MS in Food Science and Flavor Chemistry

Get hands-on experience with advanced, industry-relevant techniques and equipment, including gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-olfactometry, high-performance liquid chromatography, and sensory evaluation for flavor analysis, as well as microscopes, biosafety cabinets and spectrophotometer for microbial analysis.

Research work in the flavor chemistry area broadly focuses on understanding the chemical basis of flavor perception (e.g., aroma and taste) and improving the flavor quality of food, beverages, and related products. It also explores how flavor compounds are formed and degraded during processing and storage, and develops methods to enhance desirable flavors while minimizing undesirable ones. It is a multidisciplinary field integrating chemistry, food science, sensory science, biochemistry, and sometimes molecular biology and material science.

View Xiaofen Du’s specific research opportunities.

Food microbiology research investigates the presence, behavior, and roles of microorganisms in food systems, aiming to understand microbial safety risks, spoilage mechanisms, fermentation processes, and the development of functional foods. This field seeks to control harmful microbes while harnessing beneficial ones for food production and health.

View Danhui Wang’s specific research opportunities.=

Program Contact

Xiaofen Du
940-898-2667
xdu@twu.edu

Application Deadlines

Fall — June 15*
Spring — October 1*
Summer — April 1*

* Our department has rolling admission for all of our graduate programs; however, to ensure a proper start time, we recommend having your application completed by the dates listed above.

Admission Requirements

• Undergraduate semester credit hour prerequisites, including:
  • Chemistry (9-12 hours)
  • Food Science (6-9 hours)
• Minimum 3.25 GPA on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 undergraduate semester credit hours and all post-baccalaureate and graduate semester credit hours.

Applicants who meet the above criteria with exception of GPA may qualify for provisional admission if they have at least a 3.0 GPA (4.0 scale) on the last 60 undergraduate semester credit hours. If the applicant has previously earned graduate credits from TWU or another regionally accredited graduate program, the first 12 credit hours completed will be considered in lieu of the last 60 undergraduate hours.

Applicants who meet all other requirements but lack up to 9 semester credit hours of prerequisite undergraduate courses may be admitted provisionally to this program. They will complete all 9 semester credit hours during the first two semesters of graduate work.

• Email addresses for 2 individuals familiar with your academic capabilities, who can respond to a recommendation form to be requested through and submitted into the application.

Begin by reviewing your program's website to see if there are additional admission requirements and application deadlines prior to applying.  

1. Apply online.
   Apply to Graduate Programs  via the TWU Online Graduate Application Portal following instructions below.  
2. Submit transcripts to TWU.
   • Domestic Applicants must submit official transcripts for each college or university attended, both undergraduate and graduate. See the Information on Transcripts website for more details. Original transcripts for each college/university attended must be submitted, even if referred to on another schools transcripts.
   • International Applicants are now required to provide an evaluation prepared by a NACES or AICE member evaluation service. International transcripts should not be sent directly to TWU. See the International Admissions website for more details.
3. Submit Recommendation Requests
   If your program requires you to submit names for recommendations you will need to do it in the application. List of programs-majors.  
4. Pay the application fee.
   The $50 fee ($75 fee for International applicants), which applies to all new and returning applicants, can be paid by:
   1. Credit card - Pay Online through the application as the last step before submitting the application. The second portion of the application will not be available until the application fee has been received.
   2. Fee Waivers - Graduate applicants who are certified McNair Scholars are eligible for a McNair Scholar Application Fee Waiver. TWU Alumni may be eligible for the Alumni Advantage Fee Waiver. Check your eligibility here: https://twu.edu/alumni-advantage/. If eligible submit the request using the Application Fee Waiver Submission
   3. Following fee payment return to the application dashboard where supplemental application documents can be uploaded. The online application will list which documents are needed to fulfill the program admission requirements. You can also check the program's website.
5. Submit Program supplemental documents
   1. Review the specific requirements for your intended program to identify any supplemental materials needed for your application.

Watch for emails from your new program/department that may come to your TWU email address.

For more information or assistance with the application or graduate admissions, visit the Graduate Admissions website.

Students who wish to apply for a Graduate Assistantship must meet the General Criteria for Appointment of Graduate Assistants.