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Apr 16, 2024
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University of Alberta Calendar 2023-2024 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Master of Science (Agricultural, Food, and Nutritional Science)
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Program Requirements
The Department offers a thesis-based MSc and a course-based MSc. In addition to the general course-based MSc, two specializations are available:
- Food Safety and Quality. The specialization in Food Safety and Quality is structured to deliver competencies that are required for positions in food safety and quality assurance in the food industry. Courses are related to assessment, detection and mitigation to risks pertaining to food safety; development and use of tools to determine food quality and to improve food quality through selection and improvement of raw materials, processing, and packaging. The requirements for the specialization in Food Safety and Quality can be completed in one calendar year.
- Meat Quality. The specialization in Meat Quality is structured to deliver competencies required for positions in the meat industry. Courses are related to meat science, assessment, detection and mitigation of risks pertaining to meat safety, methods to determine eating quality through selection and improvement of raw materials, processing and packaging, communication skills, and animal production. The requirements for the specialization in Meat Quality be completed in one calendar year.
Thesis-based MSc
Students are required to complete a minimum of 10 units in graduate-level coursework, including 9 units in required courses, a 1-unit seminar course and a non-credit lab course. Completion of a thesis is also required.
All thesis-based MSc students must declare a specialization.
Outstanding thesis-based MSc candidates can request a change of program category to a PhD program, subject to approval by the Department.
Required Courses
- Three 3-unit graduate-level courses that will be recommended by the supervisor and supervisory committee.
- Course requirements are based on the student’s previous training and anticipated needs in the student’s field of specialization.
Seminar Course
- AFNS 601 – Seminar. Students are required to present one seminar and maintain at least 75% attendance
Required Lab course
- Students are required to complete Lab Skills 101 in the first term of their program.
- Exemption may be requested with support of the supervisor based on evidence of previous lab training.
Thesis
- Registration in 900-level THES. Students are required to prepare an acceptable thesis presenting results of the research conducted. They must present a thesis seminar and successfully pass the oral exam.
Academic Standing Requirement
Students in the thesis-based MSc program are required to maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 throughout the course of the program.
Failure to maintain the required cumulative GPA will normally result in a recommendation by the Associate Chair – Graduate Program to FGSR that the student be placed on academic probation or required to withdraw.
General Course-based MSc
Students are required to complete a minimum of 28 units in graduate-level coursework, including 24 units in required courses, a 1-unit seminar course, and a 3-unit capping project.
Required Courses
- Courses will be recommended by the supervisor and supervisory committee.
- Course requirements are based on the student’s previous training and anticipated needs in the student’s area of focus.
Seminar Course
- AFNS 601 – Seminar. Students are required to present one seminar and maintain at least 75% attendance.
Capping Project
- AFNS 900 – Directed Research Project. Course-based MSc students who do not opt for a Specialization are required to present a formal public seminar (outlining their project paper) and successfully complete an oral examination by the Supervisor plus one additional faculty member.
Additional Course Requirements for the Specialization in Food Safety and Quality
Students who opt for a specialization in Food Safety and Quality must meet the requirements listed in the general MSc program above as well as the specialization-specific requirements as outlined below.
Courses can be adjusted by the Specialization Committee based on the student’s previous training.
Academic advice for students in the specialization in Food Safety and Quality is provided by the Specialization Committee.
Required Courses (24 units)
All of the following 3-unit courses
and 6 units selected from the following 3-unit courses
Capping Project
Instead of AFNS 900, students who opt for a Course-based MSc with Specialization in Food Safety and Quality must select 3 units from either:
Additional Course Requirements for the Specialization in Meat Quality
Students who opt for a specialization in Meat Quality must meet the requirements listed in the general MSc program above as well as the specialization-specific requirements as outlined below.
Courses can be adjusted by the Specialization Committee based on the student’s previous training.
Academic advice for students in the specialization in Meat Quality is provided by the Specialization Committee.
Required Courses (24 units)
All of the following 3-unit courses
and 6 units selected from the following 3-unit courses
Capping Project
Instead of AFNS 900, students who opt for a Course-based MSc with Specialization in Meat Quality must select 3 units from either:
Residence Requirement
For the thesis-based MSc the minimum period of residence is two, four-month terms of full-time attendance at the University of Alberta. There is no residence requirement for the course-based MSc.
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.
The time required to complete the course-based MSc will vary; the program can be completed in two years. Full-time students in course-based MSc specializations can complete the programs within 12 calendar months, and part-time students will normally complete within three years. Students aiming to complete the coursebased MSc specializations in one academic year should take four 3-unit courses in each of the fall and winter semesters.
The maximum time to complete the thesis-based MSc program as set by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research is four years.
The maximum time to complete the course-based MSc program as set by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research is six years.
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