Campuses:
This is archival data. This system was retired as of August 21, 2023 and the information on this page has not been updated since then. For current information, visit catalogs.umn.edu.
![]() |
Twin Cities Campus
Nutrition B.S.Food Science & Nutrition
College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences
The nutrition major explores how nutrients and the foods from which they are derived aid the body in health, growth, and development. With major national and international concerns for how food and nutrition affect health and disease, registered dietitians and nutritionists have many career opportunities. Students choose one of three options: 1) nutrition studies, 2) the Didactic Program in Dietetics, or 3) nutritional science.
Students expecting to apply to an internship or graduate school should maintain a GPA of at least 3.00. A cumulative GPA of at least 3.30 is highly recommended.
The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) is currently granted accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, Phone: 800-877-1600, Website: www.eatright.org.
Program Delivery
This program is available:
Admission Requirements
For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the
Office of Admissions
website.
General Requirements
All students in baccalaureate degree programs are required to complete general University and college requirements including writing and liberal education courses. For more information about University-wide requirements, see the
liberal education requirements.
Required courses for the major, minor or certificate in which a student receives a D grade (with or without plus or minus) do not count toward the major, minor or certificate (including transfer courses).
Program Requirements
At least 18 upper division credits in the major must be taken at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus.
Foundation Courses
BIOC 3021 - Biochemistry
(3.0 cr)
AECM 2421W - Professional and Oral Communication for Agriculture, Food & the Environment
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
or
COMM 1101 - Introduction to Public Speaking
[CIV]
(3.0 cr)
BIOL 1009 - General Biology
[BIOL]
(4.0 cr)
ANSC 3301 - Human and Animal Physiology
(3.0 cr)
or
PHSL 3051 - Human Physiology
(4.0 cr)
or
BIOL 3211 - Physiology of Humans and Other Animals
(3.0 cr)
VBS 2032 - General Microbiology With Laboratory
(5.0 cr)
or
MICB 3301 - Biology of Microorganisms
(5.0 cr)
or
FSCN 2021 - Introductory Microbiology
(4.0 cr)
STAT 3011 - Introduction to Statistical Analysis
[MATH]
(4.0 cr)
Core Courses
All nutrition major students are required to complete these core nutrition-related courses.
FSCN 1112 - Principles of Nutrition
[TS]
(3.0 cr)
FSCN 2001 - A Food Systems Approach to Cooking for Health and the Environment
(3.0 cr)
FSCN 3612 - Life Cycle Nutrition
(3.0 cr)
FSCN 4612W - Advanced Human Nutrition
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
FSCN 4613 - Experimental Nutrition
(2.0 cr)
FSCN 4614W - Community Nutrition
[SOCS, DSJ, WI]
(3.0 cr)
FSCN 4621 - Nutrition and Metabolism
(4.0 cr)
Interdisciplinary Learning
Course in the core curriculum which satisfy requirements for interdisciplinary learning.
FSCN 1102 - Food: Safety, Risks, and Technology
[CIV]
(3.0 cr)
Experiential Learning
Course that fulfills the requirement for experiential learning.
CFAN 3096 - Making the Most of your Professional Experience
(1.0 cr)
Upper Division Writing Intensive within the Major
Students are required to take one upper division writing intensive course within the major. If that requirement has not been satisfied within the core major requirements, students must choose one course from the following list. Some of these courses may also fulfill other major requirements.
Take 0 - 1 course(s) from the following:
·
FSCN 4614W - Community Nutrition
[SOCS, DSJ, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
FSCN 4612W - Advanced Human Nutrition
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
Program Sub-plans
Students are required to complete one of the following sub-plans.
Didactic Program in Dietetics
The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) provides excellent undergraduate preparation to meet the knowledge requirements delineated by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) for entry-level dietitians. The DPD training includes a strong science component of biological sciences, chemistry, and biochemistry courses appropriate for admission to graduate school. A liberal arts core and specialized courses in nutrition, nutritional biochemistry, clinical nutrition, food science, menu planning, and food service management provide depth and breadth. The mission of the University of Minnesota DPD is to prepare students for entry into and successful completion of supervised practice leading to eligibility for the CDR credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist, a variety of employment opportunities related to food and nutrition, or graduate/professional programs.
Students who plan to become registered dietitians must apply to the DPD according to specified criteria. There is no difference in the required courses; however, only those students who are accepted into the DPD will receive a Verification Statement, which is needed to enter into a dietetic internship.
Didactic Program in Dietetics Courses
FSCN 2512 - Food Customs and Culture
[GP]
(3.0 cr)
FSCN 3614 - Nutrition Education and Counseling
(4.0 cr)
FSCN 3731 - Food Service Operations Management Laboratory
(2.0 cr)
FSCN 3732 - Food Service Operations Management
(3.0 cr)
FSCN 4665 - Medical Nutrition Therapy I
(3.0 cr)
FSCN 4666 - Medical Nutrition Therapy II
(3.0 cr)
FSCN 4667 - Dietetics Capstone and Interprofessional Education
(1.0 cr)
FSCN 4732 - Food and Nutrition Management
(3.0 cr)
MATH 1031 - College Algebra and Probability
[MATH]
(3.0 cr)
Chemistry Tracks
Chemistry
CHEM 1061 - Chemical Principles I
[PHYS]
(3.0 cr)
CHEM 1065 - Chemical Principles I Laboratory
[PHYS]
(1.0 cr)
CHEM 1062 - Chemical Principles II
[PHYS]
(3.0 cr)
CHEM 1066 - Chemical Principles II Laboratory
[PHYS]
(1.0 cr)
CHEM 2301 - Organic Chemistry I
(3.0 cr)
or
Chemistry for the Life Sciences
CHEM 1081 - Chemistry for the Life Sciences I
[PHYS]
(3.0 cr)
CHEM 1065 - Chemical Principles I Laboratory
[PHYS]
(1.0 cr)
CHEM 1082 - Chemistry for the Life Sciences II
(3.0 cr)
CHEM 1086 - Chemistry for the Life Sciences II Laboratory
(1.0 cr)
CHEM 2081 - Chemistry for the Life Sciences III
(3.0 cr)
CHEM 2085 - Chemistry for the Life Sciences III Laboratory
(2.0 cr)
Nutrition Studies
Nutrition major students who do not select either the DPD or nutritional science sub-plan may utilize the remainder of the 120 credits needed to graduate by specializing in an area of their choosing. Specialization can include regulatory nutrition, entrepreneurial nutrition, health/wellness/medicine, nutrition communications, and existing minor. Contact your academic advisor to discuss recommended course options.
Chemistry Tracks
Chemistry
CHEM 1061 - Chemical Principles I
[PHYS]
(3.0 cr)
CHEM 1065 - Chemical Principles I Laboratory
[PHYS]
(1.0 cr)
CHEM 1062 - Chemical Principles II
[PHYS]
(3.0 cr)
CHEM 1066 - Chemical Principles II Laboratory
[PHYS]
(1.0 cr)
CHEM 2301 - Organic Chemistry I
(3.0 cr)
or
Chemistry for the Life Sciences
CHEM 1081 - Chemistry for the Life Sciences I
[PHYS]
(3.0 cr)
CHEM 1065 - Chemical Principles I Laboratory
[PHYS]
(1.0 cr)
CHEM 1082 - Chemistry for the Life Sciences II
(3.0 cr)
CHEM 1086 - Chemistry for the Life Sciences II Laboratory
(1.0 cr)
CHEM 2081 - Chemistry for the Life Sciences III
(3.0 cr)
CHEM 2085 - Chemistry for the Life Sciences III Laboratory
(2.0 cr)
Upper Division Food Science and Nutrition Courses, 9 credits
Students must complete at least 9 credits of 3000-level or above FSCN or NUTR designated courses. Students cannot select a course that is already required for the program.
Take 9 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
FSCN 3xxx
·
FSCN 4xxx
·
NUTR 3xxx
·
NUTR 4xxx
Nutrition Science
The nutritional science option is for students planning to do graduate work in nutrition, related sciences, or professional programs such as medicine or dentistry.
Nutritional Science Courses
PHYS 1221 - Introductory Physics for Life Science Majors I
[PHYS]
(4.0 cr)
PHYS 1222 - Introductory Physics for Life Science Majors II
[PHYS]
(4.0 cr)
FSCN 4622 - Nutritional Toxicology, the basic science of diet-related toxicants
(3.0 cr)
PSY 1001 - Introduction to Psychology
[SOCS]
(4.0 cr)
ANAT 3601 - Principles of Human Anatomy
(3.0 cr)
ANAT 3602 - Principles of Human Anatomy Laboratory
(2.0 cr)
MATH 1142 - Short Calculus
[MATH]
(4.0 cr)
FSCN 4112 - Food Chemistry and Functional Foods
(3.0 cr)
or
FSCN 4121 - Food Microbiology
(3.0 cr)
or
NUTR 5622 - Vitamin and Mineral Biochemistry
(3.0 cr)
or
NUTR 5624 - Nutrition and Genetics
(2.0 cr)
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | BioC 3021/BioC 3022/BioC 4331/ |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Comm 1101/Comm 1101H/PSTL 1461 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Biol 1009/Biol 1009H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | AnSc 3301/AnSc 3303W/Biol 3211 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phsl 3050/Phsl 3051 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | AnSc 3301/AnSc 3303W/Biol 3211 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Biol 2032/MicB 3301/VBS 2032 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Biol 2032/MicB 3301/VBS 2032 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Prerequisites: | BIOL 1009, CHEM 1015 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | AnSc 3011/ESPM 3012/Stat 3011/ |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | OPT No Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CI 1806/Math 1031 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 1061/Chem 1071H/Chem 1081 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 1065/Chem 1075H |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 1062/1072H/1082 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 1066/Chem 1076H |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 2301/Chem 2331H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 1061/Chem 1071H/Chem 1081 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 1065/Chem 1075H |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 1062/1072H/1082 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CI 1806/Math 1031 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Math 1271/Math 1281/Math 1371/ |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 1061/Chem 1071H/Chem 1081 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 1065/Chem 1075H |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 1062/1072H/1082 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 1066/Chem 1076H |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 2301/Chem 2331H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 1061/Chem 1071H/Chem 1081 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 1065/Chem 1075H |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 1062/1072H/1082 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phys 1201W/1301W/1401V/1501V |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phys 1202W/1302W/1402V/1502V |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | FScN 4622/Nutr 5627 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | PSTL 1281/Psy 1001/Psy 1001H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Anat 3001/Anat 3611/Anat 3601 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Anat 3002/3302/3602/3612/3651 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Biol 4003/GCD 3022 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Biol 4003/GCD 3022 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Math 1271/Math 1281/Math 1371/ |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Math 1272/Math 1282/Math 1372/ |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | OPT No Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 1061/Chem 1071H/Chem 1081 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 1065/Chem 1075H |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 1062/1072H/1082 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 1066/Chem 1076H |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 2301/Chem 2331H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 2302/Chem 2332HChem 2304 |
Prerequisites: | Grade of at least C- in 2301 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 2311/Chem 2312H/2312 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |