The human nutrition discipline includes studying the processes by which we assimilate nutrients and
dietary nutrient factors that influence health. Nutritional Science provides excellent preparation for those individuals in preprofessional programs (premedicine, predentistry, prelaw) or for an advanced degree (MS, PhD) in nutritional or biological sciences.
Course work is rigorous but stimulating and relevant. Students have several opportunities to research and study topics of special interest in various required classes.
Some assistantships and scholarships are offered through the Department of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science. There are also college, university, private and federal sources for financial help.
The nutritional science major is for students planning to pursue graduate or professional education. Graduates are accepted to MS and PhD programs in most biological sciences, as well as to professional schools of medicine, dentistry,
pharmacy, podiatry, law and others. The bachelor's degree is thus a "preprofessional" degree. Some master's degree graduates find employment as instructors in junior colleges. Others find work in research facilities or public nutrition programs. This major provides few job opportunities for those with only a B.S. degree. (See faculty advisor for additional career choices.)
Faculty members provide students opportunities to assist in on-going research projects, either on a voluntary or paid research assistantship basis. Some faculty research involves interaction with human subjects, through nutrition surveys or interviews. Qualified upper-division students may be hired as graders or teaching assistants for lowerdivision classes. Opportunities range from a few hours of "on call" reading during the semester to 20 hours per week teaching assistantships.
Chem 105* General College Chemistry
Chem 106 General College Chemistry
Chem 107 General College Chemistry Lab