The Department

The Department offers the major at the undergraduate level as well as additional courses for non-majors.  It also supervises federally funded statewide nutrition education programs.  Variable credit independent study opportunities including seminars, special problems, senior honors, research experience and field-work are offered each semester, by individual arrangement with faculty.

There are three tracks in the nutrition major at the University of Massachusetts Amherst that prepare students for different careers within the broad field of nutrition. Students must complete all coursework within a selected track to fulfill the requirements to earn a B.S. in Nutrition.

The Major

Nutrition majors choose to follow one of three tracks: Dietetics, Nutrition and Health Sciences, Nutrition in a Global Society.  For all three tracks, students complete a core of science courses which includes three semesters of chemistry, one semester biology, two semesters anatomy and physiology, one semester biochemistry and one semester microbiology.  All students also complete a core of nutrition courses that provide an understanding of foods and their nutritional content, physiological and biochemical aspects of nutrients in the body, nutrient requirements throughout the lifespan, food selection and preparation, the effects of excessive or inadequate intake of nutrients, and important issues of health and nutrition in the U.S. 

The Dietetics track is accredited by the Accreditation Council of Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.  This track fulfills the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) requirements, which allows students to enter a supervised practice program, known as a Dietetic Internship, and become a Registered Dietitian (R.D.).  After graduation, prospective R.D.’s must participate in a Dietetic Internship approved or accredited by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, then sit for the R.D. exam.  R.D.’s are registered and licensed health care professionals.   

In addition to the coursework listed above, students on the Dietetics track complete food service management courses, a community nutrition course, and a series of courses that provide a knowledge base in medical nutrition therapy.  Students who want to follow the Dietetics track begin as nutrition majors with an undeclared track.  In order to be admitted into the Dietetics track, they must earn at least a B in Nutrition 230: Basic Nutrition and have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. 

The Nutrition and Health Sciences track prepares students to pursue careers or graduate training in nutrition science, medicine, physician assistant programs, pharmacy, dentistry, and other health science-related careers.  In addition to the core nutrition and science courses common to all nutrition majors, students on this track take more science and laboratory courses.  The course work for this track satisfies most pre-med, pre-dental and pre-PA requirements.  Students who are interested in medical school, dental school, or other advanced medical education should consult with the Pre-Med/Pre-Health advising program about additional requirements and recommendations.   

The Nutrition in a Global Society track is the most flexible track and is designed for students who have an interest in the international nutrition field, general fitness and wellness, and for students interested in double majoring in nutrition and a different major.  This track prepares students to pursue careers or graduate training in nutrition, public health, social work, education and other applied professional careers.  In addition to the core nutrition and science courses, students on this track take courses on community nutrition and global nutrition issues.  They also choose three courses from a list of approved elective course options, guided by their particular interests.  These include courses in public health, kinesiology, sociology, food science, sustainable agriculture, resource economics, anthropology, and hospitality and tourism management.