205
Graduate Programs
205.2
Agricultural, Food, and Nutritional Science
205.2 Agricultural, Food, and Nutritional Science
Department of Agricultural, Food, and Nutritional Science
4-10 Agriculture/Forestry Centre
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2P5
E-mail: afns.grad@ualberta.ca
205.2.1 General Information
The Department of Agricultural, Food, and Nutritional Science offers thesis programs leading to Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees, as well as course-based programs leading to Master of Agriculture, Master of Engineering and Master of Science degrees.
The Department has active research programs in
Animal Science: Research on basic animal biology and livestock management with applications in the fields of animal physiology and metabolism, immunology, reproduction, animal housing, health and welfare, as well as genomics, bioinformatics and proteomics. | |
Plant Science: Studies in plant biology, applied ecology and agronomy within cereal, oilseed, forage and specialty crop production, incorporating plant biochemistry and proteomics, biotechnology, plant breeding and genomics, integrated pest management, as well as plant and field crop physiology. | |
Food Science and Technology: Food research encompassing chemistry, microbiology, physics, processing and sensory science with areas of excellence in cereal utilization, dairy science, food safety, functional foods and nutraceuticals, lipid utilization, and pre- and probiotics. | |
Nutrition and Metabolism: Clinical, community, metabolic and public health nutrition, as they relate to nutrition policy, infant and child health, and to chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and cancer. Animal based programs include livestock nutrition, feed evaluation and processing. | |
Bioresource and Food Engineering: Engineering applications related to bioresource utilization including food processing, bioproducts, bioenergy, biorefining, and agri-waste management. | |
Rangeland and Wildlife Resources: Examination of rangeland ecosystems, emphasizing applications in livestock or wildlife productivity, applied plant ecology, and rangeland or wildlife resources management. |
The Department research facilities at the Edmonton Research Station include: Crops and Land Resources, Alberta Poultry Research Centre, Swine Research and Technology Centre, Dairy Research and Technology Centre, Composting and Feedmill Facilities, the Laird McElroy Metabolism and Environmental Research Centre and Agri-Food Discovery Place. Additional Research Stations an hour drive from campus include the Ministik Wildlife Field Station and the Kinsella Research Ranch used for extensive beef cattle research.
On the main campus the Department is home to laboratory space and equipment including greenhouses, plant growth facilities, a Human Nutrition Research Unit, an Agri-Food Materials Science Lab, an Agriculture Genomics and Proteomics lab, a Food Microbiology lab, and extensive sensory and consumer science facilities.
Course requirements in graduate programs are based on the student's previous training and anticipated needs in the student's field of specialization. Students should contact the Department for further information concerning course requirements.
Entrance Requirements
The Department's minimum admission requirements for an MSc, MAg, or MEng degree are an undergraduate degree with a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.3 in the last two years of study at the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution, and a TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based) or 88 (internet-based) where applicable. For admission to the PhD program the minimum requirements are a grade point average of at least 3.5 in the last two years of study at the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution, and a TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based) or 88 (internet-based) where applicable (see §203.2.4).
Financial Assistance
A limited number of assistantships in teaching and research are available to highly-qualified candidates. Most students are either on scholarship or funded by research grants obtained by professors in the Department.
For further information on the graduate programs and financial assistance, prospective students should direct their inquiries to the Department Graduate Student Support Office.
205.2.2 The Degree of MSc
Program Requirements
The Department offers a thesis-based MSc and a course-based MSc.
For the thesis-based MSc, in addition to satisfying the general requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, candidates for the MSc degree must
Normally complete three | |
Complete AFNS 601 Seminar - students normally register for one term in year two and are required to present one seminar. | |
Prepare an acceptable thesis presenting results of the research conducted. Candidates will be examined orally on their thesis by committees formed according to Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research regulations. | |
Complete the minimum period of residence of two, four-month terms of full-time attendance at the University of Alberta. |
3 graduate courses as recommended by the supervisor and supervisory committee.No language other than English is required for the thesis-based MSc degree.
For the course-based MSc degree, candidates normally are expected to
Complete eight | |
Complete AFNS 601 Seminar - students normally register for one term in year two and are required to present one seminar. | |
Complete a research project equivalent to at least
|
Length of Program
For the thesis-based MSc, the time required to complete the program will vary according to the previous training of the applicant and the nature of the research undertaken. Normally two years of study and research are needed to complete the degree program. There is a four-year time limit.
The time required to complete the course-based MSc will vary; however, the time limit for program completion is six years from the date of initial registration.
205.2.3 The Degree of MAg
Program Requirements
For the MAg degree, candidates normally are expected to
Complete eight | |
Complete AFNS 601 Seminar - students normally register for one term in year two and are required to present one seminar. | |
Complete a research project equivalent to at least |
No language other than English is required for the MAg degree.
Length of Program
The time required to complete the MAg program will vary; however, the time limit for program completion is six years from the date of initial registration.
205.2.4 MBA/MAg Joint Program
The Faculty of Business and the Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences offer a program of joint study which permits students to earn both the MBA and MAg degrees after two calendar years of full-time study.
Refer to §205.9.4 under Business for program details.
205.2.5 The Degree of MEng
To qualify for the MEng degree, candidates normally are expected to
Possess a bachelor's degree in engineering. | |
Complete eight | |
Complete AFNS 601 Seminar - students normally register for one term in year two and are required to present one seminar. | |
Complete a research project equivalent to at least |
No language other than English is required for the MEng degree.
Length of Program
The minimum completion time required for the program with all required course prerequisites is two terms of full-time study. The maximum permitted time for completion is six years from the date of initial registration.
205.2.6 The Degree of PhD
Program Requirements
The PhD program normally consists of
Three | |
AFNS 601 - students normally register for one term in each of year one and three, and are required to present one seminar per term. | |
Preparation of an acceptable thesis presenting results of the research conducted. Candidates will be examined orally on their thesis by committees formed according to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research regulations. | |
A minimum residence requirement of four, four-month terms of full-time attendance at the University of Alberta. |
There is no language requirement other than English for the degree.
Outstanding MSc candidates in the Department can transfer to a PhD program after approval by the Department.
Length of Program
Normally four years are required to complete the PhD degree. There is a six-year time limit.
