Online Education Guide
Guide to Majors

- What is a College Major?
- Deciding to Go to College
- Assessing Your Skills
- Education vs. Experience
- Top Ten Job Trends

View College Majors

 Health & Medical

 Arts & Humanities

 Business

 Criminal Justice

 Education

 Engineering

 Science

 Social Science

 Technology

Online Education Guide

Guide to College Majors in Nutrition & Food Science

What is Food Science?

The importance of what we eat is often overlooked in the frenzied rush of every day life. More and more people in the U.S. have become overweight, leading to a rise in diabetes and other life-threatening conditions. Those who pursue a degree in nutrition and food sciences are preparing themselves for a career in helping people lead healthier lives through a balanced diet.

Nutrition and food science degrees focus on studying the chemical and biological components of our food and the ways in which these ingredients affect our health. The scope of nutrition and food sciences does not stop there, however. Nutritionists and dietitians with degrees in nutrition and food science also study the social impacts of the foods we eat, including how it affects our economy, psychology, and culture.

Most professionals with degrees in nutrition and food sciences become nutritionists or dieticians. Both courses involve working closely with individuals or communities to plan and supervise the preparation of healthy meals, whether in the context of an individual practice or a large institution such as a school or hospital.

Dieticians and nutritionists are also concerned with education and awareness. Teaching their patients how what they eat affects their health and well being is a large part of the job. If the patient understands that their current diet is placing them at risk, they are more likely to cooperate in the diet's modification.

Individuals with degrees in nutrition and food science can also specialize within a specific discipline within their field. Dietitians often specialize in treating children or patients with kidney problems, critical illnesses or diabetes. Others supervise overweight patients or those with eating disorders.

Some clinical nutritionists and dietitians make a career out of managing the food service departments of large institutions, such as hospitals, nursing care facilities, schools, or correctional facilities. These specialists must plan healthy, well-balanced meals for the correct number of individuals, often on a strict budget.

Food scientists analyze food, see what it is made of, and analyze what causes it to break down or spoil. They are concerned with the safe preservation and processing of food as well as its nutritional value. They can help companies keep tabs on food sanitation, quality control, storage, and marketing.

Due to an increased awareness in recent years of how food affects our health, there is more of a demand for professionals with degrees in nutrition and food science. The general public has begun to realize just how important it is to eat well-balanced meals. This means that the opportunities for a career in nutrition are at an all-time high.

As you can see, being a nutritionist, dietician, or food scientist is more than just telling people what to eat. There are a wide variety of careers available to individuals with degrees in nutrition and food science. From advertising to research, if you are interested in health and nutrition, there is a job for you in the vast field of nutrition and food science.

Some examples of careers in nutrition and food science:

• Dietitian
• Nutritionist
• Pediatric dietitian
• Renal dietitian
• Clinical nutritionist
• Dietetic consultant
• Food service manager
• Private practice nutritionist or dietitian
• Management dietitian
• Food science researcher
• Pharmaceutical or food sales

Is a Degree in Nutrition and Food Science Right for You?

The decision to enter a degree program in nutrition and food science can be a difficult one. The programs can be very difficult, rigorous and exhausting, but highly rewarding. First, prospective students should consider how committed they are to a career in health and nutrition. Luckily, it is not difficult to transfer out of one health program and into another, so, as long as the interest in nutrition is there, a degree in nutrition and food science might be a good place to start.

Before entering a degree program in nutrition and food science, students should take as many science and health classes as their high school offers. Other classes, such as psychology and sociology, would also make good supplemental preparatory classes. Talk to your school's dietitian or food services manager for more information on what a career in nutrition and food science is like. These people might give you valuable insight into whether the career is right for you.

Some characteristics of people enrolled in nutrition and food science degree programs:

• Excellent organization skills
• Good planning skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Sincere interest in human health and well-being
• Self-discipline
• Compassion and sensitivity toward those with health problems
• Competent math skills, particularly with weights and measures

Once you decide to enter a degree program in nutrition and food science, make sure to research the programs themselves to find the one that is right for you. For some, a traditional on-campus program is the way to go. But, if you are a working professional or someone who has to take care of a family, you may want to consider one of the many accredited online degree programs in nutrition and food science.

These programs provide the highest quality education with the flexibility you need to fulfill your other obligations. These days, there is simply no need to quit your job or take time away from your family to continue your education.

Career Education in Food Science

Undergraduate and Graduate degree and certificate programs

The programs offered for various degrees and certificates in nutrition and food science are as diverse as the careers available to individuals who hold the degree. Be sure to research the individual program you are applying to make sure it is a proper fit for you.

The degrees offered in nutrition and food science are the Bachelor's, Master's and Doctorate degrees. Also available are certificate programs for those already in nutrition and food sciences, but wishing to specialize in a specific aspect of the field. What level you decide to take your education to can have a severe impact on what careers you are eligible for.

Certificate Programs

Certificate programs are available for those already working in nutrition and food science and who wish to specialize in one aspect of the field, or for those who wish to acquire a general familiarity with the field.

Working professionals, such as registered nurses or experienced dietitians, would earn a certificate in a specialized area of nutrition and food science to further their careers or advance professionally within their company. These certificate programs are often offered online or in a distance learning format to accommodate the education without interrupting the individual's career.

Individuals exploring the idea of entering a degree program in nutrition and food science might take a general certificate course to familiarize themselves with the basic aspects of the field before committing to a full degree program. These certificate programs can also be used as preparatory classes before entering a degree program in nutrition and food science to make the program itself less stressful.

Bachelor of Science Degree Programs

The Bachelor of Science degree in food science and nutrition is a basic four-year undergraduate degree. During the course of study, students will move from the basics of food science into the specifics of the microbiology, processing, and chemistry of food.

Most nutrition and food science Bachelor's degree programs begin with two years of general education requirements, such as the basic math, English and science skills necessary to study nutrition and food science in depth. Some introductory food science and nutrition courses are also usually offered. Examples of these courses include:

• Introductory writing courses
• Communications courses
• Mathematics courses geared toward those studying the life sciences
• General psychology and sociology courses
• Social studies and history courses
• Chemistry and advanced chemistry, including organic chemistry
• Biology, microbiology, and biochemistry
• Basic physics
• Economics and agriculture courses
• Food safety
• Arts or humanities electives

Usually, once the student has reached the junior year of study, they are officially admitted into the nutrition and food science degree program, provided they have maintained a satisfactory grade point average. The minimum grade point average varies from institution to institution, and can fall between 2.0 and 3.2.

The junior and senior years of study in a nutrition and food science Bachelor's degree program consist of more in-depth study of the food sciences. The student must have a good basic knowledge of the general biology and chemistry involved in the food sciences, or they won't be able to keep up.

Applied math, such as statistics and agricultural marketing principles, are also usually studied during the last two years of undergraduate study. This, coupled with more intensive laboratory study in food technology and agricultural processes, make the last two years of this course of study very demanding indeed.

Examples of courses studied in the last two years of a Bachelor's degree program in food science and nutrition:

• Microbiology of food courses(with labs)
• Statistics courses
• Agricultural marketing courses
• Food processing courses (with labs)
• Food technology courses (with labs)
• Food chemistry courses (with labs)
• Seminar courses in food science and nutrition
• Advanced nutrition courses
• Food product development courses
• Food analysis courses

All this training results in a professional who is capable of creating high quality, safe, and nutritious foods from natural materials. The person knows how to plan, produce, market, and distribute these products, all with a keen eye toward safety and nutrition.

Master of Science Degree Programs

A Master's degree program in nutrition and food science is a continuation of the undergraduate degree program, but with further specialization in specific areas of nutrition and food science. Most Graduate level programs require the student to have a Bachelor's degree in nutrition and food science as well as an acceptable GRE score. What constitutes an acceptable GRE score varies from school to school.

Many specializations are available to the graduate level student studying nutrition and food science, including:

• Reduction of disease risk through changes in diet
• diet and exercise
• metabolic regulation
• nutrition problems in the elderly
• food consumption habits of high risk populations
• energy regulation and balance
• nutrition, diet, and weight management

These are just a handful of the topics students may choose to study in-depth at the graduate level. Most graduate level nutrition and food science programs also offer many internship opportunities, giving the student a valuable chance to gain experience prior to graduation.

To graduate from most Master's degree programs in nutrition and food science, the student must research and complete a master's thesis. This consists of a research project or paper, and presentation of this to a panel of faculty members. There is also usually a required amount of advanced coursework, as well as a possible internship requirement.

PhD Degree Programs

As the terminal degree program in nutrition and food science, PhD students represent the very top of the nutrition field. While still students, they are researching important problems and questions in nutrition and food science, often achieving breakthroughs in the industry prior to graduation.

At the heart of the PhD in nutrition and food science is the doctoral dissertation. This dissertation consists of a research problem to be solved by the student under the mentorship of a professor. The dissertation must be presented to a dissertation committee and successfully defended in order for the student to graduate.

Many colleges and universities offering PhDs in nutrition and food science also require many upper division advanced courses. To be accepted into the PhD program, students must have a Master's degree, or be prepared to complete the coursework required for the Master's degree while enrolled in the PhD program. PhD programs can be very competitive, but prepare the student to work in whatever aspect of the nutrition and food science field they wish, including teaching at the university level.

What can you do with a College Degree in Food Science?

Career options for aspiring dietitians, nutritional consultants, food service managers and more.

Nutritionists and dietitians can work in a variety of environments, including private practices, public health clinics, public and private schools, universities and colleges, hospitals, correctional facilities, and nursing care facilities. Also, more private corporations are hiring dietitians to supervise and plan the menus for their company cafeterias, to help maintain the health of their staff. These companies offer the competitive wages and benefits that many public sector jobs lack.

As a dietitian, you can choose to work in an office at the administrative or managerial level, or right in the heart of the kitchen, supervising the preparation of food on the ground level. There is a job for whatever pace you wish to work at, and for whatever most suits your skill set. Be aware, however, that most career-track jobs in this industry require at least a Bachelor's degree.

Examples of some of the jobs available to individuals with a degree in nutrition and food sciences:

• Clinical Dietitians: These dietitians usually work for an institution, such as a company, school, nursing care facility, or correctional facility. These dietitians create and manage meal programs for individuals and groups, based on their nutritional needs. Clinical dietitians also report their findings to the management, and discuss possible courses of action with other healthcare professionals. Many clinical dietitians will specialize in dealing with a specific type of patient, such as those with renal (kidney) problems, diabetes, or weight control issues. These specialists usually specialize in this area during their Master's degree program, or take a certificate course in this arena.
• Community Dietitians: Usually working in community and public health clinics, these dietitians focus on educating the community around them on how diet affects health. They counsel families on planning nutritional meals, and tailoring the meals to the specific health needs of the family. This includes everything form planning the grocery list to how the food itself is prepared to maximize nutritional value.
• Food Processor: These individuals work in food processing plants to insure that the food that reaches the grocery stores and restaurants we frequent each day is safe and as nutritious as possible. They also address efficiency problems, as well as marketing problems, within the context of their company.
• Nutritional Consultant: These consultants work from a client list consisting of individuals and companies, recommending certain courses of dietary action to promote health through the absorption of nutrients by the body. Most consultants are self-employed, freelancing their consulting services out or bidding on consulting contracts.
• Pediatric Dietitian: Focusing on the dietary and nutritional needs of children, these dietitians can be self-employed or work for a school or children's hospital. If working out of a private practice, pediatric dietitians work with parents to develop dietary programs for their children to promote health and fight disease, particularly in children with diabetes or renal disorders. Pediatric dietitians working for a school or children's hospital create general and individual meal plans for students or patients, depending on the needs of the institution. They may also supervise the preparation of the food, as well as oversee the entire food service department of the institution.

As you can see, the careers available for individuals holding a degree in nutrition and food science are varied and numerous. Obtaining a degree in nutrition and food science, whether it is from a traditional on-campus program or through an accredited online or distance learning program, can help you get in on the ground floor of a diverse, exciting, and ever-growing industry.

Salary Information for Careers in Food Science and Nutrition

Careers are available in the nutrition and food science industry to suit many tastes and skill levels. The industry is predicted to grow, and jobs in the food service industry are on the rise. Starting salaries for careers in nutrition and food science range from $25,000-$50,000. Chances for advancement are numerous, and experience in the industry allows entry into many other possible fields as well.

Certification and Licensure

While licensure varies from state to state, it is helpful to register and be licensed by the CDR (Commission on Dietetic Registration), part of the ADA (American Dietitian's Association). This certification helps insure that you are a competent practitioner, and can be necessary or even essential when attempting to obtain state licensure.

Some schools, those approved by the CADE (Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics education), include certification and licensure within their own states as part of their degree programs. Make sure you know whether the school you are applying for is CADE certified.

Explore Related Degree Programs

- Online Degrees in Food Science and Nutrition
- Online Degrees in Health Promotion
- Online Degrees in Hospitality Management

Copyright 2005 World Wide Learn