Program Director: Fernandez
Faculty: Composed of graduate faculty members in the Department of Nutrition Sciences and selected faculty members in other schools and departments.
The Ph.D. Program in Nutrition Sciences provides training and research experience in classical nutrition, clinical nutrition, nutrition and disease prevention, and metabolism of nutrients. Specific areas of emphasis in research include nutritional support of the hospitalized patient, nutrition and the prevention of cancer and atherosclerosis, energy metabolism and body composition, and vitamin and mineral metabolism.
Credentials Conferred: Diploma - The Doctor of Philosophy degree is awarded by the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Length of Study: Two years of coursework plus two or more years for research. Students usually complete the program within five years.
Program Entrance Date: Fall semester
Application Deadline: March 1st prior to fall term of enrollment
Application Procedure: Application is processed through the UAB Graduate School. On-line application is required, and the following materials must be submitted to the UAB Graduate School:
- completed UAB Graduate School electronic application, which can be accessed at: UAB Graduate School Online Application.
- non-refundable application fee (UAB Graduate School has waived this fee for U.S. citizens and permanent residents);
- official transcripts from all colleges attended;
- test scores on GRE taken within past two years;
- brief statement of research interests, professional goals, and past performance;
- three letters of evaluation based on thorough knowledge of the applicant's past performance, academic abilities and potential; and
- if accepted, complete the UAB medical history questionnaire and physical, provide proof of required immunizations, and receive satisfactory screening by the UAB Medical Center Student Health Service.
Requirements for Admission: In addition to the Graduate School's standards, applicants must have an undergraduate degree with a strong science background. All applications will be reviewed by the Ph.D. in Nutrition Sciences Program Admissions Committee, and a recommendation will be made to the Graduate School.
Essential Requirements: Fundamental tasks, behaviors, and abilities necessary to successfully complete the academic and clinical requirements of the program and to satisfy licensure/certification requirements, if any, have been outlined and are available upon request from the academic program office. Students requesting disability accommodations must do so by filing a disability accommodation request in writing with the Disability Support Services Office.
Program of Study: Candidates for the Ph.D. degree are expected to accomplish the following:
- complete 33 semester hours in a core curriculum covering biochemistry, physiology, clinical and molecular biology aspects of
nutrition and statistics and research design;
- complete a minimum of 24 additional semester hours of nutrition sciences courses and courses supporting the study of
nutrition sciences;
- pass a written comprehensive examination;
- author at least two research papers which have been accepted for publication by peer-reviewed scientific journals (student must be first author of at least one publication); and
- submit and defend a dissertation reporting results of original scientific research which makes a genuine contribution to the
knowledge of nutrition sciences.
Typical Program
The following information provides an example of the sequence of courses to be taken by a typical student. Electives within and outside the Department are identified by student, advisor and director of the Ph.D. program. (Course requirements are listed in semester credit hours)
Fall Year 1
NTR 718 Nutrition Biochemistry (6)
NTR 725 Nutrition Through Life Span (3)
NTR 790 Seminar (1)
BST 621 Biostatistics (3)
NTR 788 Advanced Nutrition Seminar (1)
NTR 798 Non-dissertation Research (1-3)
Spring Year 1
NTR 736 Research Methods (3)
NTR 726 Consumer Issues in Nutrition (3)
BST 622 Biostatistics (3)
NTR 788 Advanced Nutrition Seminar (1)
NTR 798 Non-dissertation Research (1-3)
Summer Year 1
GRD 717 Ethics (3)
NTR 750 Body Composition and Energy Metabolism* (3)
NTR 798 Non-dissertation Research (1-12)
Fall Year 2
NTR 701 Advanced Medical Nutrition* (3)
NTR 747 Molecular Biology in Nutrition Sciences* (3)
NTR 798 Non-dissertation Research (1-12)
Spring Year 2
NTR 722 Advances in Cancer Research* (3)
NTR 733 Laboratory Instruments and Methods in Nutrition* (3)
NTR 798 Non-dissertation Research (1-12)
Summer Year 2
NTR 699 MS Thesis Research - Students completing M.S. (15)
Year 3
NTR 709 Non-dissertation Research (1-12)
Year 4
NTR 798 Non-dissertation Research (1-12)
*Electives courses that are highly recommended
For further information, contact:
Program Director
Ph.D. in Nutrition Sciences Program
School of Health Professions
Webb Building, Room 449
1675 University Boulevard
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama 35294-3360
Telephone: (205) 975-2029
E-mail:
phdntr@uab.edu