Major
Minor
View/Print All Courses
View Faculty
Printer-Friendly Version
Department Description
How to Apply
Degree Requirements for Nutritional Sciences Option
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Nutritional Scientists apply knowledge from physiology, biochemistry and chemistry to understand digestion of food, absorption and use of nutrients by the body, nutrients requirements at different stages of life, and the effects of nutrient deficiencies and excesses. They also draw on the social sciences to understand the socio-cultural, psychological, economic and political factors influencing choices of food. Nutritional Scientists study the relationship between diet and chronic disease, monitor nutritional content of the American food supply, define and help to alleviate food and nutritional problems throughout the world, and work with other health professionals in promoting health and well-being for people of all ages.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Some of the career opportunities with a B.S. degree in Nutritional Sciences include: Working for the food industry in quality assurance laboratories, research, or in food product development. Working in technical services and/or sales for food ingredient suppliers or for food processing equipment manufacturers. Working with food regulation and inspection for state or local agencies, the federal government or international organizations. Working with a research team in pharmaceutical or biotechnology industries, medical centers or universities. Apply to graduate school to earn a M.S. or Ph.D. in nutrition, which can lead to careers in teaching, research, public health or private industry or apply to medical school or other health-related fields.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS AND CURRICULUM
The course offerings and the list of course requirements established by the Department of Clinical Laboratory and Nutritional Sciences have been designed to conform to two criteria. First, there is a set of general requirements for a degree established by the University: 120 total credits, including the General Education Course requirements. Second, there are the specific course requirements for the major, leading to a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Nutritional Sciences major. These total approximately 84 credits.
All students complete a basic core of courses, which provide an understanding of foods and their nutritional content, the physiological and biochemical portions of nutrients in the body, and the effects of inadequate or excessive intake of nutrients. In preparation for these courses, students must also complete courses in Physiological Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Anatomy and Physiology, and Statistics.
View the complete course of study
