  Spring. 

FAS 654 Food Microbiological Techniques - Three semester hours.    An advanced laboratory techniques course stressing analytical examination of microorganisms in food systems.  (Prerequisites:  FAS 503 and FAS 507)  Odd Spring. 

FAS 657 Analytical Techniques and Instrumentation - Three semester hours.  Review of modern techniques and instrumentation used in analyzing and characterizing food components.  Odd Spring. 

FAS 658 Food Microstructure - Three semester hours.   Microstructure of foods will be studied using scanning and transmission electron microscopy, light microscopy and fluorescence microscopy.  Effects of various processing methods in relation to the microstructure, identification and characterization of macromolecules and use of x-ray microanalyses in evaluating mineral composition of foods will also be covered.  Preparation methods for food samples for studying microstructure, interpretation of micrographs, and identification of food components will be covered.  Even Spring.

FAS 662 Food Rheology - Three semester hours.  Concepts, principles and application of rheology with focus on food and related biological materials.  Study of standard rheological methods and mathematical relationships describing major rheological variables.  Relationship between rheology and texture.  Principles and application of extrusion to food materials.  Fall. 

FAS 671 Introduction to Biotechnology - Three semester hours.    Provides an assessment of the accomplishments and future of biotechnology and genetic engineering and their application to human health, food, plants and animals.  The student will learn the basic principles of recombinant DNA technology, plant and animal biotechnology, Federal regulation of biotechnology, job categories and more.  Fall. 

FAS 676 Food Processing and Nutrients - Three semester hours.  Deals with those principles that relate processing procedures to the nutritional value of foods.  The effects of various production, processing, storage and packaging techniques on nutrient availability and retention, including nutrition labels on foods.  Even Spring. 

FAS 686 Advanced Topics in Animal Science - One to three semester hours.  Students may choose to study selected topics in animal breeding, animal nutrition, poultry production, animal physiology or dairy science.  A comprehensive study of the selected topic will be made.  Fall. 

FAS 697 Seminar - One semester hour.  A review and discussion of current literature in food science and animal science.  Students will prepare a presentation to students, colleagues and faculty.  Fall and Spring. 

FAS 698 Master's Report - Research Paper - One to four semester hours each. 

FAS 699 Research for Master of Science - One to six semester hours each. 

FAS 701 Advanced Food Microbiology - Three semester hours.  This course is open to advanced graduate students.  Current literature discussions will include:  newly emerging food pathogens and their control, food spoilage microbes and the utility of microorganisms in processing and preservation of food and their potential health benefits.  Even Summer. 

FAS 707-Advanced Food Chemistry - Three semester hours.  Recent advances in chemistry and biochemistry of foods including chemical reactions occurring during food processing, storage and utilization by man.  Odd Summer. 

FAS 711 Advanced Food Toxicology - Three semester hours.  Review of recent advances in food toxicology including methodology of evaluation of toxicants, detoxification mechanisms, biological activities and regulatory and legal considerations. Spring. 

FAS 736 Advanced Sensory Evaluation - Three semester hours.  An experimental study of the effects of variations in treatments on the quality of food, with an emphasis on panel training, product optimization and correlations of sensory data with objective measure of foods.  Activities in sensory laboratory are integral to instruction.  Even Summer. 

FAS 741 Advances in Nutrition - Three semester hours.  Discussion topics in this course will encompass advances in nutritional methodologies (heavy isotopes, non-invasive techniques), current aspects of impact of food processing on nutrition and health, and other topics of interest to the students.  Fall. 

FAS 761 Advanced Food Engineering - Three semester hours.   Thermodynamics, reaction kinetics and transport phenomena fundamentals in food rheology, heat transfer, freezing and melting processes, evaporation and dehydration, and other physical separation processes employed in food industry will be considered.  Odd Spring. 

FAS 771 Advanced Food Biotechnology - Three semester hours.   Provides an assessment of the accomplishments and future of food biotechnology.  The students will study how specific genes are isolated, cloned and used to transform plants, animals and micro-organisms to enhance or produce new ingredients and how fermentation technology, genetic engineering, bioprocessing, and monoclonal antibody production can be of benefit to human health and nutrition.  FDA regulations and social and ethical ramifications of biotechnology will be discussed.  Spring. 

FAS 772 Advanced Food Processing - Three semester hours.  Methods of food preservation and ingredient manufacture by radiation, heat processing, dehydration and chilling with emphasis on the unit operations including design and operation of the various food processing equipment used in the food industry will be studied.  Even Summer. 

FAS 796 Advanced Topics in Food Science - One to three semester hours.  Students may choose to study the selective topics in cereals, meats, food product development and formulation, food microbiology, sensory evaluation, dairy products technology or post-harvest physiology and processing of fruits and vegetables.  A comprehensive study of the selected topics will be made.  Fall. 

FAS 797 Seminar - One semester hour.  Food science faculty and Ph.D. students reviewing current developments in food science and related topics through visiting presenters and by reviews of current literature. 

FAS 799 Research for Ph.D. - Three to twelve semester hours each.  Individual research work towards dissertation requirements. Each semester.




          
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