Nutrition & Dietetics
The science of food and how it affects health.
Nutrition and dietetics studies how food and nutrients affect the body, covering biochemistry, physiology, and the practical application of nutrition science in clinical, community, or food-service settings. Programs aiming toward the registered dietitian credential follow an accredited curriculum with specific coursework and supervised practice requirements.
Expect a strong science core (chemistry, biochemistry, physiology) combined with applied coursework in meal planning, medical nutrition therapy, and food science.
Typical courses you might take
- ✓Human Nutrition
- ✓Biochemistry
- ✓Human Physiology
- ✓Medical Nutrition Therapy
- ✓Food Science
- ✓Community Nutrition
- ✓Nutrition Counseling
- ✓Supervised Practice / Clinical Rotation
Sample four-year plan
Illustrative, not a registration planOne possible way these courses could be sequenced alongside general education and elective credit. Real programs vary in order, pacing, and prerequisites by school, use this to get a rough sense of the arc, not to plan actual registration.
- ✓Human Nutrition
- +General education requirement
- ✓Biochemistry
- +General education requirement
- ✓Human Physiology
- +General education requirement
- ✓Medical Nutrition Therapy
- +Free elective
- ✓Food Science
- +Free elective
- ✓Community Nutrition
- +Elective in the major (or minor coursework)
- ✓Nutrition Counseling
- +Elective in the major (or minor coursework)
- ✓Supervised Practice / Clinical Rotation
- +Capstone, thesis, or culminating project (common in many programs)
Skills you'll build
This major might be a good fit if you...
- ★Interested in the science of food and how it affects the body
- ★Enjoys both biology/chemistry and working directly with people
- ★Comfortable with a structured, science-heavy curriculum
- ★Interested in health promotion and prevention
Common minors & double-major pairings
Public Health · Biology · Psychology
Roles this major could lead to
Factual, day-to-day descriptions from our Career Role Encyclopedia, not a guarantee this major leads to any specific job.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Nutrition & Dietetics major?
The science of food and how it affects health.
What courses do Nutrition & Dietetics majors take?
Typical coursework includes classes like Human Nutrition, Biochemistry, Human Physiology, among others, see the full course list above for this major's typical lineup.
What skills do you build in a Nutrition & Dietetics program?
Nutrition & Dietetics coursework typically builds skills like Applying nutrition science to individual and community health, Reading and interpreting scientific research, Meal and nutrition program planning, Client counseling and communication.
Is Nutrition & Dietetics a good major for me?
It tends to be a good fit if signals like "Interested in the science of food and how it affects the body" or "Enjoys both biology/chemistry and working directly with people" describe you. See the full "good fit if you..." list above for more.
What can you do with a Nutrition & Dietetics degree?
Majors in this field often go on to roles like Registered Dietitian. See our Career Role Encyclopedia for more, a major shapes what you study, not a guarantee of any specific job.
What other majors pair well with Nutrition & Dietetics?
Common minor or double-major pairings include Public Health, Biology, Psychology.
How is Nutrition & Dietetics different from Kinesiology & Exercise Science?
They're related but distinct. Nutrition & Dietetics: The science of food and how it affects health. Kinesiology & Exercise Science: The science of human movement, fitness, and physical performance. Use the compare tool to see courses and skills side by side.
How long does it take to earn a Nutrition & Dietetics degree?
Most bachelor's degrees, including this one, are designed to be completed in about four years of full-time study. Exact timing depends on your school, course load, transfer credit, and any changes of major along the way.
Printed from majoratlas.com/majors/nutrition-dietetics