OVERVIEW OF DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Minimum number of credits required to graduate: 120
Minimum Cumulative GPA required to graduate: 2.0
Minimum Grade requirements for courses to count toward major: Food Science and Human Nutrition majors must have a “C” or better in all required FSN courses taken.
Other GPA requirements to graduate: None.
Contact Information: Susan Sullivan, Undergraduate Program Coordinator, 5735 Hitchner Hall, (207)-581-3130, susan.sullivan@umit.maine.edu
The mission of the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition is to provide undergraduate education in three concentrations: food science, human nutrition and dietetics, 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 $35,000 to $50,000 with an undergraduate degree (BS).
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.
Food Science and Human Nutrition and Dietetics 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 Human Nutrition and Dietetics students, additional courses in physics, chemistry and mathematics are required.
In all concentrations, students can apply for competitive scholarships within the Department, and College and through professional organizations such as the Maine Nutrition Council, American Dietetic Association, 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 assist students in getting 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 degrees 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. Students who wish to transfer into the undergraduate program in Food Science and Human Nutrition from other programs or institutions must have a 2.0 grade point average or above. Those wishing to transfer into the concentration in Human Nutrition and Dietetics must have a grade point average of 2.5 or above.
Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Human Nutrition with three concentrations -
Food Science, Food Management, or Human Nutrition and Dietetics.
A Bachelor of Science degree in these concentrations prepares students for professional work in either food science, food management, or human nutrition and dietetics. 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
- NFA 117 - Issues and Opportunities
- Biology requirement: BIO 100
- Mathematics requirement: MAT 232
- Business requirement: ECO 254
- Communications requirements: ENG 101 and 317, CMJ 103
- Psychology requirement: PSY 100
- 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
- Chemistry requirements: BMB 207, 208, 209, 210
- Food Science and Human Nutrition requirements: FSN 202, 238, 396, 425, 436, 440, 512, 520, 585
- Mathematics requirement: MAT 103
- Business requirements: BUA 135, 201, 325
- Economics requirements: ECO 120,121
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 121, 122, 123, 124, 251, 253
- Food Science and Human Nutrition requirements: FSN 396, 425, 436, 438, 450, 482, 483, 485, 502, 520, 585, 587
- Mathematics requirements: MAT 126, 437
- Physics requirement: PHY 111
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, 221, 222, 322, 323
- Food Science and Human Nutrition requirements: FSN 202, 230, 238, 301, 401, 410, 412, 420, 430
- Mathematics requirement: Gen Ed Math (MAT 103, 115, 122, or 126)
- Business requirements: BUA 201
- Pathophysiology requirement: NUR 303
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