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Human Nutritional Sciences (MSc)

The Master of Science (Human Nutritional Sciences) integrates concepts in metabolism, food and community nutrition. Areas of study include metabolic and molecular nutrition, applied human nutrition and food quality and acceptability.

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A human nutritional scientist stands at a kitchen counter with various food items spread out in front of her.
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    Faculty

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

  • icon award

    Degree

    • Master of Science

  • icon graduate

    Expected duration

    • 2 years

  • A student and a researcher look at a computer monitor.

  • The Department of Food and Human Nutritional Sciences is one of the largest in Canada and the University of Manitoba is the only university in the province to offer graduate programs leading to the MSc and PhD degrees in human nutritional sciences. The MSc program consists of coursework and research.

    Some topics of research include:

    • Experimental nutrition: Exploring the role of nutrients and food components in basic biological processes, from the whole organism to the molecular level.
    • Community and clinical nutrition: Focusing on policy development, food choice behaviour and novel approaches to disease management.
    • Nutrition and immunity: Studying the effect of nutrients on body defence and immune systems including those involved in cell damage and repair and detoxification of environmental pollutants.

Program details

The Master of Science (Human Nutritional Sciences) is a two-year thesis-based program.

Master of Science (Human Nutritional Sciences)

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)

Thesis:

Students must demonstrate competence in completing thesis research and pass an oral examination relating to their thesis subject.

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

  • HNSC 7070: Advanced Problems in Foods (3 credit hours)
  • HNSC 7110: Advanced Problems in Nutrition (3 credit hours)
  • HNSC 7440: Protein Nutrition and Metabolism (1.5 credit hours)
  • HNSC 7480: Mineral and Trace Element Nutrition and Metabolism (1.5 credit hours)
  • HNSC 7510: Flavour Chemistry and Sensory Properties of Foods (1.5 credit hours)
  • HNSC 7520: Nutraceuticals in Human Health (1.5 credit hours)
  • HNSC 7530: Nutrition in Public Policy (1.5 credit hours)
  • HNSC 7540: Nutritional Epidemiology (1.5 credit hours)

For full course descriptions, please visit the Academic Calendar.

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 HNSC 7200: Seminar in Food and Nutrition Research, 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.

Admission requirements

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

To be considered for admission to the Master of Science (Human Nutritional Sciences) 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 Human Nutritional Sciences Master of Science program has three application deadlines per year. Applications must be completed online and include several parts:

  • 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)

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.

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.

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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