Nutrition Science - BS

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College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences

Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Sciences

About This Degree

Nutrition scientists study the molecular and cellular basis of human health and disease. They integrate principles of nutrition with related sciences, such as anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and medicine. This degree provides students with a solid background in health and life sciences. Students learn how food and nutrients interact with the human body to support health and physical performance.

For more information about Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Sciences, see the website.
Admitted and current students must meet with an advisor, dawnetta.mahnken@usu.edu, 435-797-2282.
Log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.
The highest math requirement for this degree is MATH 1050 - College Algebra (QL) .

Minimum University Requirements

Total Credits: 120
Credits of C- or better: 100
Total credits taken through USU: 30
Total major required credits taken at USU: 10
Minimum Grade Point Average (many majors require a higher GPA): 2.0 GPA
Credits of upper-division courses (#3000 or above): 40
Upper-division credits taken at USU: 20
General Education Requirements
University Studies Requirements
Undergraduate Degree Requirements

Admission Requirements For This Program

First Year Student: Admitted to USU in Good Standing
Transfer students from other institutions or other programs at USU: 2.75 GPA

Required Courses (42-46 credits)

A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required in all coursework for the major. All NDFS courses require a grade of C- or better.

NDFS 1020 - Science and Application of Human Nutrition (BLS) 3 credit(s)
NDFS 1030 - Introduction to Dietetics and Nutrition Science 1 credit(s)
NDFS 1600 - Medical Terminology for Health Care Professionals 2 credit(s)
NDFS 2020 - Nutrition Throughout the Life Cycle 3 credit(s) or
NDFS 2030 - Nutrition and Physical Performance 2 credit(s) or
NDFS 3080 - Community Nutrition 3 credit(s)
NDFS 4020 - Advanced Nutrition 3 credit(s)
NDFS 5300 - Advanced Micronutrient Nutrition 3 credit(s)
NDFS 5410 - Nutrient Gene Interactions (CI) 3 credit(s)
BIOL 2420 - Human Physiology 4 credit(s) or
BIOL 2320 - Human Anatomy 4 credit(s)
CHEM 1210 - Principles of Chemistry I 4 credit(s)
CHEM 2300 - Principles of Organic Chemistry 3 credit(s) or
CHEM 2310 - Organic Chemistry I 4 credit(s)
CHEM 3700 - Introductory Biochemistry 3 credit(s)
MATH 1050 - College Algebra (QL) 4 credit(s)
PSY 1010 - General Psychology (BSS) 3 credit(s) or
SOC 1010 - Introductory Sociology (BSS) 3 credit(s)
STAT 1040 - Introduction to Statistics (QL) 3 credit(s) or
STAT 1045 - Introduction to Statistics with Elements of Algebra (QL) 5 credit(s) or
STAT 2000 - Statistical Methods (QI) 4 credit(s) or
STAT 3000 - Statistics for Scientists (QI) 3 credit(s)

Nutrition Science Upper Division Elective (6 credits)

Choose 2 of the following courses:

NDFS 3040 - Nutrition Assessment 3 credit(s)
NDFS 3110 - Food, Technology, and Health (DSC) 3 credit(s)
NDFS 5210 - Advanced Public Health Nutrition (CI) 3 credit(s)
NDFS 5230 - Communication of Current Topics in Nutrition (CI) 3 credit(s)
NDFS 5510 - Food Laws and Regulations 3 credit(s)
NDFS 5800 - Counseling and Motivational Interviewing for Health Professionals 3 credit(s)

Suggested Electives

Students must complete 120 credits to earn a bachelor’s degree, including 40 credits in upper-division. Consultation with an advisor is important to choose elective courses that will be most effective in helping students reach their academic goals. Contact Dawnetta Mahnken, at dawnetta.mahnken@usu.edu, 435-797-2282 for advising or to schedule an appointment through this link.

NDFS 1240 - Food Literacy 3 credit(s)
NDFS suggested electives, if not taken as required coursework.
NDFS 2020 - Nutrition Throughout the Life Cycle 3 credit(s)
NDFS 2030 - Nutrition and Physical Performance 2 credit(s)
NDFS 3040 - Nutrition Assessment 3 credit(s)
NDFS 3080 - Community Nutrition 3 credit(s)
NDFS 5210 - Advanced Public Health Nutrition (CI) 3 credit(s)
NDFS 5230 - Communication of Current Topics in Nutrition (CI) 3 credit(s)
NDFS 5510 - Food Laws and Regulations 3 credit(s)
NDFS 5800 - Counseling and Motivational Interviewing for Health Professionals 3 credit(s)
ANTH 4130 - Introduction to Medical Anthropology (DSS) 3 credit(s)
BIOL 1030 - Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) Preparation 1 credit(s)
BIOL 2320 - Human Anatomy 4 credit(s)
BIOL 3060 - Principles of Genetics (QI) 3 credit(s)
BIOL 3100 - Bioethics (CI) 3 credit(s)
BIOL 3300 - General Microbiology 4 credit(s)
BIOL 4000 - Human Dissection 1 credit(s)
BIOL 5150 - Immunology 3 credit(s)
BIOL 5210 - Cell Biology 3 credit(s)
CHEM 2320 - Organic Chemistry II 4 credit(s)
CHEM 2325 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory II 1 credit(s)
ENGL 3080 - Introduction to Technical Communication (CI) 3 credit(s)
HEP 5000 - Health Equity (CI) 3 credit(s)
PHYS 2110 - General Physics - Life Sciences I 4 credit(s)
PHYS 2120 - General Physics - Life Sciences II (BPS) 4 credit(s)
PUBH 4030 - Communicable Disease Control 3 credit(s)
PUBH 4040 - Fundamentals of Epidemiology 3 credit(s)
SOC 3330 - Medical Sociology (DSS) 3 credit(s)
USU 1010 - University Connections 2 credit(s)

Open Electives

Total elective credit is determined by General Education courses taken, degree type selected, additional credits earned, and any additional math or other prerequisite courses needed. Please consult your Academic Advisor for details.

Total Credits: 120

Suggested Degree Map - Nutrition Science BS

Nutrition Science BS - 4 Year Degree Map