探花楼

探花楼

In as little as 2 years, you can earn your master's degree and be prepared for a career as a food scientist or flavor chemist, specializing in food chemical, microbial analysis or product development.

Program features

A 探花楼 student works in a lab with a flavor chemistry research instrument.
  • Degree completion in as little as 2 years, or 30 credit hours*
  • High quality, affordable education with excellent career preparation
  • Gain expertise in food and flavor chemistry along with strong analytical skills in sensory evaluation, food analysis and microbial analysis
  • Small classes with accessible, knowledgeable and supportive faculty, including a flavor scientist and a microbiologist
  • Courses take place on 

*Individual requirements may vary.

Why Food Science and Flavor Chemistry at 探花楼?

Study in 探花楼's state-of-the-art food science laboratories

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 opportunities

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.=

Career opportunities

Food scientists and flavor chemists are in demand across government agencies and a wide range of industries, including food, beverage, pet food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies. Graduates are well-prepared for careers in areas such as:

Salaries in these fields vary widely. The  lists a median annual income of $82,090 per year for .

Program requirements

In this program, you will complete:

You may also declare a minor with this program. 

A full list of courses and requirements are available in the .

More information and policies about the program are available in the 2022-23 student handbook.

Admission requirements

Admission to the M.S. in Food Science and Flavor Chemistry

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 探花楼 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.

Graduate Admission

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 探花楼  following instructions below.  
  2. Submit transcripts to 探花楼.
    • 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  or  member evaluation service. International transcripts should not be sent directly to 探花楼. 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. 探花楼 Alumni may be eligible for the Alumni Advantage Fee Waiver. Check your eligibility here: /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 探花楼 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 must meet the .

For more information

Xiaofen Du, PhD
Associate Professor
Woodcock Hall 211
xdu@twu.edu
940-898-2667

Apply today

Explore Scholarship Opportunities at Texas Woman鈥檚 University

探花楼 offers more than $21.6 million in scholarships each year. Scholarships are available for undergraduate, graduate and transfer students in all academic areas.

Learn more including how to submit a single application to be considered for all available scholarships.