The doctoral program in nutrition allows emphasis in the broad fields of basic, molecular nutrition or applied human nutrition. For instance, Ph.D. candidates in basic nutrition may perform research in the areas of nutritional biochemistry, physiology, immunology, and/or molecular biology, while applied nutrition candidates may be interested in clinical, community or international nutrition research. Students are required to complete the core curriculum in nutrition which includes courses in nutrition, biochemistry, physiology, and/or epidemiology and biostatistics.
In the fall of the first year, the students perform laboratory rotations and start their graduate coursework. The laboratory rotations provide an opportunity to evaluate suitable laboratory environments for their graduate research. It is anticipated that most students have decided on a research laboratory by the start of the second semester.
During the second and third semesters, students provide teaching assistance to undergraduate students to gain teaching skills. However, the main focus is on getting a research project started, with the assistance of the thesis advisor and three additional faculty, who form the thesis committee. This period is also the time when students will prepare for their preliminary examination, to be taken by fall of the third year.
Our graduate program in nutrition utilizes a collaborative approach, featuring faculty experts from a number of departments at Texas A&M. Our program offers students the opportunity for advanced studies in human nutrition with emphasis in the broad fields of basic, molecular nutrition or applied human nutrition. Students can gain expertise in the areas of nutritional biochemistry, physiology, immunology, and/or molecular biology, while applied nutrition candidates may be interested in clinical, community or international nutrition research.
