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The objectives of the Doctoral Program in Nutrition are to prepare individuals to conduct original research in nutrition as it relates to the health sciences; to teach in medical universities, colleges and graduate schools; and to pursue careers in basic and translational research at the national and international level. Highly qualified baccalaureate degree holders are considered for direct admission to the Doctoral Program. During the first year, the doctoral program consists of advanced courses and seminars in nutrition and molecular biology, elective courses, laboratory work and exploration of research opportunities for the dissertation topic. The second year includes additional courses, if needed; research, teaching, and seminar assignments; completion of the Qualifying Examination and initial meeting with the Doctoral Dissertation Advisory Committee. Students meet at least once or preferably twice yearly with their Doctoral Dissertation Advisory Committee in anticipation of preparation and submission of the dissertation. Ideally, at the end of the fifth or sixth year the research is completed and the dissertation is defended and deposited with the University.

Thesis Research Training is available in cellular and biological aspects of: (1) vitamin A and reinoids; (2) vitamin D and calcium metabolism; (3) lipids and lipoproteins; (4) atherogenesis and vascular cell biology; (5) cancer; (6) obesity, energy balance, and diabetes; (7) cell biology and immunology in relation to nutrition; (8) receptors; (9) nutrition in growth and development; (10) cellular signaling; (11) molecular epidemiology. All nutritional basic science students are expected to acquire expertise and knowledge in the areas of molecular and cell biology, human physiology and metabolism, general and nutritional biochemistry, and biostatistics.

Exposure to training in Clinical Nutrition and Public Health/Preventive Medicine: Students are also provided opportunities for rotations and lectures (in part through Reviews in Nutrition) in underlying metabolic and physiologic derangements associated with clinical nutrition disorders. Emphasis is on problems related to obesity, atherosclerosis, diabetes, trauma, sepsis, infant nutrition, gastrointestinal disease, renal failure, parental nutrition, and preventive nutrition. Areas of study in Public Health include socioeconomic, cultural, political factors that influence food availability and consumption and nutritional status. The biosocial determinants of nutritional risk and broad social and behavioral consequences produced by nutritional disease are examined. The role of nutrition in health promotion and disease prevention is a major priority area. The relation between nutrition and the availability and distribution of different types of health services and the impact of nutritional or nutrition-related programs on specific morbidity and mortality rates, as well as on functional outcomes, also receive attention.

Application forms can be obtained from the Office of Graduate Affairs, Columbia University, 701 West 168th Street, Room 406, New York, N.Y. 10032, E-mail: GSASatPandS@columbia.edu (212) 305-8058, Fax (212) 305-1031. Information concerning the doctoral program can be obtained from the Institute of Human Nutrition, 630 West 168th St., PH 15 East 1512, New York, NY 10032; Tel: 212-305-4808; Fax: 212-305-3079; E-mail: nutrition@columbia.edu

1. General GRE is required and results of one subject GRE are also recommended.
   
2. A personal interview, if possible.