Dietetics (B.S.)
An admissions moratorium is currently in effect for this program.
The coordinated program in dietetics is designed to prepare registration-eligible practitioners. The special body of knowledge for the profession is the science of nutrition; skills for delivery of nutritional care encompass a number of closely-allied fields, such as food science, business, management, psychology, social sciences, economics, and communication. The strong base in science and other areas is developed through selection of relevant prerequisite and supporting cognate courses, and in the professional courses. Graduates of the program receive a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics degree and are eligible to write the national registration examination for professional certification without the need for a separate internship. The dietetics program is currently granted accreditation status by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), a specialized accrediting body recognized by The Council on Post-secondary Accreditation and the United States Department of Education. Students may contact ACEND via their webpage or by calling 312-899-0040 to find out the accreditation status of any dietetic program.
Admission Requirements
Admission to this program is competitive and open only to students with at least junior standing in the College after completion of the prerequisite courses cited below. Program application should be made by April 1 of the winter semester preceding the fall semester of anticipated entry into the program. Transfer and post-baccalaureate students must meet the pre-professional science requirements (see courses, below) before acceptance into the program. Transferability of credit must be verified by the College advisors and Dietetics faculty. Course material fees cover all the additional costs relating to the professional component of the program. However, students are responsible for the costs associated with physical examination, lab coat, texts and transportation.
Prerequisite Courses
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
ANT 1100 | Introduction to Anthropology | 3 |
or SOC 1010 | Understanding Human Society | |
BIO 1510 | Basic Life Mechanisms | 3 |
BIO 2200 | Introductory Microbiology | 5 |
BIO 2870 | Anatomy and Physiology | 5 |
CHM 1100 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
CHM 1130 | General Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 |
CHM 1240 | Organic Chemistry I | 4 |
CHM 1250 | Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 |
CHM 2220 | Organic Chemistry II | 4 |
ECO 2010 | Principles of Microeconomics | 4 |
MGT 2530 | Management of Organizational Behavior | 3 |
NFS 2030 | Nutrition and Health | 3 |
NFS 2130 | Introductory Food Science | 3 |
NFS 2140 | Introductory Food Science Laboratory | 1 |
NFS 2220 | Nutrition Laboratory | 1 |
NFS 3230 | Human Nutrition | 3-4 |
PSY 1020 | Elements of Psychology | 3 |
STA 1020 | Elementary Statistics | 3 |
Total Credits | 54-55 |
Program Requirements
Candidates must complete 120 credits in course work including satisfaction of the University General Education Requirements and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Group Requirements, as well as the departmental major requirements cited below. All course work must be completed in accordance with the regulations of the University and the College governing undergraduate scholarship and degrees.
Dietetics Sequence
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
NFS 4100 | Nutrition Care Process I | 2 |
NFS 4120 | Nutrition Care Process II | 2 |
NFS 4150 | Advanced Food Science | 3 |
NFS 4200 | Dietetic Practice I | 4 |
NFS 4210 | Dietetic Practice II | 10 |
NFS 4220 | Dietetic Practice III | 10 |
NFS 4230 | Macronutrient Metabolism | 3 |
NFS 4231 | Human Nutrition: Micronutrients | 3 |
NFS 5200 | Advanced Dietetics | 3 |
NFS 5220 | Community Nutrition | 2 |
NFS 5250 | Nutrition and Disease | 4 |
NFS 5350 | Organization and Management of Food Service Systems | 4 |
NFS 5360 | Management of Nutritional Care and Services | 3 |
NFS 6860 | Controversial Issues in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics | 2 |
Total Credits | 55 |
Nutrition and Food Science Honors Program
Admission: A minimum grade point average (g.p.a.) of 3.3 is required for enrollment in the Department of Nutrition and Food Science Honors program. Prospective Honors students should consult with an advisor in the Department during the freshman year. Transfer students or others with a Nutrition and Food Science g.p.a. of 3.5 may be accepted into the program without having taken the NFS 3230 Honors section.
Honors Requirements
- Enroll in the Honors section of NFS 3230.
- Complete at least one HON 42XX seminar.
- Complete at least three credits in an independent research project (NFS 5990).
- Complete at least fifteen credits in honors-designated course work, including the above. The additional course work may be obtained in this department by taking an Honors option of upper-level NFS courses, or in any other department of the College.
Students must have an overall grade point average of 3.3 and maintain an overall grade point average of at least 3.0 in the major to be awarded the Honors Degree.