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Nutritional Science (HSCI)

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Nutritional science looks at the connection between diet and health. Students learn how diet can play a crucial role in the cause, treatment, and prevention of many diseases.  There are degree program focuses within nutritional science:

  • Pre-health and research coursework prepares students for work in research laboratories, graduate study in nutrition or biological sciences, or entrance into health professional programs, such as medical, dental, physician assistant, and pharmacy schools. Students gain a strong science education along with human nutrition expertise. 
  • Health coach and nutrition and wellness coursework prepares students for work positions in program planning and evaluation for community, public health, non-profit, and corporate wellness programs addressing the growing public interest in nutrition, wellness, and preventative health. Students learn about the role of nutrition and healthy eating for disease prevention and wellness. 

The department also offers a nutrition minor.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon graduation, students should be able to: 

  • Communicate effectively in their field of study using written, oral, visual and/or electronic forms.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in ethical data collection and interpretation, literature review and citation, critical thinking and problem solving.
  • Participate effectively in a group or team.
  • Integrate creativity, innovation, or entrepreneurship in ways that produce value.
  • Describe sociocultural competence relative to diversity, equity and/or inclusion.
  • Explain how human activities impact the natural environment and how societies are affected.
  • Meet program specific learning outcomes for the Nutritional Science major.

The department also offers a nutrition minor.

Degree Requirements

Administered by the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition

PRE-HEALTH AND RESEARCH PROGRAM FOCUS

Total Degree Requirement: 120 cr.

Students must fulfill International Perspectives and U.S. Cultures and Communities (formerly U.S. Diversity) requirements by selecting coursework from approved lists. These courses may also be used to fulfill other area requirements. Only 65 cr. from a two-year institution may apply to the degree which may include up to 16 technical cr.; 9 P-NP cr. of electives; 2.00 minimum GPA.    

International Perspectives: 3 cr.
U.S. Cultures and Communities (formerly U.S. Diversity): 3 cr.
Communications and Library: 13 cr.
ENGL 1500Critical Thinking and Communication3
ENGL 2500Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition3
Select from:3
Business Communication
Proposal and Report Writing
Technical Communication
LIB 1600Introduction to College Level Research1
SPCM 2120Fundamentals of Public Speaking3
Total Credits13
Humanities and Social Sciences: 6-12 cr.
Select Humanities courses from approved list3
Select Social Science course from approved list3
If HSCI student, select:6
Additional Humanities course
Additional Humanities or Social Science course
Ethics: 3 cr.
FSHN 3420World Food Issues: Past and Present3
Mathematical Sciences: 6-12 cr.
Select at least 3 credits from: 3-8
College Algebra
Preparation for Calculus
Survey of Calculus
Calculus I
Calculus I
and Calculus II
Select at least 3 credits from:3-4
Principles of Statistics
Introduction to Statistics
Total Credits6-12
Physical Sciences: 13 cr.
CHEM 1770General Chemistry I4
CHEM 1770LLaboratory in General Chemistry I1
CHEM 1780General Chemistry II3
CHEM 1780LLaboratory in College Chemistry II1
CHEM 2310Elementary Organic Chemistry3
or CHEM 3310 Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 2310LLaboratory in Elementary Organic Chemistry1
or CHEM 3310L Laboratory in Organic Chemistry I
Total Credits13
Biological Sciences: 24-29 cr.
BIOL 2110Principles of Biology I3
BIOL 2110LPrinciples of Biology Laboratory I1
BIOL 2120Principles of Biology II3
BIOL 2120LPrinciples of Biology Laboratory II1
BIOL 2550Fundamentals of Human Anatomy3
BIOL 2550LFundamentals of Human Anatomy Laboratory1
Select at least 3 credits from:3-4
Fundamentals of Human Physiology
and Fundamentals of Human Physiology Laboratory
Principles of Human and Other Animal Physiology
BIOL 3130Principles of Genetics3
Select at least 3 credits from:3-6
Survey of Biochemistry
Principles of Biochemistry
Biochemistry I
and Biochemistry II
MICRO 2010Introduction to Microbiology2-3
or MICRO 3020 Biology of Microorganisms
MICRO 2010LIntroductory Microbiology Laboratory1
or MICRO 3020L Microbiology Laboratory
Total Credits24-29
Food Science and Human Nutrition: 30 cr.
FSHN 1100Professional and Educational Preparation1
FSHN 1670Introductory Human Nutrition and Health3
FSHN 2650Nutrition for Active and Healthy Lifestyles3
FSHN 3600Advanced Nutrition and the Regulation of Metabolism in Health and Disease3
FSHN 3610Nutrition and Health Assessment2
FSHN 3620Nutrition and Health Throughout the Lifecycle3
FSHN 4670Molecular Basis of Nutrition in Disease Etiology and Health Promotion3
FSHN 4920Research Concepts in Human Nutrition2
Select at least 10 additional credits from:10
Contemporary Issues in Food Science and Human Nutrition
Scientific Study of Food
and Advanced Food Preparation Laboratory (or FSHN 1150 lab)
The US Food System
FSHN 2670X
Clinical Perspectives on Human Nutrition and Health
Nutrigenomics: From Basic Science to Translational Impact
Nutrition and Prevention of Chronic Disease
Obesity and Health
Medical Terminology for Health Professionals
U.S. Health Systems and Policy
Global Nutrition, Health and Sustainability
Medical Nutrition and Disease I
Community Nutrition and Health
Medical Nutrition and Disease II
Nutrition Counseling and Education Methods
Independent Study: Nutrition
Undergraduate Research
Nutrition and Epigenetic Regulation of Gene Expression
Principles of Molecular Cell Biology
Organic Chemistry II
Laboratory in Organic Chemistry II
General Physics I
and General Physics I Laboratory
Introduction to Classical Physics I
and Introduction to Classical Physics I Laboratory
General Physics II
and General Physics II Laboratory
Introduction to Classical Physics II
and Introduction to Classical Physics II Laboratory
Total Credits30
Electives: 2-25 cr. Select from any university coursework to earn at least 120 total credits. Students planning to apply to health professional programs should review entrance requirements and select appropriate courses as electives.

Concurrent B.S. and M.S. Program: Well-qualified students in Nutritional Science, pre-health and research option, who are interested in graduate study may apply for concurrent enrollment in the Graduate College to simultaneously pursue both a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Nutritional Science and a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Nutritional Sciences. For more information, refer to www.fshn.hs.iastate.edu

HEALTH COACH / NUTRITION & WELLNESS PROGRAM FOCUS

Total Degree Requirement: 120 cr.

Students must fulfill international perspectives and U.S. cultures and communities (formerly U.S. diversity) requirements by selecting coursework from approved lists. These courses may also be used to fulfill other area requirements. Only 65 cr. from a two-year institution may apply to the degree which may include up to 16 technical cr.; 9 P-NP cr. of electives; 2.00 minimum GPA.

International Perspectives: 3 cr.
U.S. Cultures and Communities (formerly U.S. Diversity): 3 cr.
Communications/Library: 10 cr.
ENGL 1500Critical Thinking and Communication3
ENGL 2500Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition3
LIB 1600Introduction to College Level Research1
SPCM 2120Fundamentals of Public Speaking3
Total Credits10
Humanities and Social Sciences: 12-15 cr.
Select Humanities course from approved list3
PSYCH 1010Introduction to Psychology3
or PSYCH 2300 Developmental Psychology
SOC 1340Introduction to Sociology3
FSHN 3420World Food Issues: Past and Present (this course can also meet the IP requirement)3
If HSCI student, select additional Humanities course3
Mathematical Sciences: 6-8 cr.
Select at least 3 credits from: 3-4
College Algebra
Preparation for Calculus
Survey of Calculus
Calculus I
Select at least 3 credits from: 3-4
Principles of Statistics
Introduction to Statistics
Total Credits6-8
Physical Sciences: 5 cr.
CHEM 1630College Chemistry4
or CHEM 1770 General Chemistry I
CHEM 1630LLaboratory in College Chemistry1
or CHEM 1770L Laboratory in General Chemistry I
Total Credits5
Biological Sciences: 18-19 cr.
BIOL 2110Principles of Biology I3
BIOL 2110LPrinciples of Biology Laboratory I1
BIOL 2120Principles of Biology II3
BIOL 2120LPrinciples of Biology Laboratory II1
BIOL 2550Fundamentals of Human Anatomy3
BIOL 2550LFundamentals of Human Anatomy Laboratory1
BIOL 2560
2560L
Fundamentals of Human Physiology
and Fundamentals of Human Physiology Laboratory
3-4
or BIOL 3350 Principles of Human and Other Animal Physiology
MICRO 2010Introduction to Microbiology2
MICRO 2010LIntroductory Microbiology Laboratory1
Total Credits18-19
Food Systems: 8 cr.
FSHN 2420The US Food System3
FSHN 3420World Food Issues: Past and Present (course shown above)3
FSHN 4420Issues in Food and Society2
Total Credits8
Food Science and Human Nutrition: 34 cr.
FSHN 1010Food and the Consumer3
FSHN 1100Professional and Educational Preparation1
FSHN 1150Food Preparation Laboratory1
FSHN 1670Introductory Human Nutrition and Health3
FSHN 2030Contemporary Issues in Food Science and Human Nutrition1
FSHN 2650Nutrition for Active and Healthy Lifestyles3
FSHN 3610Nutrition and Health Assessment2
FSHN 3640Nutrition and Prevention of Chronic Disease3
FSHN 3650Obesity and Health3
FSHN 4300U.S. Health Systems and Policy2
FSHN 4450Strategies for Personal Food Waste Reduction1
FSHN 4630Community Nutrition and Health3
COMST 4500BSpecial Topics in Communication Studies: Health Communication3
Total Credits29

Additional courses for Health Coach Program Focus: 18 credits

KIN 2580Principles of Physical Fitness and Conditioning2
KIN 3580Exercise Physiology3
KIN 4580Principles of Fitness Assessment and Exercise Prescription4
PSYCH 1010Introduction to Psychology3
or PSYCH 2300 Developmental Psychology
PSYCH 4220Counseling Theories and Techniques3
PSYCH 4850Health Psychology3
Total Credits18

Select additional electives to reach 120 total semester credits.

Additional courses for Nutrition & Wellness Program Focus: 18-30 credits of electives

At least 9 credits of electives must be 3000-4000 level courses. Select from any university coursework to earn at least 120 total credits.

NOTE: 

Students are encouraged to pursue a minor, such as:

  • Communication studies
  • Culinary food science
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Environmental studies
  • Event management
  • Exercise science
  • Global health
  • Health promotion
  • Hospitality management
  • Human development and family studies
  • Leadership studies
  • Sustainability

Go to FSHN courses.

Nutritional Science, B.S.

Program Focus: Health Coach1, Nutrition & Wellness2

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
FSHN 11001FSHN 10103
FSHN 16703CHEM 1630 or 17704
MATH 1400, 1430, 1600, or 16503-4CHEM 1630L or 1770L1
BIOL 21103BIOL 21203
BIOL 2110L1BIOL 2120L1
ENGL 15003Course based on program focus: 3
LIB 16001 
 
Elective2
 
 15-16 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MICRO 20102FSHN 20301
MICRO 2010L1FSHN 24203
FSHN 2640 FSHN 26503
BIOL 25503BIOL 2560 and 2560L, or 33503-4
BIOL 2550L1FSHN 1110 
ENGL 25003FSHN 11501
Course based on program focus:2-3 
  
Elective2
  
 12-13 11-12
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
FSHN 36403FSHN 34203
PSYCH 1010 or 23003FSHN 36102
SPCM 21203FSHN 36503
STAT 1040 or 10103-4COMST 4500B3
Course based on program focus:3Humanities (HSCI) or elective (AGLS)3
 Course based on program focus:3
Elective2
  
 
3000-4000 level elective2
 
 15-16 17
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
FSHN 44202FSHN 44501
FSHN 46303FSHN 43002
Humanities3Course based on program focus:3
SOC 13403 
Course based on program focus:3
3000-4000 level elective2
 
 U.S. Cultures and Communities (formerly U.S. Diversity) 3
3000-4000 level elective2
 Electives (choose electives to total at least 120 credits)4-6
 14 13-15
1, 2

Courses for program focus: Health Coach1, Nutrition & Wellness2

Note:

This sequence is only an example. The number of credits taken each semester should be based on the individual student's situation. Factors that may affect credit hours per semester include student ability, employment, health, activities, and grade point consideration.

Nutritional Science, B.S. 

Program Focus: Pre-Health & Research

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
FSHN 11001FSHN 16703
CHEM 17704CHEM 17803
CHEM 1770L1CHEM 1780L1
BIOL 21103BIOL 21203
BIOL 2110L1BIOL 2120L1
ENGL 15003MATH 1400, 1430, 1600, or 16503-4
LIB 16001 
Humanities3 
 17 14-15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CHEM 2310 or 33103FSHN 26503
CHEM 2310L or 3310L1BBMB 3010 or 3160, or BBMB 4040 and 4050 the next year3
BIOL 31303Social Science3
STAT 1010 or 10403-4Humanities (HSCI) or elective3
ENGL 25003Elective*3
SPCM 21203 
 16-17 15
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BIOL 25503BIOL 2560 and 2560L, or 33503-4
BIOL 2550L1FSHN 36102
FSHN 36003FSHN 36203
FSHN 34203Humanities/Social Sci. (HSCI) or elective (AGLS)*3
MICRO 2010 or 30202-3Additional course from approved list**3
MICRO 2010L or 3020L1 
Elective*3 
 16-17 14-15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
FSHN 49202FSHN 46703
Additional course from approved list**3ENGL 3020, 3090, or 31403
Additional course from approved list**3U.S. Cultures and Communities (formerly U.S. Diversity) (if not already taken) or elective*3
Additional course from approved list**1Elective*3-4
Elective*3Elective*3
Elective*3 
 15 15-16
*

Choose elective courses to total equal to or greater than 120 credits.

**

 Select at least 10 additional credits from: BIOL 3140; CHEM 3320, CHEM 3320LFSHN 2140 with lab (FSHN 1150 or FSHN 2150); FSHN 2030, FSHN 2420, FSHN 2670X, FSHN 3010, FSHN 3640, FSHN 3650, FSHN 3670, FSHN 4300, FSHN 4600, FSHN 4610, FSHN 4630, FSHN 4640, FSHN 4660, FSHN 4900C, FSHN 4990; NUTRS 5010, NUTRS 5040; PHYS 1310 or PHYS 2310/PHYS 2310L; PHYS 1320 or PHYS 2320/PHYS 2320L.

Note:

This sequence is only an example. The number of credits taken each semester should be based on the individual student's situation. Factors that may affect credit hours per semester include student ability, employment, health, activities, and grade point consideration.  

The Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition offers a Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Nutritional Sciences. More information can be found here: https://www.grad-college.iastate.edu/academics/programs/apresults.php?id=84.