Checklist for Master’s degree (with thesis) - Graduate Handbook

• Students must get approval from your advisor on course selection
• A total of 30 graduate course credits are required
• Minimum GPA (final): 3.0

• Minimum 6 to a maximum of 10 thesis credits
• Maximum 9 thesis credits per semester
• Register for thesis credits every semester (16 maximum credits, class + thesis credits per semester) until all are taken

• At least 6 credits of Food Science courses at the 600 or 700 level are required
• Must include Research Methods (FS797R)
• Excluding Thesis, Independent Study, or Journal Club.

1 credit of seminar (FS791A) for letter grade

• Select one course in each area (total 9 credits)
  ✓ Food Chemistry (FS541, 542, or Food Analysis 581)
  ✓ Food Microbiology (FS567) or Food Quality and Safety Control (FS521)
  ✓ Food Processing (FS561) or Elements of Food Process Engineering (FS575)
  • Students who took the above courses (or equivalent) do not repeat but instead enroll in other 500-level or above courses.
• One course (3 or 4 credits, 400- level or above) can be from courses outside the Department. Note, the 400- level course must be outside the Department.
• Students can take Teaching Experience (FS796T), an additional seminar with SAT (satisfactory grade, no presentation), or 1 credit journal club (either letter grade or SAT, maximum 2 credits can be taken) toward their degree requirements (20 credits course credits).

• Maximum 6 qualifying credits can be transferred from a BS degree or another MS degree, if they were not used for the requirements of that degree. To transfer, you will need to submit a form to the Graduate School. Forms can be found at: https://www.umass.edu/graduate/policies/forms-documents
• For students completing 5-year BS/MS program (Accelerated Masters), an additional 6 qualifying credits can be transferred from the BS degree (double counted). Please submit a form for ‘Transfer credits, Accelerated Masters’ to the Graduate School.
• Transfer credits should be done in the 1st semester

Students who take less than 9 credits in a semester or are in continuous enrollment (GRADSCH999) must request an override for full-time status by e-mailing Moriah Fahey (mafahey@umass.edu). This needs to be done at the beginning of each semester.

Student requests advisor to send e-mail to GPD requesting the appointment of thesis committee (at least 2 faculty members including the advisor) at least one month before defense.

Student requests advisor to send e-mail to GPD for results of defense, date passed, and committee names.