OBJECTIVES
The Doctor of Philosophy in Nutrition (Ph.D. in Nutrition) is a graduate study program which provides a holistic view of nutrition, in-depth knowledge of nutritional science, research competence and adequate understanding of the discipline related to nutrition, such as education, communication, public health and the behavioral sciences. Its highlight is the conduct of an original research which makes a significant contribution to knowledge and reflects independent and creative work.
To achieve the objectives set forth, the curriculum has been designed to contain the following:
1. Core courses: These include courses in molecular nutrition, research and evaluation of nutritional status. They are designed to provide a firm and comprehensive foundation on the theories, principles and approaches in nutrition and its various dimensions.
2. Elective courses: These include courses in nutrition which provide an in-depth analysis of selected topics and issues in nutrition.
3. Minor courses: The candidate choose these to obtain more specialized knowledge in a particular discipline related to nutrition, such as biochemistry, community development, communication, education, psychology, anthropology, sociology, public administration or public health.
4. Cognate courses: These are chosen by the student on the basis of his own interest.
5. Dissertation: This is an original research carried out by the student which makes a significant contribution to knowledge and reflects independent and creative thought and work.
Because the program is anchored on the belief that nutrition is a multidisciplinary field of study requiring a multidisciplinary approach, it is a cooperative undertaking of many units within the university. Relevant courses offered by units other than the Department of Food Science and Nutrition may be taken by the student. Additional, the student is allowed to do research under the joint direction of a nutrition faculty and a competent faculty member in another unit.
The Ph.D. program requires 49-56 units of course work beyond the undergraduate level and 12 units of dissertation. The courses include 27-28 units of core subjects, 10-12 units of minor subjects, 4-6 units of cognate subjects, and 8-10 units of electives.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
For admission to the Ph.D. program in nutrition, the following are required:
1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university;
2. At least two years of professional work experience in nutrition or a related field;
3. A formal letter of application (including statement of purpose) addressed to the Dean of the College;
4. At least three references: two from major professors and one from a previous/current employer. The standard reference form of the college should be used for this purpose;
5. Official transcript of records of undergraduate and graduate work, one original and one xeroxed copy;
6. Payment of application fee of P100.00 for Filipinos and $25.00 for foreign applicants. The amount must accompany the application credential;
7. A curriculum vitae, including a passport-size photograph. The standard college form should be used; and
8. Evidence of having passed the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign
Language) in case the applicant is a graduate of an institution where English is not the medium of instruction. A minimum score of 500 in TOEFL is required.
All the above requirements must be submitted to the College Secretary at least one semester before the applicant plans to enroll.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
In order to qualify for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Nutrition, the student must:
1. Complete 49-59 units of course work, with an overall grade point average of 1.75 or better.
2. Pass the qualifying examination with a grade of 1.75 or better. The examination is taken after completing the prescribed courses, with an overall grade point average of 1.75 or better. A second and last chance may be given to a student who fails to get a grade of 1.75 or better in the examination. The examination shall cover subject matter taken in the core and elective courses, issues in nutrition and other relevant topics.
3. Pass an examination in the minor field of study with a grade of 1.75 or better. The examination is taken after completion of the required units of courses in the minor field and before the dissertation is started.
4. Pass the final comprehensive examination. The examination shall cover the dissertation as well as other topics and issues in nutrition. A second failure will bar him from obtaining the degree.
5. Submit six bound copies of the approved dissertation and a technical article for publication in a professional journal.
6. Assist in the teaching of an undergraduate subject in nutrition for one semester, for those without any teaching experience.
All requirements for the degree must be completed within six years, including leaves. Only in exceptional cases may a one-year extension be permitted upon the recommendation of the program adviser, which recommendation may include the requirement that the student supplement his original program of study with additional courses or research work.
PROGRAM OF STUDY
The Ph.D. program requires a total of 49-56 units beyond the bachelor’s degree. Of these, 12 units are for the dissertation. The 49-56 units of course work are divided into 27-28 units of core subjects, 10-12 units in the minor field of study, 8-10 units of electives and 4-6 units of cognate courses.
A program committee of at least two senior professor, both with doctoral degrees, will help the student plan out the program of study. One committee member should represent the field of nutrition and another the student’s chosen minor field of study.
A full-time student may take a maximum of 12-14 units a semester while a working or part-time student is allowed 6-8 units.
No more than 9 units of graduate work earned in another university may be credited, provided that these were earned in a previously earned degree. Validation is required for each of the subjects applied for accreditation.
For student lacking the necessary academic preparation for graduate work in nutrition, two options are available. He may register in the appropriate undergraduate courses prior to enrolling in the graduate courses. Units earned in these courses will not received graduate credit. An alternative is to take an appraisal examination, written or oral, on the areas covered in the minimum undergraduate preparation requirements. failure in this test will mean that the student will have to register in the appropriate undergraduate courses. Units earned in such courses will not be given graduate credit.
A student who passes the preliminary examination is accepted on a provisional basis. He becomes a doctoral candidate only upon passing the qualifying examination, which is taken after completing the prescribed units of core and elective courses with an overall grade point average of 1.75 or better.
After advancement of candidacy, the student who has had no teaching experience in college may meet their requirement by acting as a teaching assistant in a nutrition course. In preparation for this, he/she may be required to take appropriate courses in college teaching.
DISSERTATION
The Ph.D. is a research-oriented degree. More than anything else, a doctoral candidate should prove his capability to carry out an original piece of research which reflects his capacity for independent investigation, analytical and integrative ability, and comprehensive and critical understanding of the specific area of nutrition studied.
The dissertation committee, composed of the two program committee members and one other, shall guide the student in the preparation of the dissertation. However, although the dissertation committee may be consulted, the research work must be basically a reflection of the student’s research competencies. An examination panel of at least five members shall be constituted to conduct the final oral comprehensive examination. The panel shall be composed of the three dissertation committee members and two others. Only one re-examination may be allowed.
After passing the oral examination, the student will present
and discuss his thesis work in a seminar and submit a technical paper for publication
in a reputable journal.
REVISED Ph.D. (NUTRITION) PROGRAM
A. CORE COURSES (27-28 units)
Nutr 240 Measure and Evaluation of
Nutritional Status I .................................. 2
Nutr 240.1 Measurement and Evaluation of
Nutritional Status II ............................... 2
Nutr 270 Molecular Nutrition I ............................. 3
Nutr 270.1 Molecular Nutrition II ............................ 3
Nutr 290 Nutrition Research I ............................... 3
Nutr 290.1 Nutrition Research II ............................. 3
Nutr 350 Readings in Food and Nutrition
(to be taken at least twice) ...................... 3
Statistics ................................................................................. 5-6
HE 390..................Graduate Seminar ............................... 3
(to be taken thrice)
B. MINOR COURSES (10-12 units): In any one relevant field of study
outside the College of Home Economics
C. ELECTIVE COURSE in Nutrition (8-10 units)
Nutr 220 Food Systems ......................................... 2
Nutr 230 Selected Aspects of Food Science
and Nutrition .......................................... 2
Nutr 235 Ecology of Nutrition .............................. 2
Nutr 250 Advances in diet Therapy I .................... 2
Nutr 250.1 Advances in Diet Therapy II ................ 2
Nutr 260 Planning and Management of Food
and Nutrition Programs I ....................... 2
Nutr 260.1 Planning and Management of Food
and Nutrition Programs II ..................... 2
D. COGNATE COURSES (4-6 units): Based on the student’s particular interest
E. DISSERTATION (12 units)
Nutr 400