Nutrition Major: Nutritional Sciences Option (B.S.)

Nutrition Major: Nutritional Sciences Option (B.S.)

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The nutrition program celebrated 100 years of graduates in 2022 and commemorated the milestone with special events and stories thoughout the year. Learn more here.

At UNH, you have three curriculum options (Dietetics Option, Nutrition and Wellness Option, Nutritional Sciences Option) for pursuing a bachelor's degree in nutrition. Students typically declare an option within the nutrition major no later than the second semester of their sophomore year.

Read more about our Nutritional Sciences option below.

What is the study of nutritional sciences? 

The nutritional sciences involve the study of biology, chemistry, physiology, nutrition, biochemistry and physics, as well as core courses in nutritional assessment, life cycle nutrition, nutrition and health and nutrition careers. Students completing the degree program are prepared for entry into professional schools of medicine, dentistry, nursing and physical therapy, graduate school, or technically oriented jobs in science.  

Why study nutritional sciences at UNH? 

Students in UNH’s nutritional sciences program not only benefit from a comprehensive curriculum, they also have opportunities to apply what they’re learning during internships and research in both clinical and non-clinical settings. Our highly engaged faculty are experts in the nutritional sciences field and provide individualized guidance tailored to each student’s goals, whether they plan to continue their formal education or enter the workforce following graduation. The program also offers the UNH-in-Italy program, which allows students to experience the medieval city of Ascoli Piceno while studying English-language courses that explore the links between food culture, sustainable agriculture and the policies and issues impacting the food system.

Potential careers 

  • Biotechnology 
  • Clinical nutrition 
  • Consulting and private practice 
  • Education 
  • Food and nutrition management 
  • Government 
  • Research

Contact

Department of Agriculture, Nutrition, and Food Systems
University of New Hampshire
Kendall Hall
129 Main Street
Durham, NH 03824
(603) 862-2130
  • Issues Commendation for 100 Years of Graduates
     
    Issues Commendation for 100 Years of Graduates
     
  • A future focused on helping people become in tune with their bodies
    Joshua Morrison '23 is a nutrition: nutritional sciences option major from Hanson, Massachusetts.
    A future focused on helping people become in tune with their bodies
    Joshua Morrison '23 is a nutrition: nutritional sciences option major from Hanson, Massachusetts.
  • Diving into Diet and Mental Health
    Sophie Kenny '19, '20G, '22G earned her bachelor’s degree in nutrition: nutrition and wellness and a graduate certificate in the didactic program in dietetics from UNH and is now a master’s student in nutritional sciences at the university.
    Diving into Diet and Mental Health
    Sophie Kenny '19, '20G, '22G earned her bachelor’s degree in nutrition: nutrition and wellness and a graduate certificate in the didactic program in dietetics from UNH and is now a master’s student in nutritional sciences at the university.
  • Nutrition Degree Became the Foundation of Medical Career
    Daniel Kahn graduated from UNH in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in Nutritional Sciences. The only person in his immediate family in the healthcare field, Daniel has been a nurse practitioner since 2016.
    Nutrition Degree Became the Foundation of Medical Career
    Daniel Kahn graduated from UNH in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in Nutritional Sciences. The only person in his immediate family in the healthcare field, Daniel has been a nurse practitioner since 2016.
  • Nutrition Degree Prepared Alum for Chiropractic Career
    George Jumpp graduated in 2014 with a degree in nutritional sciences and went on to earn a doctorate in chiropractic. An accomplished member of UNH’s track team, George credits chiropractic care with contributing to his success as an athlete. The apex of George’s track career came unexpectedly on...
    Nutrition Degree Prepared Alum for Chiropractic Career
    George Jumpp graduated in 2014 with a degree in nutritional sciences and went on to earn a doctorate in chiropractic. An accomplished member of UNH’s track team, George credits chiropractic care with contributing to his success as an athlete. The apex of George’s track career came unexpectedly on...

Curriculum & Requirements

Nutrition is the study of how nutrients and food components function at molecular, cellular, and whole-body levels to impact human health and disease. Students are grounded in fundamental sciences as they develop nutrition-specific competencies in nutrition and health, foods, nutritional assessment, wellness, life cycle nutrition, and/or metabolic biochemistry.

The nutrition program prepares students for entry-level positions in health care, education, or the biotechnology industry, or entry into post-baccalaureate professional programs. Nutrition faculty have expertise in clinical nutrition, sports nutrition, and food science, as well as assessing risk factors of chronic disease risk (i.e. obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular, cognitive) in diverse populations (pediatric, young adult, older adult).

Students in the Nutritional Sciences option most often enroll in a post-graduate educational degree program (e.g., medical school, graduate school, physician assistant program, etc.) or enter the biomedical/biotechnology workplace.

SAMPLE Course Sequence for Nutritional Science

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
NUTR 400 Nutrition in Health and Well Being 4
NUTR 401 Professional Perspectives on Nutrition 1
ENGL 401 First-Year Writing 4
BIOL 411 Introductory Biology: Molecular and Cellular 4
CHEM 403 General Chemistry I 4
 Credits17
Spring
NUTR 476 Nutritional Assessment 4
BIOL 412 Introductory Biology: Evolution, Biodiversity and Ecology 4
CHEM 404 General Chemistry II 4
MATH 424B Calculus for Life Sciences 4
 Credits16
Second Year
Fall
CHEM 545
CHEM 546
Organic Chemistry
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory
5
BMS 507 Human Anatomy and Physiology I 4
Select one of the following: 4
BIOL 528
Applied Biostatistics I
PSYC 402
Statistics in Psychology
SOC 402
Statistics
Discovery Course 4
 Credits17
Spring
BMS 503
BMS 504
General Microbiology
and General Microbiology Laboratory
5
BMS 508 Human Anatomy and Physiology II 4
SOC 400
or PSYC 401
Introductory Sociology
or Introduction to Psychology
4
Elective (any course) 4
 Credits17
Third Year
Fall
GEN 604 Principles of Genetics 4
Nutrition Elective 2-4
Discovery Course 4
Elective (any course) 4
 Credits14-16
Spring
NUTR 650 Life Cycle Nutrition 4
BMCB 658
BMCB 659
General Biochemistry
and General Biochemistry Lab
5
Discovery Course 4
Nutrition Elective 2-4
 Credits15-17
Fourth Year
Fall
NUTR 750 Nutritional Biochemistry 4
Discovery Course 4
Elective (any course) 4
Elective (any course) 4
 Credits16
Spring
NUTR 751 Nutritional Biochemistry of Micronutrients 4
600 or 700-Level Elective Outside the Major 4
Discovery Course 4
Elective (any course) 4
 Credits16
 Total Credits128-132

A minimum grade of C- or above is required in all NUTR courses required by the major.

Foundation Courses
BMS 507Human Anatomy and Physiology I4
BMS 508Human Anatomy and Physiology II4
SOC 400Introductory Sociology4
or PSYC 401 Introduction to Psychology
Choose ONE statistics course:4
BIOL 528
Applied Biostatistics I
PSYC 402
Statistics in Psychology
SOC 402
Statistics
Science Core Courses
BIOL 411Introductory Biology: Molecular and Cellular4
BIOL 412Introductory Biology: Evolution, Biodiversity and Ecology4
BMCB 658
BMCB 659
General Biochemistry
and General Biochemistry Lab
5
BMS 503
BMS 504
General Microbiology
and General Microbiology Laboratory
5
CHEM 403General Chemistry I4
CHEM 404General Chemistry II4
CHEM 545
CHEM 546
Organic Chemistry
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory
5
GEN 604Principles of Genetics4
Nutrition Core Courses
NUTR 400Nutrition in Health and Well Being4
NUTR 401Professional Perspectives on Nutrition1
NUTR 476Nutritional Assessment4
NUTR 650Life Cycle Nutrition4
Nutritional Science Option Courses
MATH 424BCalculus for Life Sciences4
NUTR 750Nutritional Biochemistry4
NUTR 751Nutritional Biochemistry of Micronutrients4
Major Elective Courses
Two nutrition Electives and a third Elective outside the major are chosen in consultation with the student's advisor, based on the student's career interests.
Choose 2 NUTR courses (minimum 8 credits)
NUTR 403Culinary Arts Skills Development4
NUTR 405Food and Society4
NUTR 504Managerial Skills in Dietetics4
NUTR 506Nutrition and Wellness4
NUTR 525Food and Culture in Italy4
NUTR 530Critical Analysis in Food Studies4
NUTR 535History of Food in Italy4
NUTR 546Nutrition in Exercise and Sports4
NUTR 550Food Science: Principle and Practice4
NUTR 560Introduction to Research in Nutrition2
NUTR 595Mediterranean Diet and Culture4
NUTR 600Field Experience in Nutrition1-4
NUTR 610Nutrition Education and Counseling4
NUTR 625From Farm to the Italian Table4
NUTR 709Nutritional Epidemiology4
NUTR 710Advanced Diabetes Care2
NUTR 720Community Nutrition4
NUTR 730From Seed to Sea: Examining Sustainable Food Systems4
NUTR 740Nutrition for Children with Special Needs4
NUTR 755
NUTR 758
Treatment of Adult Obesity
and Practicum in Weight Management
5
NUTR #760
NUTR #761
Research Experience Nutrition I
and Research Experience Nutrition II
4
NUTR 773Clinical Nutrition4
NUTR 775Practical Applications in Medical Nutrition Therapy4
NUTR 780Critical Issues in Nutrition4
NUTR 790Undergraduate Teaching Experience1-2
Elective Outside the Major at 600- or 700-Level (4 credits)

Nutritional Science Capstone Experience

One capstone experience, supervised and approved within the major, is required of all seniors. The capstone explores areas of interest based on the integration of prior learning. The capstone requirement for Nutritional Sciences students is satisfied through the completion of NUTR 720 Community Nutrition or NUTR 751 Nutritional Biochemistry of Micronutrients in Nutrition during their senior year. 

NOTE: NUTR 751 Nutritional Biochemistry of Micronutrients is a required course; it will only fulfill the university's capstone requirement if taken during the student's senior year.

  • Demonstrate how to locate, interpret, evaluate and use professional literature to make ethical, evidence-based conclusions and decisions.
  • Use current information technologies to locate and apply evidence-based guidelines and protocols.
  • Apply critical thinking skills.
  • Demonstrate effective and professional oral and written communication and documentation.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of cultural competence/sensitivity.
  • Describe basic concepts of nutritional genomics.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific method and how it is used to generate knowledge in nutrition science.

Explore Program Details

Initial Admission to the major as a First-year or Transfer Student

Students entering the University as first-year or transfer students may declare Nutrition as part of the UNH admission process.  First-year and transfer students who are admitted directly into Nutrition will be assigned an academic faculty advisor who will work with you throughout your course of study.

Declaring the Major as a Continuing Student within UNH

We welcome applications from UNH students who wish to transfer to the Nutrition Major from other degree programs. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

The following guidelines will be used in review of submissions from UNH students wishing to transfer into the Nutrition Program.

Transfer Requirements for Existing UNH Students

All students wishing to transfer into the Nutrition Program must have:

  1. Earned a minimum of 12 UNH credits
  2. Completed or be enrolled in NUTR 400 and NUTR 401

All students may transfer into one of the following:

  • Nutrition: No Option
  • Nutrition: Nutrition & Wellness
  • Nutrition: Nutritional Sciences

Students interested in transferring into the Nutrition: Dietetics Option, must also meet the following 3 requirements:

  1. Minimum GPA of 3.2
  2. Minimum earned grade in introductory nutrition (e.g. NUTR 400) = B
  3. Minimum earned grade in one semester of chemistry w/lab or anatomy/physiology with lab = C+

To facilitate a change of major into Nutrition, students will submit an application requesting the transfer from another degree program.

 

Students admitted to the Nutrition major at UNH are required to declare, and be formally admitted into, one of the following options:

Nutrition majors designate an option once they have successfully completed: 1) NUTR 400, 2) NUTR 401, & 3) BMS 507 or CHEM 403 (CHEM 411 for Wellness). The Fall and Spring semester deadlines are September 15th and February 15th, respectively.

Option Application for Current Nutrition Majors

CHANAS is a wonderful venue for those interested in undergraduate and graduate research projects. Each semester UNH students work as research assistants for the project and, in the process, gain valuable research and clinical skills. 

CHANAS

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