• Description of Program
• Admission
• Degree Requirements
• Special Opportunities
• Careers

Description of Program

Nutrition science blends the curriculum requirements for admission to medicine, dentistry, optometry, and physician assistant programs with a strong emphasis on nutrition and its role in the prevention and treatment of disease. The program also provides a thorough background in advanced biology and biochemistry courses, with laboratory components to prepare students for further study in related fields and research. The program integrates nutrition and the physical and life sciences, such as chemistry, biology, and physiology, to promote detailed understanding of the role of nutrients in metabolism.

Admission

Apply online for undergraduate admission to Indiana University at http://admissions.indiana.edu/.

A newly admitted freshman or transfer student, beginning in the fall 2020 semester, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Applied Health Science degree with a major in nutrition science, will receive an offer of direct freshman admission to the this program if he or she meets both of the following criteria:

1. Entrance Test Scores: The applicant must have earned one of the following minimum standardized test scores:
   • a combined critical reading and math score on the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) of 1280. --or--
   • a composite score on the ACT (American College Test) of 27.
2. Academic Performance: The applicant must either:
   • possess a minimum cumulative high school GPA of 3.5. --or--
   • rank in the top 12 percent of his or her high school graduating class.

Before entering the School of Public Health - Bloomington as a nutrition science major, all other students begin studies in the University Division, and then subsequently certify into this program as soon as they satisfy the following two admission criteria:

Students in the University Division must also declare their intention to major in nutrition science to the University Division Records Office. If a student earns less than 2.0 semester GPA for the term before entering the School of Public Health-Bloomington, the student may be admitted on academic probation as long as the student has completed 30 credits and has at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA.

International applicants for admission to a second undergraduate degree program in the School of Public Health - Bloomington, whose primary language is not English, must satisfy one of the following criteria before being considered for admission directly into one the School's degree programs:

• submission of a minimum score on the Test Of English As a Foreign Language (TOEFL), of 550 on the paper-based test, or 213 on the computer-based test, or 80 on the Internet-based test.
• submission of a minimum score of 7 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
• proof of completing at least three full years of secondary school in a predominantly English speaking country.

For students from countries where the TOEFL and the IELTS are not available, other evidence of English proficiency may be considered.

All entering international students whose primary language is not English will be required to take a special examination in English with IU prior to registering. Prepared by IU and designed to test a student’s ability to use English in an academic setting, the exam consists of three parts: an essay on a general topic, a listening comprehension exercise, and a grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension section. There is little that one can do to prepare for this exam other than to continue using written and spoken English at every opportunity. Appropriate remedial English courses may be prescribed on the basis of the results of this test.

International students whose primary language is not English must agree to take any English language courses prescribed from the results of this examination. Fees for special part-time English courses are the same as for other courses; however, credits earned do not meet degree requirements. If the results of the proficiency examination indicate that full-time work in English is required, the student will be assigned to the Intensive English Program (IEP).  

Students enrolled in IEP do not take academic courses until they achieve adequate English proficiency. If a student has serious doubts about English ability and is not financially prepared to undertake the additional time and expense of an intensive English program here, the student should consider completing English study in the student’s home country. In addition, the student may consider delaying admission to a future session.

Degree Requirements

• completion of general education requirements.
• completion of nutrition science major requirements.
• a minimum of 120 successfully completed credit hours which count toward the degree program.
• a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.
• a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA in courses used to complete the portions of this degree entitled: Nutrition Science Core, Specialization Courses, Life Sciences Courses, and Communication Course.
• No Pass/Fail except for free electives.

General Education (20 – 39 credits)

All undergraduate students must complete the IU Bloomington campus-wide general education common ground requirements. Such students must visit the 2019-2020 General Education Bulletin to view these requirements.

Major (91-93 cr.)

School Core (3 cr.)
Complete the following course with a minimum C– grade:

• SPH-B 150 Introduction to Public Health (3 cr.) +S&H (or equivalent)

Nutrition Science Core (78-79 cr.)
A minimum grade of C– is required in each nutrition core course.
Complete each of the following courses:

• SPH-N 120 Introduction to Foods (3 cr.)
• SPH-N 231 Human Nutrition (3 cr.) +N&M
• SPH-N 320 Food Chemistry (3 cr.)
• SPH-N 325 Food Chemistry Laboratory (3 cr.)
• SPH-N 430 Advanced Nutrition I (3 cr.)
• SPH-N 431 Medical Nutrition Therapy (3 cr.)
• SPH-N 432 Advanced Nutrition II (3 cr.)
• SPH-N 492 Research in Nutrition/Dietetics (3 cr.) or SPH-H 494 Research and Evaluation Methods in Health and Safety (3 cr.)
• BIOL-L 112 Introduction to Biology: Biological Mechanisms (4 cr.) +N&M
• BIOL-L 113 Biology Laboratory (3 cr.)
• BIOL-L 211 Molecular Biology (3 cr.)
• BIOL-M 250 Microbiology (3 cr.) or BIOL-M 200 Microorganism in Nature and Disease (3 cr.)
• CHEM-C 117 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry 1 (3 cr.) +N&M
• CHEM-C 127 Chemistry and Biochemistry Laboratory 1 (2 cr.) +N&M
• CHEM-C 341 Organic Chemistry Lectures 1 (3 cr.)
• CHEM-C 342 Organic Chemistry Lectures 2 (3 cr.)
• CHEM-C 343 Organic Chemistry Laboratory 1 (2 cr.)
• CHEM-N 330 Intermediate Inorganic Chemistry (5 cr.) or CHEM-C 118 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry II (5 cr.)
• ANAT-A 215 Basic Human Anatomy (5 cr.) +N&M
• PHSL-P 215 Basic Human Physiology (5 cr.) +N&M
• PHYS-P 201 General Physics I (5 cr.) +N&M or PHYS-P 221 Physics I (5 cr.)
• MATH-M 211 Calculus I (4 cr.) +N&M or MATH-M 119 Brief Survey of Calculus I (3 cr.) +N&M
• SPH-Q 381 Introduction to Biostatistics (3 cr.) or STAT-S 303 Applied Statistical Methods for the Life Sciences (3 cr.) or MATH-K/PSY-K/SPEA-K 300 Statistical Techniques (3 cr.) or MATH-K/PSY-K 310 Statistical Techniques (3 cr.) (3 cr.) or STAT-S 300 Introduction to Applied Statistical Methods (3 cr.)
• CLAS-C 209 Medical Terms from Greek and Latin (2 cr.)

Specialty Track (10-11 cr.)
A minimum grade of C– is required.
Complete one of following specialty tracks:

Specialty Track: Pre-Medicine (11 cr.)
A minimum grade of C– is required.
Complete each of the following three courses:

• CHEM-C 483 Biological Chemistry (3 cr.) (recommended choice) -or- CHEM-C 383 Human Biochemistry (3 cr.) -or- BIOT-T 440 Structure, Function, Regulation of Biomolocules
• PHYS-P 202 General Physics II (5 cr.) +N&M or PHYS-P 222 Physics II (5 cr.)
• PSY-P 101 Introductory Psychology 1 (3 cr.)

Recommended but not required: Pre-Medine Recommended Electives (12 cr.)

• ENG-W 231 Professional Writing Skills (3 cr.)
• PHIL-P 140 Introduction to Ethics (3 cr.) +A&H
• PSY-P 102 Introductory Psychology 2 (3 cr.) +S&H
• SOC-S 100 Introduction to Sociology (3 cr.) +S&H

Specialty Track: Pre-Dental (10-11 cr.)
A minimum grade of C– is required.
Complete each of the following three courses:

• BIOL-M 380 Mirobiology of Infectious Disease (3 cr.) -or- BIOL-L 321 Principles of Immunology (3 cr.)
• CHEM-C 383 Human Biochemistry (3 cr.) -or- CHEM-C 483 Biological Chemistry (3 cr.) -or- BIOL-M 315 Microbiology Laboratory (2 cr.)
• PHYS-P 202 General Physics II (5 cr.) +N&M or PHYS-P 222 Physics II (5 cr.)

Recommended but not required: Pre-Dental Recommended Electives (12 cr.)

• ENG-W 231 Professional Writing Skills (3 cr.)
• PHIL-P 140 Introduction to Ethics (3 cr.) +A&H
• PSY-P 101 Introductory Psychology 1 (3 cr.) -or- COLL-P 155 Public Oral Communication(3 cr.) -or- ANTH-A 122 Interpersonal Communication
• SOC-S 100 Introduction to Sociology (3 cr.) +S&H

Specialty Track: Pre-Physician Assistant (11 cr.)
A minimum grade of C– is required.
Complete each of the following three courses:

• BIOL-M 315 Microbiology Laboratory (2 cr.)
• CHEM-C 383 Human Biochemistry (3 cr.) -or- CHEM-C 483 Biological Chemistry (3 cr.) -or- BIOL-L 321 Principles of Immunology (3 cr.)

Complete one of the following pairs of courses:(6 cr.)

• BIOL-L 311 Genetics (3 cr.) -and- BIOL-L 319 Genetics Laboratory (3 cr.)
• or
• BIOL-L 312 Cell Biology (3 cr.) -and- BIOL-L 313 Cell Biology Laboratory (3 cr.)

Recommended but not required: Pre-Physician Assistant Recommended Electives (12 cr.)

• ENG-W 231 Professional Writing Skills (3 cr.)
• PHIL-P 140 Introduction to Ethics (3 cr.) +A&H
• PSY-P 101 Introductory Psychology 1 (3 cr.)
• PSY-P 102 Introductory Psychology 2 (3 cr.) +S&H

Specialty Track: Pre-Optometry (10 cr.)
A minimum grade of C– is required.
Complete each of the following three courses:

• BIOL-M 315 Mirobiology Laboratory (2 cr.)
• CHEM-C 383 Human Biochemistry (3 cr.) -or- CHEM-C 483 Biological Chemistry (3 cr.)
• PHYS-P 202 General Physics II (5 cr.) +N&M or PHYS-P 222 Physics II (5 cr.)

Recommended but not required: Pre-Optometry Recommended Electives (12 cr.)

• ENG-W 231 Professional Writing Skills (3 cr.)
• PHIL-P 140 Introduction to Ethics (3 cr.) +A&H
• PSY-P 101 Introductory Psychology 1 (3 cr.)
• PSY-P 102 Introductory Psychology 2 (3 cr.) +S&H

Specialty Track: Exploratory (11 cr.)
A minimum grade of C– is required.
Complete each of the following three courses:

• BIOL-M 315 Mirobiology Laboratory (2 cr.)
• CHEM-C 383 Human Biochemistry (3 cr.) -or- CHEM-C 483 Biological Chemistry (3 cr.) -or- BIOT-T 440 Structure, Function, Regulation of Biomolocules

Complete two of the following courses (6 cr.):

• SPH-E 311 Introduction to Epidemiology (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 409 Basic Physiology of Exercise (3 cr.)
• SPH-N 305 Nutrition, Performance, and Disease (3 cr.)
• SPH-N 331 Life Cycle Nutrition (3 cr.)
• SPH-N 336 Public Health Nutrition (3 cr.)
• SPH-V 442 Introduction to Toxicology (3 cr.) (P: ANAT-A 215 and PHSL-P 215) or MSCI-M 115 and BIOL-L 112 and BIOL-L 113 and CHEM-C 117 and CHEM-C 127 and (SPH-V 235 or BIOL-L 211). Open only to Environmental Health majors or minors

Recommended but not required: Exploratory Recommended Electives (12 cr.)

• COLL-P 155 Public Oral Communication(3 cr.) -or- ANTH-A 122 Interpersonal Communication
• ENG-W 231 Professional Writing Skills (3 cr.)
• PHIL-P 140 Introduction to Ethics (3 cr.) +A&H
• PSY-P 101 Introductory Psychology 1 (3 cr.) +S&H

Recommended Electives
Prehealth, professional (medical/dental) students should take at least 5 credit hours of their electives in the College of Arts and Sciences, none of which should be under the Pass/Fail option. (The IU School of Medicine requires at least 90 credits of courses from the College of Arts and Sciences. To meet that requirement, students need at least 5 credits of electives from the College of Arts and Sciences.) Premed and predental students should also choose courses that will give them a breadth of knowledge. Medical and dental schools look for students who excel in a variety of disciplines. In addition, premed and predental students should look for courses that will expand their knowledge of diversity issues (SPH-H 310 Health Care in Diverse Communities, and courses in Social Work, Sociology, and Criminal Justice). Finally, students may want to use their electives to complete a minor.

Suggested electives in School of Public Health - Bloomington include:

• SPH-B 310 Health Care in Diverse Communities (3 cr.)
• SPH-H 263 Personal Health (3 cr.) +S&H
• SPH-N 433 Medical Nutrition Therapy Application (2 cr.)
• SPH-N 441 Readings in Nutrition and Dietetics (1-3 cr.)
• SPH-H 494 Research and Evaluative Methods in Health and Safety (3 cr.)

Suggested Nutrition Science Courses for the First-Year Student
Fall Semester
CHEM-C 117/127 or 103 (5 cr.) or MATH-M 119 (3 cr.)
ENG-W 131 Elementary Composition 1 (3 cr.) or equivalent
SPH-N 120 Introduction to Foods (3 cr.)
Arts and Humanities /World Languages and Cultures Elective (3 cr.)
Free Elective (3 cr.)

Spring Semester
BIOL-L 112 Introduction to Biology: Biological Mechanisms (4 cr.)
CHEM-C 117/127 or 103 (5 cr.) or MATH-M 119 (3 cr.)
COLL-P 155 Public Oral Communication (3 cr.) or ANTH-A 122 Interpersonal Communication (3 cr.)
SPH-B 150 Introduction to Public Health (3 cr.)
Free Electrives (3 cr.)

Special Opportunities

Special opportunities include individualized research with faculty members, laboratory experiences, and volunteer opportunities in nutrition education.

Careers

The study of nutrition science lays a solid foundation for future academics, researchers, doctors, dentists, physicians' assistants, and other health professionals. Graduates with a bachelor's degree can also work in government agencies that focus on nutrition, or they can pursue laboratory work or pharmaceutical sales. Graduates with an M.S. in Nutrition Science can do research in nutrition, food science, or health-related fields.