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 higher in all required FSN courses.
Other GPA requirements to graduate: None.
Required Course(s) for fulfilling Capstone Experience: FSN 401 or FSN 520.
Contact Information: Mona Therrien, Undergraduate Program Coordinator, 5735 Hitchner Hall, (207)-581-3130, mona.therrien@maine.edu
The School of Food and Agriculture offers the Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science and Human Nutrition. The mission of the program 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). Students in Food Science with a grade point average of 3.0 or above may apply for the Food Science Five-Year Combined BS/MS degree program in their junior year. For this five-year program, nine credits of graduate courses are taken as part of the undergraduate degree (first four years), and the remainder of graduate courses can be completed in one additional year. A sample curriculum is outlined below. More information about this option can be found in the Graduate Catalog.
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 Nutrition and Dietetics) at the University of Maine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and is the only accredited program in the state of Maine. After graduation, students are eligible to apply for an Internship Program in Nutrition and Dietetics, 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, additional courses in physics and chemistry are 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 School and College and through professional organizations such as the Maine Nutrition Council, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 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 courses needed for the three concentrations in Food Science and Human Nutrition are given below. Students interested in these programs can contact the Undergraduate Coordinator. 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, and 330
- NFA 117 - Issues and Opportunities
- Biology requirement: BIO 100
- Communications requirements: ENG 101, 317, and 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 degree program
- Satisfy the bachelor of science requirements
- Chemistry requirements: BMB 207, 208, 209 and 210
- Food Science and Human Nutrition requirements: FSN 202, 238, 305, 340, 396, 425, 436, 440, 512, and 520
- Mathematics requirement: MAT 115 and STS 232
- Business requirements: BUA 201, 235, 325, 337, and ECO 254
- Economics requirements: ECO 120 and 121
- Other requirements: COS 103, INV 121, and PSE 105
Food Science Concentration
- Satisfy the core requirements of the degree program
- Satisfy the bachelor of science requirements
- Biology requirements: BIO 200 or BIO 208
- Biochemistry and Microbiology Requirements: BMB 300, 305, 322, and 323
- Chemistry requirements: CHY 121, 122, 123, 124, BMB 221 and 222 or CHY 251 and 253
- Food Science and Human Nutrition requirements: FSN 340, 396, 425, 436, 438, 439, 450, 482, 483, 485, 486, 502, 520, 585, and 587
- Mathematics requirement: MAT 126 and STS 232
- Physics requirement: PHY 111
Human Nutrition and Dietetics Concentration
- Satisfy core requirements of the degree program
- Satisfy the bachelor of science requirements
- Biology requirement: BIO 208
- Chemistry requirements: BMB 207, 208, 209, 221, 222, and 322
- Food Science and Human Nutrition requirements: FSN 202, 230, 238, 265, 301, 305, 401, 410, 412, 420, and 430
- Mathematics requirement: MAT 122 or 126 and STS 232 or PSY 241
- Business requirements: ECO 120 and ECO 254
- Pathophysiology requirement: NUR 303
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