California State University, Fresno
General Catalog
Food Science - Degrees

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for California State University, Fresno.

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Department of
Food Science and Nutrition

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Bachelor of Science Degree Requirements
Food and Nutritional Sciences Major

Major requirements (41-54 units)

Options (select one)

---Culinology (54 units)
CULG 50, 55, 152; FSC 1, 41, 100, 112, 120, 125, 151, 178, 193 (3 units), 199; FSM 60, 131, 133, 134, 193 (3 units)

---Dietetics and Food Administration (35 units)
CULG 50, 152; FSC 1; FSM 60, 131; NUTR 54, 61, 149, 153, 160, 165, 166S, 170

Career Specialty (12 units)
In consultation with assigned faculty adviser, each student is required to select one area of electives to match his or her career goals. A minimum of 3 of the 12 career specialty units must be upper-division in the Department of Food Science and Nutrition. Career specialties include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Foodservice Management: FSM 133, 134; additional courses approved by adviser
  • Community Nutrition, Health, and Wellness: NUTR 147; PH 100, 112, 114, 115, 128; additional courses approved by adviser
  • Registered Dietition: FSM 133, 134; NUTR 156, 157, 175 (Note: This career specialty requires admission to the Certificate of Special Study - Dietetics in addition to completing the Dietetics and Food Administration Option of The B.S. in Food and Nutritional Sciences; 12 units from the certificate can be used to fulfill the 12 units required for a career specialty. See catalog copy for more information.)



---Food Science (42 units)
Core (13 units): FSC 1, 41, 178; NUTR 54

Career Specialities (31 units)


Additional requirements (4-25 units)
Culinology (15 units)*
CHEM 1A, 8, 150; BIOL 20; MATH 11

Dietetics and Food Administration (22 units)**
CHEM 3A, 8, 150; BIOL 20; BIOL 65; PSYCH 10; COUN 174; approved statistics course

Food Science (7-25 units)
General Food Science (25 units)***: CHEM 1A, 1B, 8, 150; MATH 11, 75; BIOL 20; PHYS 2A
Food Agribusiness Career Specialty (4 units): FSC 141 or 142
Food Plant Operation and Management Career Specialty (14 units)***: CHEM 1A; MATH 11, 75; BIOL 20; PHYS 2A

Elective Units
General Food Science (0 units)
Food Agribusiness Career Specialty (choose 21 units from the following): AGBS 5, 28, 100, 124, 164; ENTR 81, 151, 161, 163, 165; CULG 55, 152; FSC 112, 115, 120, 125, 144
Food Plant Operation and Management Career Specialty (choose 14 units from the following): IT 104, 107, 114, 115, 117, 131, 148, 190

General Education requirements (51 units)
(Includes 12 upper-division units, to be taken no sooner than the term in which 60 units of coursework are completed.)

Total units (120)

__________

* This total indicates that 3 units for CHEM 1A are being used to satisfy the General Education requirement of 51 units.

** This total indicates that 6 units for CHEM 3A and PSYCH 10 are being used to satisfy the General Education requirement of 51 units.

*** This total indicates that 6 units for MATH 75 and PHYS 2A or CHEM 1A are being used to satisfy the General Education requirement of 51 units.


Advising Notes

  1. Students should contact the program coordinator to schedule an academic advising appointment each semester. Since many courses are sequential in nature, it is important for new, transfer, or returning students to contact the program coordinator one semester prior to intended enrollment.
  2. CR/NC grading is not permitted for courses included in the major and additional requirements, except work experience (FSC 193; FSM 193; and NUTR 193).
  3. Grade Policy - all courses listed under major and additional requirements require a grade of C or better.
  4. General Education courses designated as required by the department are prerequisite to many courses in the program of study.
  5. The upper-division writing skills requirement can be met by passing the university upper-division writing examination or by passing an approved upper-division writing skills course. One unit of credit (in ENGL 100W) may be earned for passing the examination if requested by the student; by obtaining a letter grade of C or higher in an approved course (e.g., PLANT 110W) the student meets the university writing skills requirement.

 

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Certificate in Dietetics. The Certificate in Dietetics is designed to prepare students to pursue a career as a registered dietitian. To qualify for the national examination to become a registered dietitian, students must earn the following: (1) bachelor's degree from a U.S. regionally accredited university or college, or international equivalent, (2) verification statement from a Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) accredited didactic program in dietetics (DPD), and (3) verification statement from a CADE accredited dietetic internship (DI).

The Dietetics and Food Administration Option when taken with the Certificate in Dietetics is accredited by the CADE as a DPD. Students completing both programs will receive a verification statement and will be eligible to apply for an accredited dietetic internship.

Currently the supply of positions in dietetic internship programs is less than the demand by DPD graduates. The DI selection process is highly competitive and favors students who have demonstrated a well-rounded preparation as evidenced by GPA, work experience, volunteer experience, leadership, and career potential. Not all students applying to a DI will be placed.

Admission requirements. Candidates for the Certificate in Dietetics will be evaluated using the following criteria: grade point average of 3.0 or higher in all attempted college coursework, statement of professional goals, and a minimum of 240 hours of work or volunteer experience in dietetics.

Program Requirements
FSM 133 (3 units)
FSM 134 (3 units)
NUTR 156 (3 units)
NUTR 157 (3 units)
NUTR 175 (1 unit)
Total units (13 units)

 

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Food and Nutritional Sciences Minor

The Minor in Food and Nutritional Sciences consists of 21 units, of which 9 must be upper-division. All courses must be selected in consultation with the department chair. The minor program must be certified by the department chair. The certified minor program will be filed with the Office of Evaluations.

Note: The Food and Nutritional Sciences Minor also requires a 2.0 GPA and 6 upper-division units in residence.

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Graduate Programs

The Master of Science in Food and Nutritional Sciences is a 30-unit degree program designed to provide the student with professional competence in the technology and science of food and nutrition-related disciplines: food science and nutrition.

Full-time graduate students may earn the degree within two years when working closely with an adviser. To accommodate part-time students, graduate courses are offered in the late afternoon or evenings.

Admission Materials. To be considered for admission to the graduate program, the candidate must submit the following materials: evidence of a baccalaureate degree in food science, nutrition, agricultural chemistry, or a related area from an accredited institution; official transcripts of all college work; official scores from the Graduate Record Examination Aptitude Test (GRE); a university application; three letters of reference from employers or faculty at the university most recently attended; and a statement of 500 words or less indicating reasons for pursuing a master's degree.

Admission Criteria. Candidates for admission will be evaluated using the following criteria: undergraduate coursework; grade point average of 3.0 or better (last 60 semester units); GRE scores (480V/580Q equivalent to the 50th percentile), 500-word or less statement of professional goals; and letters of reference. Admission by the university does not imply acceptance in the Master of Science in Food and Nutritional Sciences program. Applicants whose preparatory education was in a language other than English must earn a minimum TOEFL score of 550 and a minimum score of 4 on the Test of Written English (TWE).

Classified standing will be granted to students who meet all of the admission criteria.

Conditional classified standing may be granted to applicants with a 2.75 to 2.99 GPA (last 60 semester units) and/or those required to complete prerequisite coursework. Prerequisite coursework is not included in the 30-unit master's program. Students must request classified standing in the program by the semester in which a minimum of 10 units to be used toward the degree are completed.

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Master of Science Program
Food and Nutritional Sciences

Mission. The Master of Science in Food and Nutritional Sciences at California State University, Fresno provides for development of advanced level knowledge, development of research abilities, and the mentoring of future leaders.

Outcomes. The program graduates will be able to (a) use knowledge and critical thinking skills to identify innovative solutions to problems, (b) communicate research findings through professional presentations and publications, (c) advance their careers, and (d) take an active role in their profession.

This program provides a graduate-level proficiency in food science or nutrition. The degree is applicable to specializations in food research, production, processing, chemistry, and microbiology; and dietetics, nutrition, nutrition education, and food service systems management.

Prerequisite Courses. The Master of Science in Food and Nutritional Sciences assumes preparation equivalent to a California State University, Fresno undergraduate major in food science, dairy science, nutrition, dietetics and food administration, or related areas.

Students with undergraduate degrees in other fields or from other institutions who need to make up course deficiencies should consult with the graduate coordinator. The following specific prerequisite foundation courses, or their equivalents, are required:

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Program Requirements

All students must complete a 12-unit common core. Under the direction of the graduate adviser, students may focus a program in a specialized area to meet their career goals. This is accomplished by the selection of a minimum of 12 units of electives. A 6-unit thesis completes the program of study. A minimum of 21 units must be taken at the 200 level.

Core
FN 200 (3 units)
200-level statistics course (3 units)
(See Graduate Advising Notes.)
FN 223 (3 units)
FN 229 (1+1+1 units)

Approved Electives
200- or 100-level courses appropriate to
individually designed program; must be
approved by adviser prior to enrollment (12 units)

Culminating Experience
FN 299 (6 units)

Total minimum (30 units)

Advising Notes for M.S. in Food and Nutritional Sciences

  1. Several of the 200-level and approved elective courses have prerequisites other than courses listed as admission requirements.
  2. The statistics requirement may be met with any adviser approved 200-level statistics course offered by the university.
  3. Students should request specific information concerning the master of science degree and the program advising sheet from the department office.
  4. Upon admission, students should see the department graduate program coordinator for assistance in selection of a graduate adviser.
  5. To progress through the graduate program, the student must:
    a. Maintain a minimum of 3.0 GPA
    b. Complete all prerequisite coursework
    c. Attain classified standing
    d. Meet the graduate writing proficiency requirement
    e. File for advancement to candidacy
    f. Complete the program requirements
    g. File a master thesis committee assignment form
    h. Formally present and defend the thesis results
  6. The Graduate Writing Skills requirement for the graduate program in Food and Nutritional Sciences may be met by passing the writing component of AGRI 220 or FN 200. Please see the program's graduate adviser for more information.
  7. Advancement to candidacy requires the completion of 9 program units in residence, a minimum GPA of 3.0, meeting the graduate writing proficiency requirement, and filing a petition for advancement to candidacy a minimum of one semester prior to enrollment in thesis and within the deadline.
  8. Students may apply a maximum of 3 units each of FN 290 or 292 to their program.
  9. See Division of Graduate Studies in this catalog for university requirements.

Certificate of Advanced Study
in Dietetics (Dietetic Internship)

The Certificate of Advanced Study in Dietetics is a postbaccalaureate professional program that meets the requirements for supervised practice experience for entry-level generalist dietitians. The Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association has granted developmental accreditation to the program as a dietetic internship. The American Dietetic Association can be reached at 2120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995 or at (312) 899-0040 ext. 5400. Students completing the program will be eligible to take the dietetic registration exam administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the American Dietetic Association.

Admission Requirements. Candidates for admission will be evaluated using the following criteria: undergraduate coursework, grade point average of 3.0 or better (last 60 semester units/90 quarter units), completion of an accredited/approved didactic program in dietetics within the last five years, GRE scores (480V/580Q recommended), statement of professional goals, and letters of reference. Preference is given to those applicants with work or volunteer experience in dietetics. Applicants whose native language is other than English must earn a minimum TOEFL score of 550.

Note: Interns accepted to the program must successfully complete background checks, fingerprinting, and any other requirements of sponsoring facilities before beginning program.

Admission Materials. Admission Materials. The application process has three parts (all of which must be completed for your application to be considered):

  1. application to the dietetic internship (on-line centralized internship application): https://portal.dicas.org
  2. application to the university for post baccalaureate standing: http://www.csumentor.edu
  3. application to D & D Digital for computer match: http://www.dnddigital.com

Please see detailed application procedures at http://fsn.jcast.csufresno.edu/degrees_and_programs/post_baccalaureate/dietetic_internship.aspx.

Program Requirements

FN 250 (3 units)
FN 229 (1+1 units)
FN 230 (3 units)
NUTR 193 (4 units)
FSM 193 (4 units)
Total (16 units)

 

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