a pair of gloved hands carefully work with a piece of laboratory equipment and food samples.
  • icon house

    Faculty

    • Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences
    • Faculty of Graduate Studies

  • icon award

    Degree

    • Master of Science

  • icon graduate

    Expected duration

    • 2 years

Program details

The Master of Science (Food Science) is a two-year thesis-based program.

Master of Science (Food Science)

Expected duration: 2 years

Tuition and fees: Program fees are assessed in the first two terms of study, followed by a continuing fee in the third and any subsequent terms. (refer to Graduate tuition and fees)

Coursework:

In addition to the minimum program requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, students must complete a minimum of 12 credit hours of coursework.

As part of the 12 credit hours required in the program, all students are required to take FOOD 7130: Food Science Seminar, plus 3 credit hours in HNSC or FOOD courses at the 7000 level. The remaining 6 credit hours can be from within or outside the department and must include at least 3 credit hours at the 7000 level or above.

Thesis:

Thesis projects may include basic, applied or practical research relating to the chemistry, physics and/or microbiology of food raw materials, processes and/or products. Thesis topics are assigned within an area of interest to the student and are pertinent to departmental research objectives.

Pre-master's

Expected duration: 1 year

Tuition and fees: The Pre-Master's program is composed of undergraduate courses and students are charged per course fees (refer to Graduate tuition and fees.)

Students with undergraduate course deficiencies may be admitted to the Pre-master’s program to complete the background requirements.

Course requirements are set by the Graduate Associate Head to address an individual’s academic deficiencies and gain eligibility to apply to the master’s program.

Sample course offerings

  • FOOD 7090: Unit Process Operations (3 credit hours)
  • FOOD 7150: Food Science Seminar (3 credit hours)
  • FOOD 7160: Food Carbohydrates (3 credit hours)
  • FOOD 7180: Food Science Cereal Grains (3 credit hours)
  • FOOD 7200: Advanced Food Microbiology (3 credit hours)
  • FOOD 7240: Topics in Food Science (3 credit hours)
  • FOOD 7260: Advanced Meat Science (3 credit hours)
  • FOOD 7270: Food Rheology (3 credit hours)

For full course descriptions, please visit the Academic Calendar.

Admission requirements

The following are minimum requirements to be considered for entry into the Master of Science (Food Science) program. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

To be considered for admission to the Master of Science (Food Science) program, you must have a minimum of:

  • A 4-year undergraduate degree in Human Nutritional Science, Food Science or an equivalent.
  • A secured thesis advisor

Decisions on equivalent degrees or courses required to bring the student's background up to the equivalent of a Human Nutritional Sciences or Food Sciences degree will be made by the Food and Human Nutritional Sciences Graduate Studies Committee.

In addition to the admission requirements described here, all applicants must meet the minimum admission and English language proficiency requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

How to apply

The Master of Science (Food Science) program has three application deadlines per year. Applications must be completed online and include several parts:

  • $100 application fee (non-refundable)
  • Unofficial copies of transcripts
  • Curriculum vitae/resume
  • Statement of intent
  • Two letters of recommendation (must be requested from within the application)
  • Proof of English Language Proficiency if required

Please read the Faculty of Graduate Studies online application instructions before beginning your application.

Please note: Students must enter the name of their preferred advisor at time of application. For more information on applying to graduate studies in Food Science, please contact the Graduate Program Assistant.

Application deadlines

Applications open up to 18 months prior to start term.

Canadian and US applicants

Term Annual application deadlines
Fall (September) June 1
Winter (January) October 1
Summer (May) February 1

International applicants

Term Annual application deadlines
Fall (September) February 1
Winter (January) June 1
Summer (May) October 1

Applicants must submit their online application with supporting documentation and application fee by the deadline date indicated.

Start or continue your application

Learn more

Contact us

Admission and application inquiries

Faculty of Graduate Studies
Room 500 UMSU University Centre
65 Chancellors Circle
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada

graduate.admissions@umanitoba.ca
Phone: 204-474-9377

Monday to Friday
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Program inquiries

Department of Food and Human Nutritional Sciences
Room 209 Human Ecology Building
35 Chancellors Circle
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2

fhns.gradprogram@umanitoba.ca
Phone: 204-474-6411
Fax: 204-474-7593