The Ph.D. program in Nutritional Sciences allows extensive research and study in any one of our department’s specialized program areas. Doctoral students are provided with customized training in research methodologies; effective grant writing; dissemination of research findings at scientific conferences and in published journals and books; teaching students and the public in academic and community settings; and making scholarly contributions to the profession and society. Careers for Nutritional Sciences students completing a Ph.D. include positions as university faculty, government agency experts and scientists in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
Graduate Coordinator: Alex Anderson, Professor fianko@uga.edu Graduate Coordinator Assistant: Lora Shue ldshue@uga.edu 706.542.4869 www.fcs.uga.edu/fdn
46 Hours
Application submitted through UGA Graduate School to include the following: - 3 letters of recommendation - CV - Statement of purpose that emphasizes research interests and career goals - Unofficial transcript(s) - International students – If applicable per country of origin, TOEFL iBT score of 90 with a minimum score of 20 in each of the four exam sub-sections or IETLS overall band of 6.5 with no single band (score)below 6.0. - Agreement from faculty member to be major professor
Preference for Admission: - Degree in Nutritional Sciences/Dietetics, Food Science, Biology, Zoology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Nursing, Public Health, or other closely related health science - The following undergraduate courses with grades of “B” or better on your transcript: 2 semesters of inorganic (general) chemistry, 1 semester of organic chemistry, 1 semester of biochemistry, and 1 semester of physiology - Minimum GPA of 3.0 on 4.0 scale - Work or volunteer experience in at least one of the following: laboratory research, clinical research, food industry, nutrition education, health promotion, or other areas related to health, nutrition, or food science
| NUTR 4100/6100 * | Micronutrient Nutrition | 3 |
| NUTR 6400 | Advanced Macronutrients | 3 |
| NUTR 8560 | Proposal Writing | 3 |
| NUTR 8900 | Seminar in Nutritional Sciences | 1-6 |
| NUTR 9300 | Doctoral Dissertation | 1-12 |
Physiology/Biochemistry/Cell Biology (3 hours) preapproved courses listed in the Graduate Handbook
STAT courses (6 hours) preapproved courses listed in the Graduate Handbook
*May be substituted with another course if similar course was taken in undergrad; needs Graduate Coordinator approval
Choose 6 credit hour(s) from the following:
| FDST(NUTR) 8150 | Food and Nutritional Biochemistry | 3 |
| KINS(NUTR) 4700/6700 | Weight Management Coaching | 3 |
| NUTR 4050/6050 | Optimal Nutrition for the Life Span | 3 |
| NUTR 4070/6070 | Research Methodology in Human Foods and Nutrition | 2 |
| NUTR(KINS) 4220E/6220E | Nutrition in Physical Activity, Exercise, and Sport | 3 |
| NUTR 6240E | Nutrition and Obesity Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| NUTR 4500/6500 | Medical Nutrition Therapy I | 3 |
| NUTR 4510/6510 | Nutrition Related to the Human Life Cycle | 3 |
| NUTR 4520/6520 | Clinical Nutrition Interventions | 2 |
| NUTR 4530/6530 | Medical Nutrition Therapy II | 4 |
| NUTR 4540/6540 | Public Health Nutrition | 3 |
| NUTR 6560E | Nutrition, Health, and Aging | 3 |
| NUTR 4570/6570 | Inherited Metabolic Disorders | 3 |
| NUTR 4590/6590 | Metabolism and Physiology of Energy Balance and Obesity | 3 |
| NUTR 4600E/6600E | Food and Nutrition Policy | 2 |
| NUTR 4610/6610 | Foodservice Procurement and Financial Management | 1 |
| NUTR 6620E | Management of Foodservice Organizations | 2 |
| NUTR 4630/6630 | Cultural Aspects of Foods and Nutrition | 3 |
| NUTR 4640E/6640E | Food Sanitation and Safety | 3 |
| NUTR 4645/6645-4645L/6645L | Functional and Nutritional Properties of Foods | 2 |
| NUTR(FDST) 4647/6647-4647L/6647L | Sensory Evaluation of Food | 3 |
| NUTR 4650/6650-4650L/6650L | Experimental Study of Food | 3 |
| NUTR 4660S/6660S | Nutrition Education Methods | 3 |
| NUTR 6665E | Childhood and Adolescent Nutrition | 3 |
| NUTR 6670E | Nutrition Intervention | 3 |
| NUTR 6800E | Nutrition and Pharmacotherapy for Disease Management | 3 |
| NUTR(EPID) 5040/7040 | Nutritional Epidemiology | 3 |
| NUTR 5710/7710 | Study Tour in Nutritional Sciences | 1-12 |
| NUTR(KINS) 7940 | Nutrition, Physical Activity, Exercise, and Sport Internship | 3-9 |
| NUTR(KINS) 8230 | Advanced Nutrition in Physical Activity, Exercise, and Sport | 3 |
| NUTR 8240 | Nutrition and Neuroscience | 3 |
| NUTR 8530 | Nutrition and Disease Processes I | 3 |
| NUTR 8550 | Nutrition and Disease Processes II | 3 |
| NUTR(KINS)(HPAM)(HPRB)(ECHD) 8595 | Survey of Obesity and Weight Management | 1 |
Choose 6 credit hour(s) from the following:
Elective courses at the 6000, 7000, or 8000-level
Area of Emphasis in Nutrition for Sport and Exercise
Choose 1 course(s) from the following:
| NUTR(KINS) 4220E/6220E | Nutrition in Physical Activity, Exercise, and Sport | 3 |
| NUTR(KINS) 8230 | Advanced Nutrition in Physical Activity, Exercise, and Sport | 3 |
Choose 1 course(s) from the following:
| KINS 4630/6630 | Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| AND KINS 4630L/6630L | Exercise Physiology Laboratory | 1 |
| KINS 4690/6690 | Neuromuscular Physiology | 3 |
Choose 8 credit hour(s) from the following:
| KINS 4300/6300 | Exercise Epidemiology | 3 |
| KINS 4320/6320 | Habitual Movement and Successful Aging | 3 |
| KINS 4690/6690 | Neuromuscular Physiology | 3 |
| KINS(NUTR) 4700/6700 | Weight Management Coaching | 3 |
| KINS 7330-7330L | Metabolic and Cardiorespiratory Aspects of Exercise | 4 |
| KINS 7340 | Exercise Psychology | 3 |
| KINS 8300 | Exercise, Obesity, and Cardiometabolic Disorders | 3 |
| NUTR 4070/6070 | Research Methodology in Human Foods and Nutrition | 2 |
| NUTR 6230E | Current Issues in Sports Nutrition | 3 |
| NUTR 4560/6560 | Nutrition, Health, and Aging | 3 |
| NUTR(KINS) 7940 | Nutrition, Physical Activity, Exercise, and Sport Internship | 3-9 |
| NUTR 8530 | Nutrition and Disease Processes I | 3 |
| VPHY(KINS) 5690/7690 | Skeletal Muscle and Mitochondria Physiology | 3 |
Core requirement course options not taken to fulfill the core
| GRSC 7001 | GradFIRST: First-year Research and Scholarship Training Seminar | 1 |
| GRSC 7770 * | Graduate Teaching Seminar | 1-3 |
At least 16 hours of coursework and/or electives must be 8000/9000-level, excluding 9000, 9010, or 9300. If student does not have Master’s degree, they must take an additional 4 hours of 8000/9000-level courses unless supporting area courses are graduate level only. *1-3 hours (for those on teaching assistantship)
Select additional courses, as needed, in consultation with an advisor to meet the minimum number of required credit hours for this program.
Graduates of the Ph.D. program have gone on to postdoctoral positions, as well as careers in research, academia, industry, government, hospitals, long-term care, public health, schools, and wellness programs. Dietetic Intern graduates are eligible to take the Registration Exam for Registered Dieticians.
Various scholarships are available from the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, as well as the Department of Nutritional Sciences. External scholarships are also available.
Students have several opportunities for Study Away excursions within the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, including trips to South Africa, London, Peru, Spain France and Belgium, Greece, Ghana, Italy, South Korea, and Japan.
The Department of Nutritional Sciences offers a combined Ph.D./Dietetic Internship program. While completing the Ph.D. program, students will complete the necessary requirements over the course of the 2 years in the program to sit for the Registration Exam to become a Registered Dietician. The program is accredited by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics. Students are also encouraged to seek outside internships that will facilitate their professional development.
Students are highly encouraged to present their research findings at various conferences and symposia.
The Graduate Student Organization (GSO) represents the graduate students in the department. They are responsible for coordinating weekly seminar lunches, mentoring and networking events, and social gatherings.
Other programs in Nutritional Sciences include: - Master’s Non-Thesis - Master’s Non-Thesis Online, Community Nutrition Emphasis - Master’s Thesis - School Nutrition Director Certificate - Obesity Certificate The M.S. Thesis and Ph.D. programs can be combined with the Dietetic Internship Program. Each program can be combined with a didactic program in dietetics. There is also an option to include an area of emphasis in Nutrition for Sport and Exercise.