Nutritional Sciences
What is nutritional sciences?
Why nutritional sciences at OSU?
Career Paths
Nutritional sciences majors have roles in medical, dental, health care, community wellness, public health and management sectors. Job opportunities may include:
- Physician
- Dentist
- Physical or occupational therapist
- Physician assistant
- Chiropractor
- Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
- Pharmacist
- Nurse
- Community health worker
- School nutrition director
- Food policy and regulation specialist
- Food assistance program coordinator
Highlights
Human Nutrition/Pre-Medical Science
Develop a strong foundation in health, wellness and disease prevention and fulfill the prerequisites for medical or dental school. In addition to developing a deeper understanding of the role of nutrition in the pathophysiology of chronic disease, graduates are equipped with skills needed to empower individuals to make lifestyle changes that support long-term health. For those pursuing dental school, curriculum will help you better understand the role nutrition plays in bone development and overall dental health. Curriculum includes rigorous science classes, such as biochemistry, physiology, biology and anatomy. We also offer a 3+1 Program with the College of Osteopathic Medicine at the OSU Center for Health Sciences .
Allied Health
Develop an in-depth knowledge of the relationship between human health and nutrition, while completing professional and graduate school pre-requisites for healthcare fields, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant, pharmacy and more. As highly valued health professionals and members of the healthcare community, our graduates are well prepared to assist in directing the delivery of health-related services, optimizing patient outcomes and ensuring that the most up-to-date science and treatments are used. Curriculum has a strong science focus, including biochemistry, physiology, biology and anatomy as well as social sciences.
Dietetics
Take the first step to becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). Dietitians are food and nutrition experts who apply up-to-date scientific research, culinary and counseling skills and management principles to practice nutrition counseling, community education and medical nutrition therapy. Dietetics students develop the knowledge and skills to manage health outcomes through improved nutrition and translate nutrition science into guidelines to promote healthy living. After graduating from your undergraduate dietetics program, you will complete a 1000-hour (temporary COVID requirement, normally 1200-hour) Dietetic Internship and a master's degree (required beginning in 2024) prior to taking the registration exam to become an RDN. This major option is nationally accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Public Health Nutrition
Study the social determinants of human health through a nutrition framework while gaining a better understanding of the relationship between nutrition, the environment, behavior and human health. Prepare to deliver nutrition education, programs and information as a federal food assistance program coordinator, food policy and regulation specialist, health and wellness program manager, community health worker and more. Curriculum balances a science and human focus through courses such as chemistry, physiology, biology, anatomy, sociology, psychology, patient assessment and nutrition counseling, public health and community nutrition. This option also prepares you for admission to the OSU Master of Public Health graduate program.