MASTER'S STUDY IN NUTRITION SCIENCE
MASTER THE SCIENCE OF NUTRITION
The Master of Science degree in nutrition science prepares students with a variety of backgrounds to meet the demands of an increasingly nutrition-conscious population as academics, dietitians, researchers, doctors, dentists, or other health professionals.
With a master’s degree in nutrition science, you can pursue a doctoral degree or enter the workforce in a variety of public and private settings, such as industry and business, hospitals and clinics, health maintenance organizations, government agencies, colleges and universities, international organizations and health agencies, private research firms, and professional health organizations. Our program is flexible, allowing you to individualize your studies to meet your own personal career goals.
“Nutrition Science is among the most
exciting and rapidly progressing fields in
the life sciences. Imagine planning your
diet to enhance the expression of genes
that will improve your health; that’s where
we’re going. Here you’ll learn the biology
and chemistry of foods and nutrients
and how they influence growth and
metabolism in health and disease states.”
—Alyce Fly, Associate Professor
“The master’s program in Nutrition Science at Indiana University provided me with a firm foundation for my future career. The quality of courses and research experience is unsurpassed, and the faculty members are extraordinary in their knowledge, experience, and passion to develop skilled professionals. I think the program is unique in giving you the chance to do a great deal of interdisciplinary and collaborative work across many spectrums.” — Shubhangi Kulkharni, Ayurvedic physician; Master of Science, ’07
Extend Your Degree
Students in the nutrition science program enrich their master’s degree with research in the laboratory or the community. They can also consider a double major in a complementary field such as public health, fitness, or exercise physiology.
Students interested in becoming Registered Dietitians can meet with the dietetics program director to determine the courses needed to meet these added academic requirements.
Program Emphasis
Our comprehensive program offers a solid foundation in the biochemistry of nutrition. It allows students to pursue applications in medical nutrition therapy, food science, medical nutrition biochemistry, or community nutrition. Students also have the opportunity to work closely with faculty members on research and community projects.
Our rigorous academic program balances theoretical knowledge with laboratory experiences. Courses focus on the biology and chemistry of food and nutrients and how they influence growth and metabolism in health and disease states. New courses focus on current issues of nutrigenomics and phytonutrients.
Degree Requirements
The Master of Science in nutrition science requires the completion of 35 hours of course work. All students take the departmental core class on models and theories of health behavior; nutrition science core courses focused on advanced nutrition, biological chemistry, and nutrigenomics; additional core courses in the area of specialization; and research and statistics courses. Students may choose a thesis option or a nonthesis option.
Tabsheet (PDF)
Job Outlook and Salaries
Nutrition science is one of the most exciting and rapidly growing fields in the life sciences. Because of the public’s increasing interest in disease prevention and nutrition, the demand for nutritionists trained at the graduate level is booming. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics, employment of nutrition scientists is expected to increase 9 percent by 2016. Career opportunities are available in research, administrative, and management positions.
The U.S. Department of Labor reports that the average income for dietitians and nutritionists was $51,560 in 2006 (www.bls.gov). According to a 2005 survey of Applied Health Science alumni, 88 percent of master’s degree graduates attained full-time employment within six months of completing their degree or internship.
For more information, contact:
Jun Dai, Ph.D.
Telephone: (812) 855-8461
E-mail: jdai@indiana.edu
Alyce D. Fly, Ph.D.
Telephone: (812) 855-7975
E-mail: afly@indiana.edu
Alice K. Lindeman, Ph.D., R.D.
Telephone: (812) 855-6437
E-mail: lindema@indiana.edu
Department of Applied Health Science
Indiana University
HPER Building 116
1025 E. Seventh Street
Bloomington, IN 47405-7109
Click for program brochure (PDF)
