Nutrition Science

Degree Requirements

Major: Nutrition Science

Degree Type: B.S.
Minimum Degree Credits to Graduate: 120

University Degree Requirements

  1. Satisfactory completion of all requirements of the curriculum in which one is enrolled.
  2. Earn a minimum total of 120 credits in approved coursework.  Some academic programs exceed this minimum.
  3. Satisfactory completion of the general education requirements as specified by the university.
  4. A minimum institutional GPA of 2.00 based on work taken at NDSU.
  5. At least 30 credits must be NDSU resident credits.  Resident credits include credits registered and paid for at NDSU.
  6. At least 36 credits presented for graduation must be in courses numbered 300 or higher.
  7. Students presenting transfer credit must meet the NDSU residence credits and the minimum upper level credit. Of the 30 credits earned in residence, a minimum of 15 semester credits must be in courses numbered 300 or above, and 15 semester credits must be in the student’s curricula for their declared major.

For complete information, please refer to the Degree and Graduation Requirements section of this Bulletin.

University General Education Requirements

A list of university approved general education courses and administrative policies are available here.

Category C: Communication12
ENGL 110
College Composition I
ENGL 120
College Composition II
COMM 110
Fundamentals of Public Speaking
Upper Division Writing †
Category R: Quantitative Reasoning †3
Category S: Science and Technology †10
Category A: Humanities and Fine Arts †6
Category B: Social and Behavioral Sciences †6
Category W: Wellness †2
Category D: Cultural Diversity *†
Category G: Global Perspectives *†
Total Credits39
*

Courses for category D & G are satisfied by completing D & G designated courses in another general education category.

†

General education courses may be used to satisfy requirements for both general education and the major, minor, and program emphases, where applicable. Students should carefully review major requirements to determine if specific courses can also satisfy these general education categories.

Major Requirements

Nutrition Science Core Requirements
BIOC 260Elements of Biochemistry4
BIOL 220
& 220L		Human Anatomy and Physiology I
and Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory		4
BIOL 221
& 221L		Human Anatomy and Physiology II
and Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory		4
CHEM 117Chemical Concepts and Applications3
CSCI 114Computer Applications3
HNES 250Nutrition Science3
HNES 251Nutrition, Growth and Development3
HNES 260Athletic Training Medical Terminology1
HNES 261
& 261L		Food Selection and Preparation Principles
and Food Selection and Preparation Principles Laboratory		5
HNES 291Seminar Introduction to Nutrition Science Careers1
HNES 351Metabolic Basis of Nutrition4
HNES 354Introduction to Medical Nutrition Therapy4
HNES 499Special Topics (Interprofessional Health Care Practice) 11
MICR 202
& 202L		Introductory Microbiology
and Introductory Microbiology Lab		3
PSYC 111Introduction to Psychology3
PSYC 211Introduction To Behavior Modification3
STAT 330Introductory Statistics3
Select Standard or Coordinated Program Option
To complete the major, students must complete either the Standard Option or the Coordinated Program Option. Requirements are outlined below.16-35
Total Credits68-87
1

Interprofessional Health Care Practice course currently taught as HNES 499; a permanent number will be chosen for 2025-2026 academic year.

Standard Option

Minor Program of Study
Students in the standard option must declare and complete a minor program of study. Minors must be declared with the assistance of an academic advisor. Minor forms must be officially submitted to the Office of Registration and Records.16

Coordinated Program Option

Coordinated Program Option in Nutrition Science (B.S. to M.S. or M.P.H. accelerated option)
HNES 354LIntroduction to Medical Nutrition Therapy Laboratory2
HNES 361Foodservice Systems Management I3
HNES 361LFoodservice Systems Management I Laboratory3
HNES 442Community Health and Nutrition Education3
HNES 658Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy4
HNES 458LAdvanced Medical Nutrition Therapy Laboratory3
HNES 480Dietetics Practicum (Capstone Experience)12
HNES 668Foodservice Systems Management II1
HNES 468L1
MGMT 320Foundations of Management3
Total Credits35

The following program notes apply to students admitted into the coordinated program and plan to complete the accelerated option.

  • Students planning to engage in an accelerated program must complete the Coordinated Program subplan.  Students who elect to complete the standard Nutrition Science program are not eligible for an accelerated program.
  • A grade of ‘C’ or better is required for transfer courses in nutrition science.
  • A grade of 'C' or better is required in all HNES prefix courses. 
  • Minimum GPA requirements must be met for acceptance into the program (3.0 overall and 2.75 in sciences including BIOC 260, BIOL 220/L, BIOL 221/L, CHEM 117, HNES 250, and MICR 202/L).
  • A grade of 'C' or better is required for all required science courses (BIOC 260, BIOL 220/L, BIOL 221/L, CHEM 117, MICR 202/L).
  • A grade of 'B' or better is required for HNES 250 - Nutrition Science.
  • Students interested in this option should speak with the Undergraduate Advisor for Nutrition Science in the College of Health and Human Sciences Academic Advising Center located in EML 270.
  • Students intending to pursue the Accelerated option must maintain a 3.0 overall GPA.
  • Students will also be required to complete a Combined/Accelerated Degree Program Declaration Form during the summer or fall after semester 4 and then apply to the Graduate School during semester 5.
  • GRE is not required.