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)
• 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.

• Submit A two-page personal statement of interest specific to the area of flavor chemistry.
• 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.
   • 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.
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. Certified check or money order by mail or electronically - Payable to TWU, sent by mail to:
      TWU Admissions Processing, 304 Administration Drive, Suite 102, Denton, Texas 76204
      (include your full name and ID number).
   3. Cash (no personal checks) - Pay at the Bursar's Office. After paying, bring the receipt to Admissions Processing (down the hall in ACT).
   4. 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
   5. 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.

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.