威斯康星大学麦迪逊分校

Modern nutrition is a multidisciplinary, integrative science, and the Interdepartmental Graduate Program in Nutritional Sciences (IGPNS) has been developed to meet this diversity in approach and objective. Thus, students can focus their training in one of three emphasis groups:

• Biochemical and molecular nutrition,
• Human nutrition, or
• Animal nutrition

The degrees offered are the Master of Science and the Doctor of Philosophy in Nutritional Sciences.

It is the program's goal to provide graduate students interested in nutrition with an opportunity to obtain specialized training in a specific research area and also to obtain a general background in the science and practice of nutrition. The program is sufficiently flexible to allow students with a wide variety of undergraduate degrees to meet the background prerequisites. The program draws on the strengths of faculty in a number of the university's colleges and academic departments to enhance the instructional and research experience.

The training objectives of the IGPNS are to provide students with an understanding of basic nutritional principles as they apply to both humans and animals, to provide them with current knowledge in a specific area of emphasis, to make them aware of the integrative and multidisciplinary nature of nutrition research, and to direct them toward a successful career through the thesis and publications.

Biochemical and molecular nutrition: This emphasis group focuses on the application of biochemical and physiological approaches to the understanding of nutrient function and metabolism in systems ranging from the whole animal to the molecular level.

Human nutrition: This emphasis group takes a comprehensive view of human nutrition with emphasis on the maintenance and promotion of human health. It utilizes diverse research approaches to carry out studies on nutrient requirements, metabolism, and interactions. Research may involve physiological and biochemical studies, animal models and epidemiological, and educational or clinical interventions.

Animal nutrition: This emphasis group takes a comprehensive view of animal nutrition with a focus on expanding understanding of nutrient utilization. Research activities involve both the performance of domestic animals and general comparative nutrition across animal species. Studies may range from applied animal feeding trials to basic studies on nutrient metabolism or integrated whole-animal metabolism with an emphasis on quantification and regulation.

Learning outcomes

• Articulates, critiques, and elaborates the theories, research methods, and approaches to inquiry in nutritional sciences. Specific knowledge areas of focus include intermediary metabolism, functions and metabolism of vitamins and minerals, nutrition-related diseases such as obesity and diabetes, and fundamental principles of epidemiology and nutrition policy.
• Identifies sources and assembles evidence pertaining to questions or challenges in nutritional sciences.
• Selects and/or utilizes the most appropriate methodologies and practices.
• Evaluates or synthesizes information pertaining to questions or challenges in nutritional sciences.
• Communicates clearly in ways appropriate to the field of nutritional science. This includes the composition of primary research and review articles. Demonstrates competent communication in the form of oral and poster presentations.
• Recognizes and applies principles of ethical and professional conduct.