Medical Nutritional Sciences

MA and PhD programs of study require the same interdisciplinary nutrition core sequence, and can be followed by focus on:

• Molecular & Biochemical Nutrition
• Clinical Nutrition
• Nutritional Epidemiology
• Public Health/Community Nutrition

The core sequences provide a broad background in nutritional sciences, taking an integrative approach that addresses basic science as well as clinical, epidemiological and public health aspects. Small group discussion classes hone critical thinking skills through readings of primary literature. Students complete a research thesis (finishing in the summer) under the direction of a faculty member.

The master’s program is ideal for pre-med and pre-dental students. Students are also well-prepared to undertake doctoral studies in subfields of nutrition, or to work in nutrition-related research or outreach programs in academia, industry (pharmaceutical/nutriceutical, food, and related) or foundations.

The PhD program can be entered directly or via the Master’s year. PhD students can be admitted after a bachelors degree (64 credits (32 of coursework)) or after a master’s (32 credits (at least 16 coursework)).

Dissertation research is carried out under the guidance of our internationally known faculty in the fields of diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, aging pediatrics, public health, and nutritional epidemiology. Please see our faculty listings for more details.

A typical first year of coursework for master’s students (32 credits, 28 course credits, 4 research credits) includes:

Biochemistry*

• GMS NU 600 Medical Nutrition Sciences (4 cr)
• GMS NU 601 Medical Nutrition Sciences (4 cr) (to be created)
• GMS NU 700 Medical Nutrition Sciences Seminar (2 cr)
• MS 570 Biostatistics or equivalent (3 cr)

Typical electives (among others) during the first and second year depending on area of interest:

• GMS BI 755/756 Biochemistry
• GMS MS 753 Cell Biology
• GMS BI 782 Molecular Biology
• GMS BI 759 Integrative Biochemistry (required for the biochemical/ molecular focus area)
• SPH HS 710 Nutrition and Public Health (4 cr)
• SPH SB 821 Principles & Strategies of Dis Prev/Health Promo (4 cr)
• SPH MC 710 Foundations of Maternal & Child Health Nutrition (2 cr)
• SPH SB 732 Nutrition, Aging & the Elder Population (2 cr)
• SPH EB 758 Nutritional Epidemiology (4 cr)
• GMS NU 710 Advanced Methods in Medical Nutrition Research (Variable Credit)

Additional electives can be found by perusing the graduate programs in the School of Public Health, such as Epidemiology and Maternal & Child Health, and the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences, including the programs in Biochemistry, Cell & Molecular Biology, Genetics & Genomics, Physiology, and Molecular Medicine, among others.

*Students can petition the curriculum committee if they have had equivalent coursework as undergraduates.

Post-bachelor’s PhD candidates are required to complete a total of 64 credits (maximum of 38 as research, i.e. 26 course credits). Post-master’s PhD students need to complete 32 credits including a minimum of 16 credits of formal coursework. MD/PhD students must fulfill the requirements for both the MD and the PhD degrees. Please consult with the medical school for information on the curriculum for the MD degree (medical school curriculum). For the PhD component, students need to complete 32 credits including a minimum of 18 credits of formal coursework.

A qualifying exam is required within one-and-a-half years, but usually is taken at the end of the first year of coursework. The thesis proposal is defended at the end of the second year of graduate study. At that time, the student is officially admitted to PhD candidacy and a doctoral committee (four members of the nutrition graduate program, one outside expert) is formed. Students report on their progress to this committee this year, and defend their written thesis after a public presentation and an oral defense.

Financial Support

Full fellowships (competitive stipend and tuition remission) are available to doctoral students on a competitive basis. Please apply as early as possible (best before February 1) to be eligible for these fellowships.

Scholarships ($5000) are available to master’s students on a competitive basis to partially offset tuition costs.

The Boston University Medical Campus has over 3,000 faculty, 600 funded research programs, 1,000 active clinical trials, and hundreds of courses offerings in the basic sciences, traditional and complementary clinical practice, diverse research methods, health counseling, and public health concentration areas. This exceptional environment provides an ideal setting for students interested in advanced education and practice and facilitates exposures to research in nutrition epidemiology, clinical and health services, disease prevention and health promotion, and basic nutritional science. Currently, 3,300 medical, dental, and graduate students are enrolled in programs at the Boston University Medical Campus, and they represent a full range of geographic, cultural, ethnic, and educational diversity.

The Graduate Program in Medical Nutrition Sciences reviews applications on a rolling admissions basis throughout the year. It is recommended that MA applicants apply no later than March 1, particularly those who are interested in one of the 2011-2012 Master’s Scholarship Awards. Those interested in doctoral study and fellowships for PhD work are advised to submit applications by Feb 1.

Please apply online at www.bumc.bu.edu/gms and direct questions about application logistics to Michelle Hall, Associate Director of Admissions at 617-638-5121 or natashah@bu.edu.