Profile: MSc food science, Alabama a and m university.

1) Why did you choose this school/ why did you decide to go to this school/ why did you choose
Alabama over Delaware

Answer: I choose AAMU because it offers a combination of both food safety and food toxicology as a
concentration which is my area of interest in food science. I’m particularly interested in these two areas
because they have been identified as a threat to public health in Nigeria.

I choose AAMU because the Food and Animal Science department offers an exciting research in food
safety and food toxicology. I hope to work on “Improving on-farm food safety practices and nutritional
toxicology for food producers in sub-saharan Africa” with Professor Judith Boateng. This research has the
potential to tackle challenges of food processing and food safety issues which have been identified as a
problem in Nigeria.

Why food microbiology and food toxicology

Food toxicology emphasizes on substances found in food that might be harmful to human when
consumed. Food safety focuses on the pathogenic bacteria and the toxins they produce that can possibly
cause food poisoning. By studying these two areas, I will be able to utilize the skills and knowledge which
I would have learnt in helping my country to tackle the food safety issues.
Answer: Also, during the period of application, I was in contact with the graduate chair, where I got to
know that AAMU offers a graduate cooperative program. I will be to apply classroom knowledge to the
field. I believe it will give me the hands on experience required to be more competitive when I return
home.

Answer: Presently in Nigeria, chicken and turkey are the leading cause of food poisoning. There is this
ongoing research aimed at controlling salmonella enterica in poultry using blends of organic acid. I really
want to be in this research work because this research work will help me be able to contribute my quota
to find effective ways of controlling this foodborne pathogen.
2) How did you hear about this school?

Answer: I first knew about AAMU through a publication on food safety in the journal of Food science .I
also made use of professional sites such as Institute of food science & technology, international
association for food protection, to come up with list of schools offering masters in food science, then I
came up with 3 schools I applied to.

3) What will this course do for you?

Answer: In Nigeria, we are dealing with a lot of food safety issues. Several cases of foodborne illness and
deaths outbreaks has been recorded. Therefore, this course will give me an in-depth knowledge of food
science, make me not only understand the causes behind this food borne illness outbreaks but would also
help me in finding suitable measures to controlling food borne pathogens like salmonella, campylobacter,
escherichia coli that causes food poisoning.
4) What will this degree do for you?
Answer: This degree is a career opportunity and it will give me high opportunity of working with regulatory
agencies like NAFDAC. I will be able to utilize the skills and knowledge which I would have learnt in helping
my country to tackle the food safety issues (This is good but you can rephrase it like this)
A Master’s degree in Food Science is a requirement to take up a lecturing position at the University of
Agriculture, Abeokuta. Also NAFDAC is currently embarking on a project to reduce the challenges of
foodborne illnesses facing the country as well as to reduce the rejection of exported Nigerian food
products. The MSc in Food Science will give me the required knowledge and skills needed to tackle the
challenges of foodborne diseases in Nigeria.
5) What is your professional goal or career goal/ what are your plans after study/what will you do after
you graduate /what do you plan to do after the program?
Answer: I plan to come back to Nigeria and work with regulatory agencies like National Agency for Food
and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Federal Ministry of Health. NAFDAC is currently
embarking on a project to reduce the challenges of foodborne illnesses facing the country as well as to
reduce the rejection of Nigerian food products being exported. Which is a very huge project that will go
on for so many years. It is the best platform for me to apply all the knowledge and skills I would have
acquired. I would also like to educate the public and raise public awareness on how diseases associated
with foodborne illness and deaths can be prevented.

6) Tell me about your study plan and how applicable are the courses to your goal
The course is a 30 credit course which requires completion of 24 credits hour of coursework and 6 credit
hour of research thesis. I will be taking courses like Food Microbiology, Regulation of Food Safety and
Quality, Food Quality Assurance, Food Enzymes, Food Microbiological Techniques, Food Toxicology, Food
Analysis, Food Processing.
I will be able to learn the role microorganisms play in foods pertaining to processing, preservation and
spoilage, learn how microorganism in food system can be examined analytically. And also understand the
history of food laws and regulations and how these regulatory agencies carry out their assigned duties.
7) Why not do the course in Nigeria:
Answer: In USA, widespread outbreaks of food-borne illness are rare and usually quickly controlled by
carrying out several researches. Also, academic experience in USA is highly valued and well respected
especially in Nigeria.
8) What do you want from a master’s degree / why do you need a master’s degree/Why did you decide
to go for masters now?
Answer: The first degree is not competitive enough and I strongly believe that I will be more competitive
and have a more marketable resume with a master’s degree. (This is so wrong. Don’t bring this up at all)
I don’t know your circumstances but if I were to answer this, I would say:
A Master’s degree in Food Science is a requirement to take up a lecturing position at the University of
Agriculture, Abeokuta. Also NAFDAC is currently embarking on a project to reduce the challenges of
foodborne illnesses facing the country as well as to reduce the rejection of exported Nigerian food
products. The MSc in Food Science will give me the required knowledge and skills needed to tackle the
challenges of foodborne diseases in Nigeria.