Undergraduate Programs

Undergraduate Programs

The Department, established in 1970, has a distinguished record of teaching, research, and public service. Faculty, professional, and support staff are dedicated to excellence in undergraduate education. Each student has the opportunity for personal growth through the balance of strong academic programs, independent studies, field experiences, and for those who meet the requirements the department’s Honors Program. Students are encouraged to develop team building and leadership skills by participating in student organizations, independent studies, and field experiences.

Nutritional Sciences (NUSC) majors integrate knowledge of the use of foods and nutrients by cells, individuals, and communities to promote optimal health and treatment of disease. The Department offers two areas of emphasis; Dietetics (Didactic Program) and Nutritional Sciences, through which students can obtain their Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Nutritional Sciences. 

Students not admitted to the University as Nutritional Sciences majors may petition into this major during the first two weeks of each semester. The following petition requirements must be met for consideration of a change into the Nutritional Sciences major:

1. Earned at least a C in CHEM 1124Q or CHEM 1127Q, and a C- in CHEM 2241 or CHEM 2243
2. Earned at least a B in NUSC 1165 and NUSC 2200

NUSC majors enrolled in the Nutritional Sciences option integrate the Nutritional Sciences Core Requirements with additional courses in the laboratory or behavioral sciences. Students interested in medicine, dentistry, or other health-related professions will work with faculty advisors to select appropriate supporting courses to meet their academic goals. This option may also lead to a career in academia, government, community nutrition and public health agencies, and the food, dietary supplement or pharmaceutical industry.

What can I do with a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Nutritional Sciences?

Nutrition has a wide spectrum of application in the world today. Following are some areas where nutrition serves as either primary or preparatory education:

• Dietetics, including clinical nutrition, community nutrition, education, food service management, business, and media
• Medicine and other related health professions requiring a solid background in the sciences and general humanities
• Food Industry and Business, including product development, entrepreneurism, management, and research
• Nutrition Education, teaching both on an academic level as well as through community outreach programs
• Health and Human Services, serving cities and communities through food-related organizations or programs
• International Nutrition, working with nutrition issues related to hunger, food policy, and food safety in third-world countries
• Nutritional research, incorporating knowledge from disciplines such as chemistry, biology, genetics, physiology, psychology, and sociology

Many Nutritional Sciences students continue their education in a variety of graduate programs after completing their Bachelor's Degree.

Click here for more information about our Didactic Program in Dietetics.
Didactic Program Director: Rhonda Brownbill (rhonda.brownbill@uconn.edu)

How can I pursue a career as a Registered Dietitian?

Unsure about your specific interests?

The field of nutrition is supported by many academic disciplines. Students are encouraged to develop a program that best fits their needs. A core set of general science and nutrition courses serves as a foundation to the major. Program flexibility allows students the freedom to explore in depth new interests and participate in co-curricular activities.

Faculty Advisors

Upon entering the program, each student is assigned a faculty member who serves as an academic advisor and a resource for career development. The relationships that students develop with faculty members and other students in the department provide students in Nutritional Sciences a small college feel while retaining the benefits of a large university. Faculty interests and research are quite diverse including nutritional biochemistry, clinical nutrition, nutrition for exercise and sport, international nutrition, community nutrition, food science, and food service management; this breadth of expertise allows students to explore many options.

What courses will I be taking?

• Nutritional Sciences Core Requirements:
  Nutritional Sciences' students must complete the following courses:
  

• Additional Departmental Courses Offered

Preparing for Your Career Goals

All students in the department receive a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Nutritional Sciences. 

The Department offers two areas of emphasis.  Each area follows a different curriculum including non-departmental courses, in order to best prepare students for their future goals.

Cost to Students
Current tuition and fees per year for full time students can be found here.

Additional Didactic Program in Dietetics Expenses:

* Lab fees for NUSC 3234 ($30) and NUSC 3271 ($30), CPFM exam ($28), Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics student membership ($50) and fee for attendance at a professional meeting (variable) is not included

Note: application to dietetic internships requires several fees, ($50 to D and D digital, fee to use DICAS is $40 for the first application submitted and $20 for each additional application and each internship has their own application fee, all of which are non-refundable)

Dietetics
Dietetics is a field in which principles of food and nutrition are applied to the health and well being of individuals. Graduates of this option meet the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics's Didactic Program in Dietetics requirements.  If a student wishes to become a registered dietitian, he/she must apply for and complete a competitive dietetic internship.  Applications to dietetic internships take place in the senior year.  A student must successfully complete both an accredited didactic program, such as the one in Nutritional Sciences, and a dietetic internship before he/she is able to sit for the national registration examination.  After successful completion, he/she is a registered dietitian. (R.D.) Dietitians work in a variety of settings including hospitals, extended care facilities, community agencies, food service, and private practice.

Didactic Program in Dietetics Information.

Didactic Plan of Study. (pdf)
Plan of Study Checklist. (pdf)
Approved Course Substitutes. (pdf)
Declaration Form for Declaring the Didactic Concentration in Nutritional Sciences. (pdf)
Didactic Program Handbook. (pdf)

More information from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

The Dietetics curriculum is program accredited by the Accredidation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the American Dietetics Association (Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics), 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995, (800) 877-1600.

Nutritional Sciences
The Nutritional Sciences curriculum is generally more flexible than the Dietetic curriculum.  Students in this option integrate the Nutritional Sciences core requirements with additional courses in the laboratory or behavioral sciences. The curriculum can be designed to meet entrance requirements for medical and other graduate school programs.  Students interested in medicine, dentistry, or other health-related professions will work with faculty advisors to select appropriate supporting courses to meet his/her goals. The Nutritional Sciences option may also lead to a career in the pharmaceutical or food industry, government, or academia.

Related Minors

Food Science
This minor addresses food science as an academic discipline which utilizes approaches for solving applied science problems associated with the acquisition and processing of food.

Students in this minor must pass:

• ANSC 3343, ANSC 4341 and NUSC 3233

Also, students need to complete additional courses from the following to meet the 15 credit total minimum requirement:

• ANSC/NUSC 1645; ANSC 4642; ANSC 5641; ARE 1150; NUSC 1165, NUSC 1167, NUSC 3234

Students must earn a combined grade point average of 2.5 or higher for all courses listed above. The minor is offered by the Departments of Animal Science and Nutritional Sciences.

Students interested in pursuing this minor should contact Dr. Richard Bruno at Richard.Bruno@uconn.edu

Nutrition for Exercise and Sport
This minor has been established in cooperation with the Departments of Kinesiology and Allied Health.  Students interested in earning the minor will need to complete prerequisite coursework for required courses. These include NUSC 1165, PNB 2264, 2265 and MCB 2000.   All students are required to complete a minimum of 18 credits for the minor.

Students in this minor must complete: NUSC 4236, 4250; EKIN 4500, 4510; and any two of the following courses for an additional 6 credits: NUSC 2241, 4299; EKIN 3099, 3520, 3530; AH 3231 or 3234.
The minor is offered jointly the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Neag School of Education. Students who are interested in pursuing this minor should contact Dr. Nancy Rodriguez at: Nancy.Rodriguez@uconn.edu

What opportunities for further involvement exist?

Application of classroom knowledge and development of personal skills is highly encouraged in the Department of Nutritional Sciences.  The department offers many opportunities for further educational enrichment. 

(ActNow) Association of Community Teaching for Nutritional Outreach and Wellness
Our purpose is to enter our community schools in hopes of bringing nutrition education to our nation's youngest citizens. The members of our organization are community volunteers. Through our "Students Teaching Students" program, we strive to affect the current overweight and obesity epidemic by providing upbeat, fun, and interactive lessons on the fundamentals of nutrition.

Please contact Laura Joseph (laura.joseph@uconn.edu) for more information.

UConn Nutrition Club.
This student-led organization promotes student participation in nutrition related activities for the purpose of furthering nutrition knowledge, promoting healthful living, and enhancing career development.  It is an excellent opportunity to reach out to the campus and community, as well as to promote leadership training. Activities include holiday food drives, activities for National Nutrition Month, soup kitchen volunteering, various fundraisers, and participation in professional meetings.

Dues are $10 per year. Please contact the co-presidents, Ellen Pudney and Mike Levin at uconnnutritionclub@gmail.com for more information.

Click here to visit the Nutrition Club page.

Community Outreach. 
There are many outreach programs that are based in the department of Nutritional Sciences. For example Husky Reads is a State-recognized program that allows students to work with children in Hartford’s hospital waiting rooms and is a great way for nutrition students to gain valuable communication skills working with diverse poulations. 

Undergraduate Research & Honors Programs. 
The Nutritional Science Honors Program begins in the junior year.  Admissions is by recommendation of the Department based on the student’s cumulative GPA (3.4 or above) and academic performance.  Participation in the program involves completion of four honors courses as well as a senior thesis; it allows students to become more closely involved in current departmental research and offers the possibility of initiating their own independent studies.  Non-honors students are also encouraged to seek participation in current research studies. 

Field experiences. 
Students who participate in community outreach, in a food service setting or in a hospital setting may obtain credit for these experiences through designated experiential courses:

• NUSC 3180: Experience in Community Nutrition
• NUSC 3782: Experience in Food Service System
• NUSC 3823: Experience in Medical Nutrition Therapy

News and Updates

Fall 2011 Seminar Series
A Seminar Series Presented by the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Connecticut
More Information

Scholarships

Please go to the CANR Scholarships and Financial Aid page for Scholarship information

Positions Open

FHI Assistant Research Professor
Nutritional Sciences, 11month, non-tenure track—Screening will begin April 15, 2011 and continue until the position is filled.