Program Overview
The two-year thesis-based M.S. program provides comprehensive research training designed to prepare students for scientific careers or entry into competitive Ph.D. programs. Students engage deeply in laboratory research under close faculty mentorship, developing strong technical skills, critical thinking abilities, and experience in experimental design and data analysis.
Many students contribute to peer-reviewed publications, present at scientific conferences, and collaborate across research groups. The program is an excellent foundation for careers in academia, government research agencies, and the food industry.
- General Requirements
- Course Requirements
- Thesis & Defense
- Continuous Enrollment
- Resources & Contacts
graduate credits minimum
max 9 per semester
from prior B.S. or M.S.
A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for graduation. Transfer credits should be submitted during the first semester.
- Category 1: Food Science Electives
At least 6 credits of Food Science courses at the 600 or 700 level, excluding Thesis and Independent Study. One must be Research Methods (FS790STA), offered every Spring.
- Category 2: Graduate Seminar
One credit of Graduate Seminar (FS791A) taken for a letter grade.
- Category 3: Core Courses
Food Chemistry (FS541, FS542) or Food Analysis (FS581); Food Microbiology (FS567) or Food Quality and Safety Control (FS521); Food Processing (FS561) or Elements of Food Process Engineering (FS575). Students who completed these as undergraduates need not repeat them.
Additional options: One course (3–4 credits, 400-level or above) may be from outside the Department. Teaching Experience (FS796T) may be taken as an extra seminar with SAT grade toward degree requirements (20 course credits).
- Advisor sends email to GPD requesting appointment of thesis committee (at least two faculty, including the advisor) at least one month before the final defense.
- Defense notification is sent to all department members two days prior to the scheduled defense.
- Advisor emails GPD with defense results, date passed, and names of committee members.
- Use DocuSign to obtain committee signatures for the signature page; submit to the Graduate School.
- Submit the master's degree eligibility form through the SPIRE system for Kuali workflow approval.
- File thesis electronically to ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst.
Students who take fewer than 9 credits in a semester must first register for GRADSCH 999 and then request an academic load override by emailing @email. This must be done at the beginning of each applicable semester. Transfer credits should be submitted during the first semester.
Email @email to request an M.S. with thesis checklist