Biomedical and Molecular Nutrition Specialization (M.S.)

Biomedical and Molecular Nutrition Specialization

Master of Science (M.S.) in Nutrition and Health Sciences

Study eyes macadamia nuts for prevention of maternal complications

The master's degree in Nutrition and Health Sciences-Biomedical and Molecular Nutrition Specialization focuses on biomedical and molecular nutrition research. It is designed for students seeking careers in academia and industry as nutritional specialists. Students in this program will acquire competencies through a combination of classwork and laboratory research within the following areas:

  • Human nutrition
  • Biochemistry and molecular biology
  • Experimental design
  • Statistical data analysis

The program requires 9 credit hours from the following courses:  

  • NUTR 820 Molecular Nutrition (3)
  • NUTR 821 Molecular Nutrition Techniques (3)
  • NUTR 840 Research Critiques in Extracellular Vesicles (3)
  • NUTR 845 Obesity Disease and Human Health (3)
  • NUTR 926 Carbohydrate and Lipid Nutrition (3)
  • NUTR 950 Integrated Principles of Human Nutrition (3)
  • NUTR 960 Nutrient Function During Exercise (3) 

A full listing of course descriptions can be found by visiting catalog.unl.edu/graduate-professional/courses/nutr/.

Total credits required: 

  • M.S. Option A: 30 total credit hours, requires research thesis (NUTR 899, 6-10 credit hours)
  • M.S. Option B: 30 total credit hours, non-thesis

Degree Requirements

• As for all M.S. degrees, a minimum of 30 semester hours of credit, consisting of 20 to 24 semester hours of regular courses (of which 9 credit hours must be selected from the list above), and 6 to 10 semester hours of thesis research (for Option I students).

• Minimum of 15 semester hours, including thesis, must be taken in the student’s major subject (i.e., courses having the prefix NUTR).

• If pursuing a minor, then at least 9 semester hours of supporting courses must be taken in a department or interdepartmental area which offers a minor.

• Minimum of 8 semester hours, in addition to the thesis, must be earned in courses open exclusively to graduate students (900 level or 800 level without 400 or lower counterparts).

• Up to 9 semester hours of graduate credit from other accredited institutions may be accepted at the discretion of the student’s Examining Committee. Transfer credits without an undergraduate counterpart may be used to fulfill the 8-hour “graduate-level only” requirement.

• As an outcome, an original, research-oriented written thesis and formal oral defense is required.

Associated Faculty

  1. Avatar for Tomasz Bednarski

    Assistant Professor

    Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences University of Nebraska-Lincoln

    Work
    Address
    LEV 119C
    Lincoln NE 68583-0806
    Phone
    Work
    Email
    tomasz.k.bednarski@unl.edu
    Website
  2. Avatar for Sathish Kumar Natarajan

    Associate Professor

    Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences University of Nebraska-Lincoln

    Work
    Address
    FYH 229
    Lincoln NE 68583-0806
    Phone
    Work 402-805-7520
    Email
    snatarajan2@unl.edu
    Website
  3. Avatar for Sunil Sukumaran

    Assistant Professor of Molecular Genetics

    Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences University of Nebraska-Lincoln

    Work
    Address
    LEV 316F
    Lincoln NE 68583-0806
    Phone
    Work
    Email
    sunil.sukumaran@unl.edu
  4. Avatar for Ivan Vechetti

    Assistant Professor of Extracellular Vesicles

    Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences University of Nebraska-Lincoln

    Work
    Address
    LEV 316G
    Lincoln NE 68583-0806
    Phone
    Work
    Email
    ivechetti@unl.edu
    Website
  5. Avatar for Janos Zempleni

    Willa Cather Professor of Molecular Nutrition and Director of the Nebraska Center for the Prevention of Obesity Diseases

    Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences University of Nebraska-Lincoln

    Work
    Address
    LEV 316C
    Lincoln NE 68583-0806
    Phone
    Work 402-472-3270 On-campus 2-3270
    Email
    jzempleni2@unl.edu
    Website
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