Agricultural, Food, and Nutritional Science [Graduate]

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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Bioresource and Food Engineering: Engineering applications related to bioresource utilization including food processing, bioproducts, bioenergy, biorefining, and agri-waste management.
6. 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 English Language Requirement ).

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.

Graduate Program Requirements

• The Degree of MSc
   
• The Degree of MAg
   
• MBA/MAg Joint Program
   
• The Degree of MEng
   
• The Degree of PhD