Food Science and Human Nutrition

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The mission of the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition is to provide undergraduate education in three concentrations: food science, human nutrition, and food management. Each concentration prepares students for different careers in the area of food science and human nutrition.

Food Science is the application of the principles of the basic sciences to food systems. The Food Science concentration, an approved Institute of Food Technologists program, is challenging and requires a strong background in mathematics and science. Employment opportunities are excellent in the government, food industries, or institutions of higher education with starting salaries from $30,000 to $50,000 with an undergraduate degree (BS). We have thus far had l00% job placement for graduates.

Human Nutrition is the study of the effect of nutrients on people’s health and the role of diet in prevention or treatment of chronic diseases. It is a challenging, diverse, rewarding and growing field that requires a strong background in science. The Human Nutrition concentration (Didactic Program in Dietetics) at the University of Maine is Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetics Association. After graduation, students are eligible to apply for a dietetic internship, which leads to a Registered (RD) and/or Licensed (LD) Dietitian credential. RDs work in many different settings to assist people with planning their nutrition including: hospitals and other healthcare facilities, sports nutrition and corporate wellness programs, community and public health settings, business and industry, and private practice. Those not interested in obtaining an RD could be employed as dietary managers, nutrition educators, public health nutritionists, food service administrators, and consultants for the food and nutrition industries.

Food Management provides a unique combination of nutrition, food science and business. This option provides flexibility in planning a curriculum to suit an individual’s needs. Graduates find employment in restaurants, hospitals, schools, food companies, airline catering, consultants, and marketing and business management.

Food Science and Human Nutrition majors will find that the curriculum with additional courses will meet the entrance requirements for medical, dental, and veterinary schools. For Food Science students, an additional course in physics is required. For Nutrition students, additional courses in physics, chemistry and mathematics are required.

In all concentrations, students can apply for competitive scholarships within the Department, College and through professional organizations such as the Maine Nutrition Council, American Dietetic Association, the Institute of Food Technologists, Northeast IFT Section and industry. All scholarships are based upon scholastic ability, extracurricular activities, and interests. Many students in this major have been successful in obtaining scholarships.

Students in all concentrations have the opportunity to gain valuable experience in their field by doing research with professors through for-credit independent studies course, work-study and/or work merit. Also we encourage and try to help students get summer employment or internships in their area of interest.

The Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition is the only department in the State of Maine to provide undergraduate education in food science and human nutrition.

The courses needed for the three concentrations in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition are given below. Students who are interested in these programs can contact either the undergraduate coordinator or the chair of the department.

Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Human Nutrition with three concentrations -
Food Science, Food Management, or Human Nutrition.

A Bachelor of Science degree in these concentrations will prepare students for professional work in either food science, food management or human nutrition. The requirements in food science and human nutrition will be sufficient for admission to graduate schools in each program. Students taking the food management requirements would be prepared for graduate school in business if they take the appropriate business courses at the undergraduate level.

Food Science and Human Nutrition

Satisfy general education requirements
Satisfy bachelor of science requirements
Minimum food science and human nutrition requirements: FSN 101, 103, 270, 330, 340,
Biology: BIO 100
Mathematics: MAT 232
Computer: COS 102, COS 103, COS 104
Communications: ENG 101 and 317, CMJ 103
All FSN majors must achieve a minimum grade of C (2.0) in each FSN course taken

Food Management Concentration

Satisfy the core requirements of the Department
Satisfy the bachelor of science requirements
Biochemistry and Microbiology requirements: BMB 207, 208
Food Science and Human Nutrition requirements: FSN 202, 238, 396, 436, 489, 520
Mathematics requirements: MAT 111
Business requirements: BUA 201, 202, 325, 350, 370
Economics Requirement: ECO 120, ECO 121

Food Science Concentration

Satisfy the core requirements of the Department
Satisfy the bachelor of science requirements
Biochemistry and Microbiology requirements: BMB 221, 222, 300, 305, 322, 323
Chemistry requirements: CHY 251 with lab, 252 with lab
Food Science and Human Nutrition requirements: FSN 436, 438, 482, 483, 489, 502, 520, 585, 587
Mathematics requirements: MAT 126, 127 or 400 level statistics course
Physics requirements: PHY 111
Economics: INT 110
Resource Economics and Policy requirement: REP 465

Human Nutrition Concentration

Satisfy core requirements of the Department
Satisfy the bachelor of science requirements
Biology requirements: BIO 208
Biochemistry and Microbiology requirements: BMB 207, 208, 221, 222, 300, (or FSN 238) 322, 323
Food Science and Human Nutrition requirements: FSN 202, 230, 301, 401, 410, 420, 430 + 3 FSN elective credits.
Mathematics requirement: MAT 111
Business requirements: BUA 201, REP 254
Psychology requirement: PSY 100
Pathophysiology Requirement: NUR 303