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 four concentrations: food science, human nutrition and dietetics, food management, and nutrition science. 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 and Dietetics 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 and Dietetics concentration (Didactic Program in Dietetics) at the University of Maine is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic 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.

Nutrition Science is for students wishing to apply to post-baccalaureate programs in the health professions in order to become physicians, optometrists, dentists, chiropractors, podiatrists, physician assistants, and in related health professions. The curriculum meets the course requirements for the minor in Pre-Medical Studies and contains a strong foundation in basic science with an additional emphasis on the applied science of human nutrition.

Food Science and Human Nutrition majors will find that the curriculum with additional courses meets 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, 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 four 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 four concentrations -
Food Science, Food Management, Human Nutrition and Dietetics, or Nutrition Science.

A Bachelor of Science degree in these concentrations prepares students for professional work in either food science, food management, human nutrition and dietetics, or nutrition science. 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, 270, 330
Biology requirement: BIO 100
Mathematics requirement: MAT 232
Communications requirements: ENG 101 and 317, CMJ 103
Grades of C- or lower in FSN courses may not be applied towards the major.

Food Management Concentration

Satisfy the core requirements of the Department
Satisfy the bachelor of science requirements
Biochemistry and Microbiology requirements: BMB 207, 208, 209, 210
Food Science and Human Nutrition requirements: FSN 103, 202, 238, 340, 396, 436, 520, 585
Mathematics requirement: MAT 111
Business requirements: BUA 201, 325, 350, 370, elective
Economics requirements: ECO 120,121
Computer requirement: COS 102, 103 or 104

Food Science Concentration

Satisfy the core requirements of the Department
Satisfy the bachelor of science requirements
Biochemistry and Microbiology requirements: BMB 300, 305, 322, 323
Chemistry requirements: CHY 251, 252, 253, 254
Food Science and Human Nutrition requirements: FSN 103, 340, 436, 438, 450, 482, 483, 489, 502, 520, 585, 587
Mathematics requirements: MAT 126, 127 or 400 level statistics course
Physics requirement: PHY 111
Economics requirement: INT 110
Resource Economics and Policy requirement: REP 254
Computer requirement: COS 102, 103 or 104

Human Nutrition and Dietetics Concentration

Satisfy core requirements of the Department
Satisfy the bachelor of science requirements
Biology requirement: BIO 208
Biochemistry and Microbiology requirements: BMB 207, 208, 209, 210, 221, 222, 322, 323
Food Science and Human Nutrition requirements: FSN 103, 202, 230, 238, 301, 340, 401, 410, 412, 420, 430
Mathematics requirement: MAT 111
Business requirements: BUA 201, REP 254
Psychology requirement: PSY 100
Pathophysiology requirement: NUR 303
Computer requirement: COS 102, 103 or 104

Nutrition Science Concentration

Satisfy core requirements of the Department
Satisfy the bachelor of science requirements
Biology requirement: BIO 200
Biochemistry and Microbiology requirements: BMB 280, 300, 305, 322, 323
Chemistry requirements: CHY 121, 122, 123, 124, 251, 252, 253, 254
Food Science and Human Nutrition requirements: FSN 301, 401, 410, 412, 420, 430, 489
Mathematics requirement: MAT 126
Physics requirements: PHY 111, PHY 112
Psychology requirement: PSY 100
Pathophysiology requirement: NUR 303