The Major

Nutrition majors at UMass Amherst choose to follow one of three tracks: Dietetics, Nutrition and Health Sciences (pre-health), Nutrition and Society. They are required to declare their track before their junior year. For all three tracks, students complete a core of science courses, which includes two or 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 (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. This track is also referred to as the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) because it satisfies the curriculum required to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). Fulfillment of these requirements allows students to enter a required accredited supervised practice program, known as a dietetic internship, and earn the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential. Prospective RDNs are required to earn a master's degree in order to take the R.D. exam, as of 2024. The UMass Amherst Nutrition Department has an accelerated master's in nutrition (4+1) program which nutrition majors can apply to their senior year, allowing them to complete their master's degree in a fifth year, before continuing on to a dietetic internship. In addition to the coursework listed above, students on the dietetics track complete medical nutrition therapy, nutrition counseling, community nutrition and food service management courses. Learn more about the dietetics track here.

Completion of the dietetics track also satisfies curriculum requirements for licensure as a nutritionist in the state of Massachusetts.

The Nutrition and Health Sciences track prepares students to pursue careers as doctors, dentists, physician assistants, pharmacists and other medical-related occupations, as well as in biomedical and nutrition science research. In addition to the core nutrition and science courses common to all nutrition majors, students on this track take additional science and laboratory courses. Students following this track easily satisfy pre-med, pre-dental and pre-PA requirements. Learn more about the nutrition and health sciences track here.

The Nutrition and Society track is the most flexible track and is designed for students who have an interest in community health, general fitness and wellness, or nutrition and health policy. This track also prepares students well for entering a post-baccalaureate nursing program or secondary school science education program or for careers and graduate training in public health, social work and similar applied professions. It pairs seamlessly with a second major or a minor, making it easy to customize your degree. Many students combine this track with psychology and go on to rewarding careers supporting individuals with eating disorders or working at the intersection of nutrition, behavior, and health. In addition to the core nutrition and science courses, students on this track take a course in community nutrition. They also choose two required elective courses guided by their particular career goals. These can include courses in public health, kinesiology, sociology, food science, sustainable agriculture, resource economics, anthropology, and hospitality and tourism management. Learn more about the nutrition and society track here.

Core Required Science/Social Science Courses

CHEM 111 General Chemistry I [PS]
CHEM 112 General Chemistry II (not required for Nutrition and Society track)
CHEM 261 Organic Chemistry I (Or CHEM 250 Organic Chemistry)
BIOCHEM 320 Elementary Biochemistry
BIOLOGY 151 Intro. Biology [BS]
MICROBIO 310 + MICRO LAB 265
KIN 270 Anatomy & Physiology I*
KIN 272 Anatomy & Physiology II
PSYCH 100 Intro. Psychology [SB]
STATS 111 Elementary Statistics [R1, R2] OR 200-level Stats course
SPHHS 150 Great Challenges in Public Health and Health Sciences [SB/DU]

Courses in parenthesis are alternative choices.
*KIN 270 is not required for the Dietetics track, but it is a prerequisite for KIN 272

Core Required Nutrition Courses

NUTRITN 130 Nutrition for a Healthy Lifestyle [BS]
NUTRITN 201 Introduction to the Professions of Nutrition
NUTRITN 210 Scientific Principles of Food Preparation
NUTRITN 230 Fundamentals of Nutrition Science
NUTRITN 352 Nutrition in the Life Cycle
NUTRITN 372 Writing in Nutrition
NUTRITN 577 Nutritional Problems in the U.S. [IE]

Additional Courses Required for Dietetics Track

NUTRITN 430 Nutrition and Metabolism
NUTRITN 480 Introduction to Dietetics and the Nutrition Care Process
NUTRITN 572 Community Nutrition
NUTRITN 580 Medical Nutrition Therapy I
NUTRITN 589 Medical Nutrition Therapy II
NUTRITN 585 Practical Skills in Nutrition Counseling

MANAGMNT 301 Principles of Management
MANAGMNT 314 Human Resource Management (Or HT-MGT 260 Hospitality Personnel Management)
HT-MGT 250 Food Service Management

Additional Courses Required for Nutrition & Health Sciences (Pre-health) Track

CHEM 262 Organic Chemistry II
CHEM 296 Organic Chemistry Lab
BIOCHEM 321 Elementary Biochemistry Lab
NUTRITN 430 Nutrition and Metabolism

Additional Courses Required for Nutrition & Society Track

NUTRITN 572 Community Nutrition
Two required electives based on career goals