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: Students in the Human Nutrition and Dietetics concentration must have a C or higher in all required FSN courses. Students in the Food Management and Food Science concentrations 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.
Graduate Courses: 500-600 level course descriptions can be found in the University of Maine Graduate Catalog
Contact Information: Eileen Molloy, Undergraduate Program Coordinator, 111 Hitchner Hall, (207) 581-3121, eileen.molloy@maine.edu
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. Each concentration can lead to a variety of careers within the broad field of food science and human nutrition.
Food Science Concentration
The Food Science concentration is the application of the principles of the basic sciences including chemistry, biology, and biochemistry to food systems. This approved program through the Institute of Food Technologists is a challenging and rewarding program and requires a strong background in mathematics and science. 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 and more information about this option can be found in the Graduate Catalog.
Human Nutrition and Dietetics Concentration
The Human Nutrition and Dietetics concentration focuses on the study of the effect of food, food behavior and nutrients on people’s health, and the role of diet in prevention or treatment of chronic diseases. It is a diverse, rewarding and growing field that requires a strong background in science. This concentration is an accredited Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics (DPD) by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) and is the only accredited program in the state of Maine. Students in this concentration are eligible for continuing education and internship to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. Or, they can pursue careers in wellness nutrition, health or research.
Food Management Concentration
Food management provides a unique combination of food and business courses to prepare students for a wide variety of career opportunities in management of food and food resources. This concentration provides flexibility in planning a curriculum to suit an individual’s needs. Students are encouraged to add a minor in either Business Administration or Sustainable Food Systems and choose professional electives that best prepare them for future employment.
Foundation for higher education
The requirements in Food Science and Human Nutrition will be sufficient for admission to the graduate schools in each program and the combined MS/Dietetic Internship program. The Food Science, and Human Nutrition and Dietetics concentrations, can easily meet the entrance requirements for medical, dental, and veterinary schools with advising on some additional courses. 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 needed. Students in the Food Management concentration would be prepared for graduate school in business if they take the appropriate business courses at the undergraduate level.
Transfer criteria
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. Contact the Undergraduate Program Coordinator to meet to discuss your interest in these programs.
Graduation Requirements
To obtain this degree students must meet the requirements of the University, those requirements specific to the major and the requirements for the concentration.
Food Science and Human Nutrition Major
- Satisfy general education requirements
- Satisfy bachelor of science requirements
- NFA 117 - Issues and Opportunities
- Biology requirement: BIO 100
- Minimum Food Science and Human Nutrition requirements: FSN 101, 103, 104, 270, and 330
- Communications requirements: ENG 101 and CMJ 103
- Psychology requirement: PSY 100
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
- Communications requirements: ENG 317
- Food Science and Human Nutrition requirements: FSN 101, 103, 104, 202, 238, 265, 270, 305, 330, 340, 396, 425, 436, 440, 512, and 520
- Mathematics requirement: MAT 115 and STS 232
- Business requirements: ACC 201, BIS 235, and MGT 325
- Economics requirements: ECO 120, 121, and 254
- Other requirements: COS 103, INV 121, and PSE 105
- Students will be encouraged to declare a minor in either Business Administration or in Sustainable Food Systems.
- Grades of C- or higher in all FSN required courses and courses substituting for FSN required courses.
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
- Communications requirement: ENG 317
- Food Science and Human Nutrition requirements: FSN 101, 103, 104, 270, 330, 340, 396, 425, 436, 438, 439, 450, 475, 482, 483, 485, 486, 502, 520, 585, and 587
- Mathematics requirement: MAT 126 and STS 232
- Physics requirement: PHY 111 or PHY 121
- Grades of C- or higher in all FSN required courses and courses substituting for FSN required courses.
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
- Communications requirement: ENG 201
- Food Science and Human Nutrition requirements: FSN 101, 103, 104, 202, 230, 238, 265, 270, 290, 301, 305, 330, 401, 410, 412, 420, and 430
- Mathematics requirement: MAT 116 (MAT 122 or 126 also accepted)
- Statistics requirement: PSY 241 or STS 232
- Economics requirements: ECO 254
- Pathophysiology requirement: NUR 303
- Grades of C or higher in all FSN required courses and courses substituting for FSN required courses.
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