MS in Food Science and Flavor Chemistry

Get hands-on experience using unique equipment used in industry labs, including gas chromatography/mass spectrometry-olfactometry equipment and a microfluidizer that is one of the few available in the United States.

Flavor chemists study food and break down food compounds scientifically so their taste and aromas can be replicated in the lab, developing new flavors and reformulating old ones. 

Over the past two years, TWU has been awarded more than $700,000 in research studies by national food and beverage companies, including Dr. Pepper Snapple. Our flavor chemistry students perform the research in support of these studies:

• Evaluating the flavor associated compounds in strawberries in an attempt to identify attributes associated with U.S. taste preferences
• Studying watermelon to identify the specific agents contributing to flavor
• Examining mushroom for their flavor notes and role they may play in satiety and their potential role in weight control

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)
• GRE is not required. 
• 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.

How to Apply

1. Apply for admission to the TWU Graduate School.
2. Submit A two-page personal statement of interest specific to the area of flavor chemistry as a PDF file to NFSGradAdvising@twu.edu with the subject line (YOUR FULL NAME)-M.S. in Food Science and Flavor Chemistry.