Nutrition (PhD)
Graduate School
Graduate Field
Program Description
Graduate students in the field of nutrition doctoral program may obtain training in many aspects of nutrition and in the biological or social sciences related to nutrition. Students applying to the Ph.D. program in nutrition will apply to one of four concentrations by subject:
- Community Nutrition
- Human Nutrition
- International Nutrition
- Molecular Nutrition
Concentrations
- Metabolic health
- Precision health
- Maternal and child health
- Public health and health equity
Program Information
- Program Mode of Delivery: In Person
- Program Location: Ithaca, NY
Program Requirements
- Minimum Semesters for Degree: 6
Graduate School Milestones
- Responsible Conduct of Research Training: required
- Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID): required
- Student Progress Reviews (SPR) begin: first year
- Examination for admission to candidacy (A exam): recommended second year, required by end of third year
- Defense of Dissertation (B exam): typically fifth or sixth year
Field Specific Milestones
- Field progress review conducted first year
- One semester of teaching assistantship required
Course Requirements
Additional course requirements may be set by the student’s special committee. Program specific requirements that apply to all students are included below.
Year 1 (Fall)
Graduate School Enrollment Requirements
Course Requirements
- Course requirements are determined by the student’s Special Committee.
- Enrollment in a GRAD research course or the equivalent field specific research course is expected of all students each semester through graduation. These courses include:
University Graduation Requirements
Requirements for All Students
In order to receive a Cornell degree, a student must satisfy academic and non-academic requirements.
Academic Requirements
A student’s college determines degree requirements such as residency, number of credits, distribution of credits, and grade averages. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of the specific major, degree, distribution, college, and graduation requirements for completing their chosen program of study. See the individual requirements listed by each college or school or contact the college registrar’s office for more information.
Non-academic Requirements
Conduct Matters. Students must satisfy any outstanding sanctions, penalties or remedies imposed or agreed to under the Student Code of Conduct (Code) or Policy 6.4. Where a formal complaint under the Code or Policy 6.4 is pending, the University will withhold awarding a degree otherwise earned until the adjudication process set forth in those procedures is complete, including the satisfaction of any sanctions, penalties or remedies imposed.
Financial Obligations. Outstanding financial obligations will not impact the awarding of a degree otherwise earned or a student’s ability to access their official transcript. However, the University may withhold issuing a diploma until any outstanding financial obligations owing to the University are satisfied.
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge in the field of study.
-Identifies and understands relevant literature and gaps in knowledge
-Thinks originally and independently to develop concepts and/or methodologies - Demonstrate advanced research skills.
-Makes an original and substantial contribution to the field
-Analyzes and critically evaluates one’s own findings and those of others - Demonstrate effective oral communication skills.
-Presents clear and compelling oral arguments with evidence-based point-of-view relative to the research conducted and existing literature
-Listens to, gives, and receives feedback effectively - Demonstrate effective written communication skills.
-Compose and publish a written work that coherently presents research findings.
-Publish scientific research report(s) in a peer-reviewed publication. - Demonstrate commitment to ethics and advancing the values of scholarship.
-Shows commitment to professional development through engagement in professional societies and other knowledge transfer modes
-Shows commitment to creating an environment that supports learning – through teaching, collaboration, and mentoring
-Shows commitment to ethical standards in research and scholarship
Admissions
Application Requirements and Deadlines
Application Deadlines
Fall, December 1; no spring admission
Requirements Summary
General chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry are required for admission of all graduate students in nutritional sciences. Additional training in nutrition, physiology, and biology are also recommended. For study relating to community aspects of nutrition, courses in the social sciences are also recommended.
- all Graduate School requirements, including the English language proficiency requirement for all applicants
- two recommendations
- academic statement of purpose
- personal statement
- prior courses in general chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry
Admissions Contact Information
Email: dnsgrad@cornell.edu
Phone: 607-255-2628
Campus Address: B36 Kinzelberg Hall
Website: https://www.human.cornell.edu/dns/academics/graduate/phd