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Nutritional Science (H SCI)

This is an archived copy of the 2023-2024 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.iastate.edu.

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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. 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. Diversity: 3 cr.
Communications and Library: 13 cr.
ENGL 150Critical Thinking and Communication3
ENGL 250Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition3
Select from:3
Business Communication
Proposal and Report Writing
Technical Communication
LIB 160Introduction to College Level Research1
SP CM 212Fundamentals 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 H Sci student, select:6
Additional Humanities course
Additional Humanities or Social Science course
Ethics: 3 cr.
FS HN 342World 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 177General Chemistry I4
CHEM 177LLaboratory in General Chemistry I1
CHEM 178General Chemistry II3
CHEM 178LLaboratory in College Chemistry II1
CHEM 231Elementary Organic Chemistry3
or CHEM 331 Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 231LLaboratory in Elementary Organic Chemistry1
or CHEM 331L Laboratory in Organic Chemistry I
Total Credits13
Biological Sciences: 24-29 cr.
BIOL 211Principles of Biology I3
BIOL 211LPrinciples of Biology Laboratory I1
BIOL 212Principles of Biology II3
BIOL 212LPrinciples of Biology Laboratory II1
BIOL 255Fundamentals of Human Anatomy3
BIOL 255LFundamentals 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 313Principles of Genetics3
Select at least 3 credits from:3-6
Survey of Biochemistry
Principles of Biochemistry
Biochemistry I
and Biochemistry II
MICRO 201Introduction to Microbiology2-3
or MICRO 302 Biology of Microorganisms
MICRO 201LIntroductory Microbiology Laboratory1
or MICRO 302L Microbiology Laboratory
Total Credits24-29
Food Science and Human Nutrition: 30 cr.
FS HN 110Professional and Educational Preparation1
FS HN 167Introductory Human Nutrition and Health3
FS HN 265Nutrition for Active and Healthy Lifestyles3
FS HN 360Advanced Nutrition and the Regulation of Metabolism in Health and Disease3
FS HN 361Nutrition and Health Assessment2
FS HN 362Nutrition and Health Throughout the Lifecycle3
FS HN 467Molecular Basis of Nutrition in Disease Etiology and Health Promotion3
FS HN 492Research 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 FS HN 115 lab)
The US Food System
FS HN 267X
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 and Health
Medical Nutrition and Disease I
Community Nutrition and Health
Medical Nutrition and Disease II
Nutrition Counseling and Education Methods
Independent Study: Nutrition
Undergraduate Research
Biochemical and Physiological Basis of Nutrition: Macronutrients and Micronutrients
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. 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. Diversity: 3 cr.
Communications/Library: 10 cr.
ENGL 150Critical Thinking and Communication3
ENGL 250Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition3
LIB 160Introduction to College Level Research1
SP CM 212Fundamentals of Public Speaking3
Total Credits10
Humanities and Social Sciences: 12-15 cr.
Select Humanities course from approved list3
PSYCH 101Introduction to Psychology3
or PSYCH 230 Developmental Psychology
SOC 134Introduction to Sociology3
FS HN 342World Food Issues: Past and Present (this course can also meet the IP requirement)3
If H Sci 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 163College Chemistry4
or CHEM 177 General Chemistry I
CHEM 163LLaboratory in College Chemistry1
or CHEM 177L Laboratory in General Chemistry I
Total Credits5
Biological Sciences: 18-19 cr.
BIOL 211Principles of Biology I3
BIOL 211LPrinciples of Biology Laboratory I1
BIOL 212Principles of Biology II3
BIOL 212LPrinciples of Biology Laboratory II1
BIOL 255Fundamentals of Human Anatomy3
BIOL 255LFundamentals of Human Anatomy Laboratory1
BIOL 256
256L
Fundamentals of Human Physiology
and Fundamentals of Human Physiology Laboratory
3-4
or BIOL 335 Principles of Human and Other Animal Physiology
MICRO 201Introduction to Microbiology2
MICRO 201LIntroductory Microbiology Laboratory1
Total Credits18-19
Food Systems: 8 cr.
FS HN 242The US Food System3
FS HN 342World Food Issues: Past and Present (course shown above)3
FS HN 442Issues in Food and Society2
Total Credits8
Food Science and Human Nutrition: 34 cr.
FS HN 101Food and the Consumer3
FS HN 110Professional and Educational Preparation1
FS HN 111Fundamentals of Food Preparation2
FS HN 115Food Preparation Laboratory1
FS HN 167Introductory Human Nutrition and Health3
FS HN 203Contemporary Issues in Food Science and Human Nutrition1
FS HN 264Fundamentals of Nutritional Biochemistry3
or BBMB 301 Survey of Biochemistry
FS HN 265Nutrition for Active and Healthy Lifestyles3
FS HN 361Nutrition and Health Assessment2
FS HN 364Nutrition and Prevention of Chronic Disease3
FS HN 365Obesity and Health3
FS HN 430U.S. Health Systems and Policy2
FS HN 445Strategies for Personal Food Waste Reduction1
FS HN 463Community Nutrition and Health3
COMST 450BSpecial Topics in Communication Studies: Health Communication3
Total Credits34

Additional courses for Health Coach Program Focus:  18 credits

KIN 258Principles of Physical Fitness and Conditioning2
KIN 358Exercise Physiology3
KIN 458Principles of Fitness Assessment and Exercise Prescription4
PSYCH 101Introduction to Psychology3
or PSYCH 230 Developmental Psychology
PSYCH 422Counseling Theories and Techniques3
PSYCH 485Health 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 300-400 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 FS HN courses.

Nutritional Science, B.S.

Program Focus: Health Coach1, Nutrition & Wellness2

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
FS HN 1101FS HN 1013
FS HN 1673CHEM 163 or 1774
MATH 140, 143, 160, or 1653-4CHEM 163L or 177L1
BIOL 2113BIOL 2123
BIOL 211L1BIOL 212L1
ENGL 1503Course based on program focus: 3
LIB 1601 
 
Elective2
 
 15-16 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MICRO 2012FS HN 2031
MICRO 201L1FS HN 2423
FS HN 2643FS HN 2653
BIOL 2553BIOL 256 and 256L, or 3353-4
BIOL 255L1FS HN 1112
ENGL 2503FS HN 1151
Course based on program focus:2-3 
  
Elective2
  
 15-16 13-14
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
FS HN 3643FS HN 3423
PSYCH 101 or 2303FS HN 3612
SP CM 2123FS HN 3653
STAT 104 or 1013-4COMST 450B3
Course based on program focus:3Humanities (H Sci) or elective (AgLS)3
 Course based on program focus:3
Elective2
  
 
300-400 level elective2
 
 15-16 17
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
FS HN 4422FS HN 4451
FS HN 4633FS HN 4302
Humanities3Course based on program focus:3
SOC 1343 
Course based on program focus:3
300-400 level elective2
 
 U.S. Diversity3
300-400 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
FS HN 1101FS HN 1673
CHEM 1774CHEM 1783
CHEM 177L1CHEM 178L1
BIOL 2113BIOL 2123
BIOL 211L1BIOL 212L1
ENGL 1503MATH 140, 143, 160, or 1653-4
LIB 1601 
Humanities3 
 17 14-15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CHEM 231 or 3313FS HN 2653
CHEM 231L or 331L1BBMB 301 or 316, or BBMB 404 and 405 the next year3
BIOL 3133Social Science3
STAT 101 or 1043-4Humanities (H Sci) or elective3
ENGL 2503Elective*3
SP CM 2123 
 16-17 15
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BIOL 2553BIOL 256 and 256L, or 3353-4
BIOL 255L1FS HN 3612
FS HN 3603FS HN 3623
FS HN 3423Humanities/Social Sci. (H Sci) or elective (AgLS)*3
MICRO 201 or 3022-3Additional course from approved list**3
MICRO 201L or 302L1 
Elective*3 
 16-17 14-15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
FS HN 4922FS HN 4673
Additional course from approved list**3ENGL 302, 309, or 3143
Additional course from approved list**3US 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 314; CHEM 332, CHEM 332LFS HN 214 with lab (FS HN 115 or FS HN 215); FS HN 203, FS HN 242, FS HN 267X, FS HN 301, FS HN 364, FS HN 365, FS HN 367, FS HN 430, FS HN 460, FS HN 461, FS HN 463, FS HN 464, FS HN 466, FS HN 490C, FS HN 499; NUTRS 501, NUTRS 504; PHYS 131 or PHYS 231/PHYS 231L; PHYS 132 or PHYS 232/PHYS 232L.

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.