University of North Dakota

What you'll study

The Nutrition Sciences degree combines core biological and chemical sciences with specialised nutrition and food coursework to develop understanding of how diet influences health across the lifespan. Typical modules and topics include:

• Foundational sciences: general biology, human anatomy and physiology, chemistry and introductory biochemistry to support understanding of metabolic processes.
• Core nutrition: introduction to human nutrition, life cycle nutrition (maternal, infant, childhood, adult and older adult), community and public health nutrition, and clinical/medical nutrition therapy principles.
• Food science and food service: food chemistry, food safety, food preparation and management, and operations of institutional food service.
• Research and assessment: nutrition assessment methods, statistics for health sciences, research methods and a capstone or senior project focusing on applied nutrition questions.
• Experiential learning: supervised practicum hours, laboratory work in teaching kitchens or food labs, community outreach placements, and opportunities for internships with clinical or public health providers.
• Electives and interdisciplinary options: electives may cover topics such as sports nutrition, nutrigenomics, global nutrition, counselling and behaviour change, or courses from related departments (exercise science, public health, psychology).

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a high school diploma or equivalent. Admissions typically consider overall academic record, with particular emphasis on science and mathematics preparation. Recommended preparatory subjects include:

• Biology (with laboratory)
• Chemistry (including introductory college-preparatory or AP chemistry)
• Mathematics (algebra and a year of college-preparatory math; statistics is advantageous)
• English communication skills

Successful applicants usually present competitive secondary school grades and any relevant extracurricular experience (volunteer work, healthcare exposure, food service or community projects). Some professional pathways within the degree, such as preparation for supervised practice placements leading to dietetic registration, may require completion of specific course sequences and a separate application or verification process later in the programme.

Career prospects

Graduates of the Nutrition Sciences programme pursue a range of roles across healthcare, community services, food industry and research. Typical career paths include:

• Dietetic internships and registered dietitian careers (after completing required supervised practice and credentialing where applicable)
• Clinical nutrition support roles in hospitals and long-term care
• Community and public health nutritionist positions working on prevention and health promotion programmes
• Food service and operations management in institutions, schools or hospitality settings
• Nutrition education, wellness coaching and corporate health promotion
• Research assistant roles or progression to postgraduate study (MSc/PhD) in nutrition, public health or related biomedical sciences
• Technical or sales roles with food and pharmaceutical companies

Why study at University of North Dakota

The University of North Dakota offers a programme that emphasises both rigorous science and practical experience. Students benefit from hands-on learning in food labs and teaching kitchens, opportunities for community placements and clinical experiences, and access to faculty involved in applied nutrition research. The department supports pathways for students who wish to meet the academic requirements for supervised practice and professional credentialing, while also providing flexibility for those interested in public health, industry or graduate study. Smaller class sizes and a campus community that connects to regional healthcare and food systems make UND a practical choice for students seeking a balanced mix of theory and real-world application.