Indiana University Bloomington

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B.S. IN NUTRITION SCIENCE

NOURISHING GOOD HEALTH

DOES THIS SOUND LIKE YOU?
You like learning how the body works and how to prevent disease through nutrition.
You love science.
You want a flexible major with options—whether you want to go on to graduate school in nutrition or public health; or a related health profession such as medicine, optometry, or dentistry; or to become a physician assistant.

Nutrition science integrates nutrition with physical and life sciences to develop a rich understanding of dietary advice to promote healthy lifestyles. In this increasingly nutrition-conscious era, there is a demand for more nutrition-savvy medical professionals. The study of nutrition science lays a solid foundation for future academics, researchers, doctors, dentists, and other health professionals.

nutrition students taking a test

“Nutrition Science was an excellent major because it allowed me to study all of the sciences broadly, which was important as a student with plans to take the MCAT and go on to medical school. Also, Nutrition Science is a fairly small major, so you get to know a good number of the students in your class. The professors were all helpful and readily available to meet, which was very convenient.”
—Matthew Swarm, B.S. nutrition science, ’07, currently attending the IU School of Medicine

About the Program

The Nutrition Science Program blends curriculum requirements for admission to medicine, dentistry, optometry, and physician assistant programs with a strong emphasis on nutrition and its role in the prevention of disease. The program also provides a thorough background in advanced biology and biochemistry courses, preparing students for further study in related fields and research.

Knowledge Meets Experience

The Nutrition Science Program offers you the experience, skills, and support you need to be successful in the field.

  • Experience our rigorous academic program that balances theoretical knowledge with hands-on laboratory experiences.
  • Immerse yourself in important research, using our well-equipped food and nutrition labs.
  • Gain lab- or survey-based research experiences working one-on-one with a professor in a required, 3 credit hour research course.
  • Build leadership skills and participate in volunteer activities with the student-run Dietetics Club.
  • Receive individual career counseling from faculty.

Educational and Professional Requirements

Students must complete 26 credit hours and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 to be admitted to the Nutrition Science Program. A minimum of 124 credit hours is required to complete this program. To highlight the importance of hands-on experience to the nutrition science field, this degree requires a 3 credit hour research course involving individualized work with faculty members in a laboratory or community setting. We strongly encourage student volunteering in health professions and the local community.

Tab sheet for major and tab sheet for minor (PDF)

Sample of Early Critical Courses

HPER-N 120 Introduction to Foods
HPER-N 231 Human Nutrition
MATH-M 119 Brief Survey of Calculus
CHEM-C 117 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry
BIOL-L 112 Introduction to Biology: Biological Mechanisms

Sample of Upper-Division Core Courses

HPER-N 430 Advanced Nutrition I
HPER-N 320 Food Chemistry
HPER-N 431 Medical Nutrition Therapy
HPER-N 440 Research in Nutrition
CHEM-C 342 Organic Chemistry II
BIOL-L 330 Biology of the Cell

Job Outlook and Salaries

Most nutrition science students go on to a medical professional program or graduate school. Nutritionists also work in the food industry, public health, and business consulting. Some choose pharmaceutical sales, which draws upon their science background and health focus.

According to 2006 salary data, here are some sample annual salaries for people with nutrition science backgrounds:

  • Physician assistant: $74,000
  • Pharmaceutical sales: $55,000
  • Dentist: $129,000
  • General practice physician: $137,000

As with any profession, salaries vary by geographic region, educational level, job responsibilities, and size of community.

Career Opportunities

  • Doctor
  • Dentist
  • Physician assistant
  • Optometrist
  • Food technician
  • Research scientist studying chronic diseases, food technology, or animal nutrition
  • Food product sales representative
  • Health club and health company consultant
  • Public health educator
  • Food service manager
  • Pharmaceutical sales representative

For More Information

For more information about this program or the Department of Applied Health Science, please contact:

Department of Applied Health Science
Indiana University
HPER Building 116
1025 E. Seventh Street
Bloomington, IN 47405-7109
Telephone: (812) 855-3627
E-mail: ahsinfo@indiana.edu 

If you want to know more about careers or issues in nutrition science, check out:

Program Brochure (PDF)