Program: Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Science, B.S.
Nutrition and Dietetics Option
Program Description
The Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Science program focuses on the biological, chemical and physical components of food and the ways in which these ingredients affect health. The Nutrition and Dietetics option focuses on the application of physical, biological and social sciences to the study of foods and nutrition, educating students in the knowledge of food and nutrition as related to health issues, and it prepares graduates in the field of nutritional science for careers as registered dietitians and nutritionists.
Admission into programs leading to licensure and credentialing does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or credential. Licensure and credentialing requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the CSU, and requirements can change at any time. For example, licensure or credentialing requirements can include evidence of the right to work in the United States (e.g., Social Security number or taxpayer identification number) or successfully passing a criminal background check. Students are responsible for determining whether they can meet licensure or credentialing requirements. The CSU will not refund tuition, fees, or any associated costs to students who determine subsequent to admission that they cannot meet licensure or credentialing requirements. Information concerning licensure and credentialing requirements is available from the respective department or program. See Notice to Students: Licensure and Certification for more information.
Program Requirements
1. Required Core Courses (51-62 units)
BIOL 101 and BIOL 101L General Biology and Lab (3/1)
or BIOL 106 and BIOL 106L Biological Principles I and Lab (3/1)
and BIOL 107 and BIOL 107L Biological Principles II and Lab (3/1)
BIOL 215/L Introductory Microbiology and Lab (2/2)
BIOL 281 Human Physiology (3)
CHEM 103 and CHEM 103L Introductory Chemistry I and Lab (3/1)
or CHEM 101 and CHEM 101L and CHEM 101D General Chemistry I and Lab and Discussion (3/1/1)
CHEM 104 and CHEM 104L Introductory Chemistry II and Lab (3/1)
or CHEM 102 and CHEM 102L and CHEM 102D General Chemistry II and Lab and Discussion (3/1/1)
CHEM 235/L Introductory Organic Chemistry and Lab (3/1)
or CHEM 333/L and CHEM 333D Organic Chemistry I and Lab and Discussion (3/1/1)
and CHEM 334/L Organic Chemistry II and Lab (3/1)
FCS 201/L Introductory Food Science and Lab (2/1)
FCS 207 Nutrition for Life (3)
or HSCI 337 Nutrition and Health (3)
FCS 301 Food Science and Technology (3)
FCS 307 Advanced Nutrition: Macronutrients (3)
FCS 321/L Contemporary Issues in Foods and Nutrition and Lab (2/1)
FCS 380 Family and Consumer Sciences Foundations and Research (3)
FCS 404/L Food Service System Management and Lab (2/1)
FCS 494 Academic Internship (2)
2. Nutrition and Dietetics Option Courses (39-40 units)
CHEM 365 and CHEM 365L Introduction to Biochemistry and Lab (3/1)
or CHEM 464 and CHEM 464L Principles of Biochemistry and Laboratory (3/1)
FCS 304 Food Service Production (2)
FCS 308 Advanced Nutrition Micronutrients (3)
FCS 402 Medical Nutrition Therapy I (3)
FCS 403 Medical Nutrition Therapy II (3)
FCS 405 Drug Nutrient Interactions (3)
FCS 408 Community Nutrition (3)
POLS 155 American Political Institutions (3)
or POLS 403 State and Local Government (3)
PSY 150 Introduction to Psychology (3)
SOC 150 Introductory Sociology (3)
or ANTH 150 The Human Adventure: Introduction to Anthropology (3)
GE Area 1A: English Composition (Written Communication) Course (3)
Elective (3-4 units)
FCS 309 Maternal, Infant and Child Nutrition (3)
FCS 481 Sports Nutrition (3)
HSCI 390/L Biostatistics and Lab (3/1)
HSCI 434 Lactation Education: Prenatal and Perinatal Period (3)
HSCI 446 Lactation Education: Postpartum Period (3)
3. General Education (43 units)
Undergraduate students must complete 43 units of General Education as described in this Catalog, including 3 units of coursework meeting the Ethnic Studies (E.S.) requirement.
22 units are satisfied by coursework in the major: Area 1A English Composition (Written Communication); Area 1C Oral Communication; MATH 140 satisfies Area 2 Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning; PSY 150 and ANTH 150 or SOC 150 satisfies Area 4 Social and Behavioral Sciences; CHEM 101 or CHEM 103 satisfies Area 5A Physical Science; BIOL 101 or BIOL 106 satisfies Area 5B Biological Science; and BIOL 101L or BIOL 106L satisfies Area 5C Science Laboratory Activity.
If taken, POLS 155 satisfies Area 4A/B Constitution of the United States/State and Local Government, or POLS 403 satisfies Area 4B California State and Local Government; HSCI 337 satisfies Area 5 Physical and Biological Sciences, Upper Division. In addition, FCS 207 fulfills the Information Competence requirement.
4. Campus Requirements (6 units)
Undergraduate students must complete 6 units of Campus Requirements as described in this Catalog. FCS 207 or HSCI 337 meets the Lifelong Learning requirement.
Total Units in the Major/Option: 90-102
General Education Units: 21
Campus Requirement Units: 3
Additional Units: 0-6
Total Units Required for the B.S. Degree: 120-126
Contact
Department of Family and Consumer Sciences
Chair: Yi Cai
Sequoia Hall (SQ) 141
(818) 677-3051
Program Learning Outcomes
Students receiving a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Science will be able to:
- Demonstrate proficiency in locating, interpreting, evaluating and citing scientific literature to solve problems and make ethical, evidence-based, practice decisions.
- Communicate effectively in their field of study using written, oral, visual and/or electronic forms.
- Apply a critical understanding of theoretical and scientific knowledge from subdisciplines in nutrition and food science to current and future issues of health and well-being for individuals, families and global communities.
- Describe sociocultural competence relative to diversity, equity and/or inclusion.
Degree Road Maps
Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Science/Nutrition and Dietetics Option (2025-Present)
Transfer Road Maps
Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Science/Nutrition and Dietetics Option (2023-Present)
ADT/STAR Act Degree Road Maps
Students who have graduated with a verified Associate Degree for Transfer and have been admitted to a CSUN program that has been deemed similar will be able to complete the baccalaureate degree within 60 semester units. For additional information, see ADT/STAR Act Degree Road Maps.