Master of Science 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.

The following subjects are prerequisites for the M. Sc. program and normally are taken before entering the program. Should a student have deficiencies in any of these areas, it may be possible to make up these deficiencies during the M.Sc. program. However, only up to 6 credits of Food Science core courses may be counted as credit towards the MSc requirements.

Non Food Science Courses:
Organic Chemistry - 2 courses
Biochemistry - 2 courses
Calculus - 1 course
Physics - 2 courses
Statistics - 1 course
Microbiology - 2 courses

And in the area of Food Science: Four courses (12 credits) from the following six core courses.

Food Process Science (FNH 309)
Food Chemistry I (FNH 301)
Food Analysis (FNH 302)
Food Laws, Regulations, & Quality Assurance (FNH 403)
Micro Organisms in Food Systems (FNH 313)
Principles in Food Engineering (FNH 300)

English Language Proficiency Requirement

Applicants from a university outside Canada at which English is not the primary language of instruction must present evidence of competency to pursue studies in the English language prior to being extended an offer of admission. 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 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.