What Can I Expect From Getting a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition?

From concerns about obesity to the glut of specialized diets with all their health claims, diet and nutrition has never been so topical. A Bachelor of Science in Nutrition will set you on the road to joining one of the most exciting and forward-looking of al the health sciences. These programs of study are sometimes called Nutritional Science – as you can probably imagine, there is quite a bit of science behind good nutrition.

A nutrition degree will usually offer you two routes to go down, depending on your career aspirations – dietetics or food service management. Don’t worry if you don’t know your plans yet, though, as most undergraduate degree programs in this field start with a generic year which introduces you to the basics of nutrition, diet and health studies, from which you have a firm foundation from which to specialize.

In order to become a registered dietitian you will usually have to do an internship or work placement, lasting between seven and twelve months, where you will shadow an already registered dietitian and gain experience and knowledge of working with clients or a variety of different issues relating to food, diet and fitness, which will involve you doing more continuing education courses in the areas you find particularly interesting.

Once you qualify as a registered dietitian yourself, you can further specialize in a specific area, e.g. paediatrics, obesity and weight management, coronary care, etc. – after which, there are literally hundreds of jobs for you to choose from.

If you chose to take an undergraduate course with a focus more on food management that dietetics, you will combines studies of business, science and art to create a unique area of study. You are then eligible for a world of job opportunities in food and drink management in theme parks, hotels, cruise liners, resorts etc – as well as the possibilities that such a degree programme offers you in food design, supply and sales. You’ll never be out of a job – people will always need to eat!

All students taking a Bachelor of Science in nutrition will benefit from the generic units which usually cover the relationship between food and health, as well as to athletic performance, and the influence of economics on the food that we eat. You will also learn how diet can be a contributory factor to such diseases as coronary heart disease and diabetes amongst others, and techniques for counseling people about their diet.

So, from solving problems related to diet and advising people on what to eat and drink, to designing and manufacturing new foods, and all manner of jobs in between, a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition offers you a wealth of opportunities for a great career in feeding the world and keeping them healthy – are you ready for the challenge?