Start Date:
September 2025
Administrative Unit:
Department of Food Production
Email: food.production@sta.uwi.edu
Phone: 1(868) 662 2002 ext. 83989
Programme Overview
Cocoa Science involves research along the value chain to address productivity increases, postharvest processing and quality
issues, risk mitigation, evaluation and utilization of cocoa genetic resources towards developing new breeding technologies or varieties as well as developing a range of innovative products. The overall goal of the programme is therefore to produce a cadre of professional researchers, who can operate in an interdisciplinary research environment to support the growth and development of the regional fine cocoa industries, while producing value employment opportunities within the new knowledge economy.
The specific objectives include
(1) Creating a cadre of graduates capable of conservation, management and utilization of cocoa genetic resources
(2) Developing geneticists capable of applying modern genetic technologies such as genome wide association studies, QTL mapping, functional assays to validate candidate genes, and genomic selection methodologies in crop improvement
(3) Training postgraduate students in the area of risk mitigation including cutting edge areas such as mitigation of climate change impact, losses due to pest and disease and other food safety risks
(4) Nurturing researchers capable of carrying out multidisciplinary projects dealing with contemporary problems facing the cocoa industry
(5) Developing researchers in cocoa postharvest processing and quality management using conventional and novel tools such as proteomics, metagenomics, metabolomics.
(6) Developing innovators in product and process design to improve market penetration, and or efficiency.
Programme Breakdown
PhD students should complete at least 9 credits of courses.
Appropriate courses for the intended area of research will be assigned by the Director, in liaison with the supervisory team.
COURSE WORK REQUIREMENT:
1 PhD. Thesis
Graduate courses or the equivalent to nine credits from the recommended list below.
BIOL5200 Characteristics of Biodiversity
BIOL5208 Conservation and Management of Biodiversity
AGRI 6620 Statistical Methods
AGBU 6301 Research Methodology
Students will also be exposed to seminars and workshops geared to enhance their skills in oral, written and poster presentations, working towards the ultimate goal to ensure that the work is disseminated to the public as well as other scientists. They will be encouraged to submit at least two journal articles prior to submission of the PhD thesis.
In addition, as per Faculty regulations, all postgraduate research students are required to present at least three seminars at the PhD level before they will be allowed to submit their thesis. These seminars are assessed components of the programme, and candidates are required to formally register.
The course codes for such courses are as follows:
GRSM 8000 Graduate Seminar – PhD
GRSM 8001 Graduate Research Seminar I (mandatory – no credit)
GSRM 8002 Graduate Research Seminar II (mandatory – no credit)
GSRM 8003 Graduate Research Seminar III (mandatory – no credit)
THESIS
PhD degrees are examined by thesis and public oral examination (thesis defense) as per the University regulations.
The degree will be awarded upon completion of the programme, which includes the successful completion of all the required courses, seminars and the submission and successful defense of PhD thesis.
Candidates must complete the thesis (COCS 8000) of the Faculty of Food and Agriculture and may defend his/her thesis at a public oral examination.
Entry Requirements
Candidates with any of the following qualifications will normally be eligible for admission:
- Holders of MPhil degrees awarded from recognized Institutions in Agriculture or related disciplines;
- Applicants with taught MSc degrees in Agriculture or related disciplines with GPA of B+ from recognized Institutions, provided that the MSc programme included a research project worth at least 6 credit hours;
- Students registered in MPhil programmes of the UWI in Cocoa Science who have met the requirements for upgrade in accordance with stipulated guidelines by the Board for Graduate Studies and Research;
- Applicants possessing such other qualifications and experience as the Board for Graduate Studies and Research may deem acceptable.
- Previous experience in research (e.g. through an undergraduate or MSc project) will be given special consideration in assessing a candidate’s suitability for admission. Candidates are expected to develop a research proposal as part of their application, in conjunction with academic staff members in Cocoa Research Centre.
NOTES:
Admission to the PhD programme may be subject to an interview by a panel to include the potential supervisor(s) and the Director of CRC.
Only candidates with both the academic ability and appropriate aptitude will be admitted to the programme.
Where there is more than one suitable applicant for a particular project, admission will be granted on a competitive basis to the best candidate only.