Doctor of Philosophy in Food Science

Food scientists integrate and apply fundamental knowledge from multiple disciplines to ensure a safe, nutritious, sustainable and high quality food supply, and to establish scientifically sound principles that guide policy and regulations pertaining to food on a global scale.

Since its inception in 1969, the Food Science Program at UBC has been a leader in providing opportunities for advanced study and research in Food Chemistry and Biochemistry, Process Science, Microbiology, Safety and Toxicology, Biotechnology, Quality Evaluation and Wine Biotechnology. Ongoing research areas include the study of nutraceuticals and bioactive compounds derived from food, biophotonic, nano-biosensing and nano-optical imaging, carbohydrate chemistry and enzymology, molecular biology and metabolic engineering of wine yeasts, farm-to-fork food safety systems, stress response mechanisms of foodborne pathogens, structure-function relationships of food and non-food related enzymes.

Students admitted to the Ph.D. degree program will normally possess a M.Sc. degree in Food Science or a related area, with clear evidence of research ability or potential. Transfer from the M.Sc. to the Ph.D. program is permitted under regulations set forth by the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

English Language Proficiency Requirement

Acceptable English language proficiency tests for applicants to graduate studies are: TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): 90 overall with a minimum score of 22 in Reading & Listening and a minimum score of 21 in Writing & Speaking (Internet version); minimum score of 22 in Reading & Listening and a minimum score of 21 in Writing (paper version); or IELTS (International English Language Testing Service): minimum overall band score of 6.5, with no individual component score less than 6.0; or MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery): minimum overall score of 85, with a final score of 3 in the speaking test.