Undergraduate

Nutrition

Here you'll choose from three dynamic specialization options Dietetics, Health and Wellness, or Nutritional Sciences. Learning advanced techniques in dietary research and health promotion.

2026

Degree

Bachelor of Science

Location

Durham, NH

Courses

Credit

128 hrs.*

Full-time

4 yrs.

Part-time

Varies

View course catalog

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Agriculture, Nutrition and Food Systems

The Nutrition Bachelor’s degree at UNH prepares you to explore how food and nutrition impact human health. You’ll choose from three specialization options—dietetics, health and wellness, or nutritional sciences—and build skills in dietary assessment, health promotion and research.

Through focused coursework and real-world experiences, the program equips you for careers in healthcare, community wellness, research or graduate and professional study.

*Number of courses and course credit hours may vary, please reach out to your academic advisor for exact requirements.

Agriculture, Nutrition, and Food Systems Department

Key Links

Tuition Costs

Contact Cards

Gretchen Arnold

Program Coordinator | Nutrition

Clinical Associate Professor

Gretchen.Arnold@unh.edu

Kendall Hall, Room 125, Durham, NH 03824

(603) 862-3083

What is nutrition?

Nutrition is the study of food and its relationship to human health. Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nutrition at UNH have three specialization options to choose from: dietetics, which is geared toward students interested in becoming registered dietitians; health and wellness, which prepares students for work in fields ranging from fitness to community health; and nutritional sciences, which prepares students for further study in areas such as medicine or physical therapy, or for technically oriented jobs in science.

Why study nutrition at UNH?

The nutrition program at UNH opens pathways to a wide range of careers while providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between food, metabolism, nutrients and our health. Our degree options provide opportunities for hands-on learning through a variety of internships and research. The UNH-in-Italy program allows students to experience the medieval city of Ascoli Piceno while studying English-language courses that explore the links between food culture, sustainable agriculture and the policies and issues impacting the food system.

Potential careers

Biotechnologist
Clinical dietitian
Dietary counselor
Educator
Food product development scientist
Hospital or care facility consultant
Nutrition writer
Public health nutritionist
Registered dietitian
Regulatory affairs specialist
Researcher
Sports dietitian
Wellness consultant

Curriculum & Requirements

Program Description

Nutrition is the study of food, the nutrients found in food, and the body’s metabolism of these nutrients to maintain and promote health. Nutrition is an interdisciplinary science based on biochemistry and physiology, but also integrates sociology, psychology, molecular biology, and genetics.

Students have three curriculum options within the major to pursue a bachelor's degree in nutrition. The option is declared within the nutrition major before the end of the second year in the program. Options include:

Dietetics option - is the first step to becoming a registered dietitian. The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) curriculum is accredited by The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). It prepares you for a master's degree and dietetic internship.
Health and Wellness option - provides a foundation in chemistry, anatomy, physiology and microbiology and includes courses on wellness and community health. Students gain real-world experience providing hands-on nutrition and health guidance.
Nutritional Sciences option - provides a comprehensive background in biology, chemistry, physiology, nutrition, biochemistry and physics, and includes courses on nutritional assessment, life cycle nutrition, nutrition and health, and careers in nutrition.

The program prepares students for success by offering real-world learning opportunities throughout the curriculum. These opportunities include applied research, field experiences, internships, community engagement, and study abroad offerings. Our diverse group of faculty are dedicated to student success in and outside of the classroom. Coursework supports diverse postgraduate pathways including allied health programs, medical and dental schools, and graduate school. The rigorous curriculum is designed to offer a science-based foundation and foster critical-thinking and strong communication skills for future professional success of our students.

Requirements for the Program

Degree Requirements

Minimum Credit Requirement: 128 credits

Minimum Residency Requirement: 32 credits must be taken at UNH

Minimum GPA: 2.0 required for conferral*

Core Curriculum Required: Discovery & Writing Program Requirements

Foreign Language Requirement: No

All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.

Major Requirements

Students take 16-18 credits per semester. All students complete foundational courses in the sciences, nutrition core courses, and additional option-specific requirements as noted in the program descriptions (i.e. Dietetics, Nutrition and Wellness, and Nutritional Sciences). Discovery Program requirements (including the Inquiry requirement in the first two years) and elective courses are taken as well.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
NUTR courses:
NUTR 400	Nutrition in Health and Well Being	4
NUTR 401	Professional Perspectives on Nutrition	1
NUTR 476	Nutritional Assessment	4
NUTR 650	Life Cycle Nutrition	4
Foundation courses:
BMS 507	Human Anatomy and Physiology I	4
BMS 508	Human Anatomy and Physiology II	4
SOC 400	Introductory Sociology	4
or PSYC 401	Introduction to Psychology
Statistics course (choose one):		4
BIOL 528	Applied Biostatistics I
HMP 540	Statistics for Health and Human Service Professionals
PSYC 402	Statistics in Psychology
SOC 402	Statistics

Student Learning Outcomes

Student Learning Outcomes are outlined within the Nutrition Major program options pages, see:

Nutrition: Dietetics Option (B.S.)
Nutrition: Health and Wellness Option (B.S.)
Nutrition: Nutritional Sciences Option (B.S.)

Explore Program Details

Nutrition Major Options

Nutrition Major: Dietetics Option

Nutrition Major: Health and Wellness Option

Nutrition Major: Nutritional Sciences Option

How to Apply

Initial Admission to the major as a First-year or Transfer Student

Students entering the University as first-year or transfer students may declare Nutrition as part of the UNH admission process. First-year and transfer students who are admitted directly into Nutrition will be assigned an academic faculty advisor who will work with you throughout your course of study.

Change of Major Requirements for Existing UNH Students

We welcome UNH students who wish to declare the Nutrition Major or change their major from other degree programs. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis; see below for entry requirements.

What Are the Steps to CHANGE My Major?

To facilitate a change of major into Nutrition, students should complete two steps*:

1) Submit an application requesting the transfer from another degree program. This online application is then reviewed by the program coordinator. Students are assigned an academic faculty advisor who will work with you throughout your course of study.

2) Request to change your major in Webcat. A tutorial for the process of changing a major is available.

ARE THERE REQUIREMENTS TO CHANGE MY MAJOR?

Current UNH students wishing to change their major and join the Nutrition Program must have:

Earned a minimum of 12 UNH credits
Completed OR be enrolled in NUTR 400 and NUTR 401

All students may transfer into one of the following:

Nutrition: No Option
Nutrition: Health & Wellness
Nutrition: Nutritional Sciences

Students interested in transferring into the Nutrition: Dietetics Option, must also meet the following 3 requirements:

Minimum GPA of 3.0
Minimum earned grade in introductory nutrition (e.g. NUTR 400) = B
Minimum earned grade in one semester of chemistry w/lab or anatomy/physiology with lab = C+

Declaring an Option

Students admitted to the Nutrition major at UNH are required to declare, and be formally admitted into, one of the following options:

Nutrition majors designate an option once they have successfully completed: 1) NUTR 400, 2) NUTR 401, & 3) BMS 507 or CHEM 403 (CHEM 411 for Wellness). The Fall and Spring semester deadlines are September 15^th and February 15^th, respectively.

Option Application for Current Nutrition Majors

College Health and Nutrition Assessment Survey (CHANAS)

CHANAS is a wonderful venue for those interested in undergraduate and graduate research projects. Each semester UNH students work as research assistants for the project and, in the process, gain valuable research and clinical skills.

CHANAS

Opportunities

Nutrition Departmental Honors

Nutrition Minor

Field Experience (NUTR 600)

UNH-in-Italy Study Abroad

Nutritional Sciences MS

Handbook and Program Review

Nutrition Program Review

Nutrition Program Student Handbook

Pre-Professional Health Advising

Advising is available for UNH students, alumni, and post baccalaureates pursuing health professional careers.

The Pre-Health Advising Office provides support throughout the process of preparing for health professions school from advising on the courses they should take to helping navigate through the complex steps of the application process.

Advising

Explore the Health Professions

Application Process

Prospective Students

Experiential Opportunities