› Nutritional Sciences UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM
Learn how the body uses nutrients for optimal health throughout the life cycle
› Nutritional Sciences Improving Human Health
› BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE
The Nutritional Sciences program focuses on helping you learn about the human body and how nutrition affects health and wellness. Becoming a leader in nutrition starts with the programs in the College of Health and Human Development’s Department of Nutritional Sciences. Here, you will be taught by faculty who are leaders in the field and learn cutting edge nutritional science and the practical applications to promote positive lifestyle changes in others. You will learn how the body uses nutrients for optimal health throughout the life cycle. In addition, the program will help you prepare for leadership and management positions in a number of health care, industry, government, and food science career fields. This program is designed to help you explore your passion for nutrition while preparing you to make an impact on the health of others in the future.
› Program overview A bachelor of science (B.S.) degree in Nutritional Sciences will help you make an impact on the health of others. Basic Sciences Option
Dietetics Option
This option integrates nutritional sciences with other basic science courses. The strong science curriculum is an excellent fit if you plan to go to medical, dental, or pharmacy school. It also works well for physician assistant and physical therapy programs. The Basic Sciences option also helps you gain laboratory skills that are valuable in careers in research or industry.
The Dietetics option, which meets the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) requirements, is designed to help you prepare for a career as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). The courses and experiences in the Dietetics option are designed to help you understand nutrition in relation to the human body during health and disease so that you are able to promote wellness as well as design medical nutritional therapy. This option will help you meet the requirements to become a RDN, including earning the verification statement needed to apply to the post-baccalaureate supervised practice programs and preparing you for the Registered Dietitian Exam. Within one year of completion of the post-baccalaureate supervised practice program, the program boasts an almost perfect pass rate on the examination to earn the RDN credential.
Applied Sciences Option As a student in the Applied Sciences option, you will gain a broad background in nutrition, disease prevention, and foods. Students in this option have interests in public health and health education. It is also an excellent fit if you are interested in pursuing a career as a physical or occupational therapist or a physician’s assistant. The option will help you prepare for careers in nutrition education, food service management, publichealth nutrition, or applied research.
› Careers Overview Gain a solid background in the science of nutrition with the goal of translating that information to consumers, health care practitioners, or industry to improve health and promote wellness. Medical Field
Public Health or Health Education
You will have the opportunity to gain a firm foundation in nutrition, human health, chemistry, and biology, which is an excellent fit if you are interested in medical school or pursuing a health care career, such as a physical therapist, occupational therapist, or physician assistant.
Help the public maintain a healthy lifestyle through nutrition. You may work in a public school helping develop and implement a nutrition program, impact public health policy decisions, promote health and wellness at the corporate level, or educate the community about the connection between food, fitness, and health.
Food Industry/Services
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
If you are interested in exploring careers in the food industry/services, a degree in Nutritional Sciences may be right for you. Graduates of the program find themselves in a number of positions within these areas, including product development, marketing, labeling and regulations, consumer affairs, public relations, or consulting with chefs in restaurants and culinary schools.
As a registered dietitian nutritionist, you may work in health care, business and industry, community/public health, education, research, government agencies, and private practice. You may counsel patients about their specific nutritional needs, recommend or prescribe medical nutrition therapy, and coordinate with other health professionals to improve the health of patients. You may also manage the food service operations of facilities like schools, day-care centers, or correctional facilities, overseeing everything from food purchasing and preparation to managing staff.
Improve the health of others through your knowledge of nutrition and healthy eating
› Nutritional Sciences Department of Nutritional Sciences The Pennsylvania State University 110 Chandlee Laboratory University Park, PA 16802 814-863-0772 nutrition.hhd.psu.edu
Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to minorities, women, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and other protected groups. Nondiscrimination: http://guru.psu.edu/policies/AD85.html (UNDG16071) U.Ed. HHD 16-071