M.S. Degree Requirements

The Fox Graduate School requirements for the M.S. degree are described in detail in the Graduate Bulletin. Additional general and specific requirements determined by the Food Science Faculty are provided on the M.S. Requirements Worksheet. The M.S. Requirements Worksheet will be used as a guideline to ascertain if all requirements for the M.S. degree have been fulfilled. The worksheet must be completed by the student and signed by student and advisor(s) and must be submitted to the Graduate Program Coordinator along with a PDF of the student’s transcript one semester prior to the intended graduating semester (see deadlines below) and prior to scheduling the Thesis Seminar and Defense. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all appropriate requirements for a degree have been met. Please use the following deadlines for submitting the M.S. Requirements Worksheet and transcript to the Graduate Program Coordinator: 

Master's Thesis Committee

Any approved member of the Penn State Food Science Graduate Faculty may advise a master's student. In addition, the Department of Food Science requires a Master's Thesis Committee of at least three members, to include one additional member of the Food Science Graduate Faculty other than the advisor. If a minor has been selected, a faculty member representing the minor field must be appointed to the committee. Master's students, in consultation with their advisor, shall establish a thesis committee by the end of their second semester in the graduate program. All graduate students shall have a minimum of one formal thesis committee meeting annually. This meeting will be reported as part of the Annual Graduate Student Evaluation and will be a factor in determining if adequate progress to degree is being made. Please complete the Master's Committee Appointment Signature Form to appoint or revise the Master's Thesis Committee. Provide this form to the Graduate Program Coordinator once the committee is formed.

Culminating Experience (Thesis)

A culminating experience is required for all Food Science Master's graduate students in accordance with policy GCAC-642 - Culminating Experience - Research Master's. In the Food Science Graduate Program, the Culminating Experience is the Thesis. Final Thesis must be approved by the majority of the Master's Thesis Committee and the Graduate Program Head as described in accordance with GCAC-642 - Culminating Experience - Research Master's. In case the student has failed the Culminating Experience, one additional attempt is allowed within the time limits stipulated by GCAC-632.

Thesis Research Seminar

Upon completion of thesis research and prior to the Final Thesis Defense, each student will present a public seminar to the Department. The thesis seminar must be scheduled so that the student's committee can attend. The scheduling of a thesis research seminar is administered by the student's advisor in conjunction with their thesis committee, the Seminar Committee, and the Graduate Program Coordinator. Provide the Graduate Program Coordinator with the title and abstract of the seminar at least two weeks prior to the scheduled seminar. If not a part of the Department Seminar Series, the student should submit a Grad Request Form no later than 45 days prior to the date of the seminar so that a room can be reserved and so that the Graduate Program Coordinator is aware of the seminar date/time. The Grad Request Form should be submitted once and include both the Thesis Seminar and Thesis Defense information. If the defense date is not known at the time of submission, a separate form may be submitted later for the Thesis Defense. Refer to Thesis Research Seminar, provided in the "General Degree Requirements", for further details and information. 

Thesis Defense

A copy of the student's thesis must be given to each committee member two weeks prior to the scheduled non-public Thesis Defense, and a majority of the committee members must agree to proceed with the defense one week prior to the scheduled Thesis Defense. The thesis must be in the format acceptable for submission to the Fox Graduate School. The student should submit a Grad Request Form no later than 45 days prior to the date of the defense so that a room can be reserved and so that the Graduate Program Coordinator is aware of the defense date/time. The Grad Request Form should be submitted once and include both the Thesis Seminar and Thesis Defense information. If the defense date is not known at the time of submission, a separate form may be submitted later for the Thesis Defense. See The Fox Graduate School's Theses and Dissertation Information here.

Electronic Submission of the Thesis (eTD)

Master's students must submit the thesis for formatting review and the final thesis as an electronic document according to the dates provided by The Fox Graduate School's Thesis, Dissertation, Performance and Oral Presentation Deadlines Calendar as per GSAD-510 - Thesis Submission. For information on formatting requirements and the submission process see the Thesis and Dissertation Handbook. Visit the eTD website to review previously uploaded Theses and Dissertations. The thesis must be accepted by the master's committee, the head of the graduate program, and The Fox Graduate School.

Graduation

Students must notify the University of Intent to Graduate and apply for graduation via LionPATH according to the deadlines provided by Academic Dates and Deadlines for the appropriate academic semester (typically a period of approximately 6 weeks at the beginning of the semester graduating).  

Exit Interview and Checkout

Students are required to schedule an exit interview with the Department Head via the Department Head's Administrative Assistant. It is preferred that the exit interview be in person prior to departure from campus. Please use the Grad Request Form to request an exit interview. An example of the Exit Interview Questions are included herein for reference.

Students should also complete the tasks on the Graduate Student Graduation Checkout Sheet prior to departure from campus.  

Continuing onto Ph.D. Program after the M.S. Degree

Students may consider continuing onto the Ph.D. program upon completion of their M.S. degree.  To activate their application for the Ph.D. program a student must submit the Resume Study/Change of Graduate Degree or Major application in the online GRADS application system including an updated Statement of Purpose and a letter of recommendation from the student's advisor. Click Change of Major/Degree and apply.  Successful completion of the M.S. degree does not guarantee admission to the Ph.D. program.

M.S. Graduate Program Checklist

Year 1

• Obtain ID card, set up access/email account, complete pre-registration activities, obtain keys, attend orientation
• *International Students Only* - Take AEOCPT Exam prior to 1^st semester. Graduate Program Coordinator will register international students. AEOCPT Information.  Citizens from countries listed here are exempt.
• Complete EHS - Initial Laboratory & Research Safety Training - University Park
• Schedule FDSC 500 A, B, C, D, FDSC 501, and FDSC 602
• Schedule academic 400 and 500 level courses in consultation with advisor(s)
• Confirm FDSC 600 Enrollment is accurate in LionPath after Graduate Program Coordinator completes enrollment
• Complete Individual Development Plan (IDP) and review IDP halfway through the AY
• Appoint thesis committee (Submit Master's Committee Appointment Form to Graduate Program Coordinator)
• Complete Annual Evaluation (happens in Spring semester, Graduate Program Coordinator initiates)
• Schedule first thesis committee meeting(s) in consultation with advisor(s) latest by the end of your second semester
• Develop a coursework plan in consultation with thesis committee
• Develop thesis proposal and present to thesis committee
• Complete RECR Requirement (FDSC 501 satisfies some of the RECR requirement)

Year 2

• Schedule academic 400 and 500 level courses per coursework plan
• Confirm FDSC 600 Enrollment is accurate in LionPath after Graduate Program Coordinator completes enrollment
• Complete Individual Development Plan (IDP) and review IDP halfway through the AY
• Schedule thesis committee meeting(s) in consultation with advisor(s)
• Serve as TA
• Write thesis & manuscript(s)
• Submit MS Requirements Worksheet and transcript to Graduate Program Coordinator one semester prior to intend to graduate and before scheduling Thesis Seminar and Defense.  See deadlines provided herein.
• Schedule Thesis Seminar with Advisor/Committee and submit Grad Request Form once for Seminar & Thesis
• (provide Graduate Program Coordinator with seminar title & abstract at least two weeks in advance)
• Schedule Thesis Defense with Advisor/Committee and submit Grad Request Form once w/ Seminar if possible
• Activate "Intent to Graduate" the semester intending to graduate (via LionPATH by deadline).
• Submit Thesis for format review with Fox Graduate School Thesis Office by deadline
• Submit thesis online for Committee, Department Head, & Fox Graduate School approval.  It is recommended to check with the department head's administrative assistant and confirm the department head's availability prior to submitting thesis.
• Schedule Exit Interview with Department Head submit Grad Request Form
• Complete Annual Evaluation (happens in Spring semester, Graduate Program Coordinator initiates)
• Complete Graduation Checkout List
• Return keys, PCard, and equipment. Complete PCard travel and expense reports, vacate office