University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa | PhD Program in Nutritional Sciences

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Student Admissions

PhD in Nutritional Sciences Program Admissions Requirement

The PhD in Nutritional Sciences Program has three different tracks for perspective students; Animal Sciences, Food Science, and Human Nutrition.

Applicants to the PhD in Nutritional Sciences Program should have a BS or MS degree in nutrition, food science, animal science, or a closely related biological science, relative to the program track they are interested in pursuing.

Highly motivated students with other degrees may be considered if they have excellent academic backgrounds and demonstrated strength in the biological sciences. If admitted without sufficient preparation in these areas, these prerequisites must be made up early in the student’s program. The admissions committee will determine course deficiencies in an applicant’s background.

Course Requirements: Students should have a background that contains track-specific prerequisite knowledge:

Track 1: Human Nutrition- Studies related to human nutrition needs for individuals and populations

  • Prerequisites: anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry, biochemistry, nutrition, math/statistics

Track 2: Food Science- Studies including food engineering, food microbiology and food chemistry

  • Prerequisites: biochemistry, food microbiology, food processing, food chemistry, math/statistics

Track 3: Animal Sciences- Studies related to nutrition, metabolism, endocrinology, physiology of animals, including livestock and aquatic animals

  • Prerequisites: anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry, biochemistry, nutrition, math/statistics

Minimum grade point average of 3.4 out of 4.0 for applicants with a BS, and 3.6 out of 4.0 for applicants with a MS or other advanced degree

GRE® scores on the verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning and analytic writing sections should each be greater than the 50th percentile. GRE scores are valid for five years from the test date.

TOEFL® score of 600 on the paper-based test or 250 on the computer-based test or a minimum TOEFL iBT® score of 100. ETS reports scores for two years after the test date.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score is accepted. The minimum required IELTS score is 7.0. IELTS scores have a recommended two year validity period.

The Educational Testing Service (ETS) institutional code for University of Hawai‘i at Manoa is 4867. A department code is not necessary.

Completed Graduate Admissions Application – go to Apply Here.

Three letters of recommendation from people who know your academic strengths and can comment on your suitability for graduate studies. Letters of recommendation should be requested through the Graduate Application Supplemental Documents Upload Website https://documentupload.manoa.hawaii.edu/upload/#/login.

Original transcripts for academic institutions you have attended (even if you didn’t receive a degree). Transcripts should be mailed directly to the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Office of Graduate Education at the address below. Do not send original transcripts to the graduate chair.

Graduate Division  
2540 Maile Way
Spalding Hall 354 
Honolulu, HI 96822

A personal resume.

A statement of purpose (<1000 words) that clearly describes:
(1) Why are you interested in nutrition?
(2) What type of nutrition research do you want to do?
(3) Why do you want to attend the University of Hawai‘i to achieve your goals?
You are also encouraged to provide other information you feel will be valuable for the review of your application.

The resume and personal statemement should be electronically uploaded using the Graduate Application Supplemental Documents Upload Website https://documentupload.manoa.hawaii.edu/upload/#/login.  

For all other inquires and questions please email: Nutrphd@hawaii.edu

All documents must be received by the Fall Admissions (February 1) or Spring Admissions (September 1) deadline.

Pathway to degree completion *FOR STUDENTS ADMITTED FALL 2020 OR LATER *

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Contact

Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences
College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources
1955 East-West Road,
Ag Sci 216
Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96822
Phone: (808) 956-7095
Fax: (808) 956-4024
Email: nutrphd@hawaii.edu

UH Graduate Division

Address: 2540 Maile Way Spalding 354 Honolulu, HI 96822 Phone: (808) 956-8544 Email: gradss@hawaii.edu Website: https://manoa.hawaii.edu/graduate/

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