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Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciences

Nutrition Concentration

Nutrition is a fast-growing discipline devoted to understanding the relationship between nutrients and human health. The nutrition concentration within the B.S. in Food Science and Human Nutrition degree program allows students to focus their program of study in one of four emphasis areas:  (1) Dietetics; (2) Basic and Behavioral Science; (3) Community Health and Wellness; or (4) Food Industry. For each emphasis area, the same course plan (PDF) is followed the first two years with the junior and senior years varying according to the emphasis area. 

Each emphasis consists of 17 credits of coursework selected in consultation with one’s academic advisor. Completion of 17 credits in an emphasis area is required for completion of the Nutrition Concentration. All Nutrition Concentration students regardless of emphasis area must complete 1 credit of professional development coursework, either NUTR 4180 Professional Development in Dietetics (dietetics emphasis only) or NUTR 4190 Professional Development in Nutrition. The remaining 16 credits in an emphasis area should be selected from the emphasis area course list (PDF). Additional courses may be applied to the emphasis area as approved by one’s academic advisor. Students are encouraged to choose their emphasis area by the beginning of Spring semester of the sophomore year to allow one to graduate in a timely manner.

  • Dietetics Emphasis

    The Dietetics emphasis prepares students for an ACEND®-accredited supervised practice (i.e., dietetic internship) program to become a Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). The curriculum for the Nutrition Concentration with a Dietetics emphasis is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND®) as a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), providing evidence-based training for nutrition and dietetics practice. 

    Dietetics Emphasis
  • Basic and Behavioral Science Emphasis

    The Basic and Behavioral Science emphasis is designed to provide students with pre-professional coursework in preparation for graduate training in nutrition science, biomedical sciences, medicine, and other healthcare-related fields. The curriculum provides a strong science and social science foundation to fulfill academic requirements for admission into graduate and professional healthcare programs.

    Pre-Professional Health Advising

    The Clemson Health Professions Advising website provides detailed information on curricular and extra-curricular requirements for admission into graduate programs in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physician assistance, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and veterinary medicine. Many of the course requirements for professional program acceptance are integrated within the Basic and Behavioral Science emphasis. Students interested in pursuing this emphasis in preparation for graduate training in medicine, dentistry, and allied health are encouraged to meet with the pre-professional health advisor, Harolynn Williams, in addition to their assigned academic adviser within the Department of Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciences. 

    Career  Opportunities

    Career opportunities for students who pursue the Basic and Behavioral Science emphasis area include research, education, and healthcare professions. With the completion of an advanced degree, students may pursue careers in medicine (MD, DO, PA), dentistry, physical therapy, occupational therapy, pharmacy, and speech therapy, to name a few. Other opportunities include working in pharmaceutical and biomedical sales, public relations and consumer affairs, and healthcare organizations.

    Basic and Behavioral Science Emphasis Requirements

    Students in the Basic and Behavioral Science emphasis must complete 17 credits in the emphasis area. One credit of professional development coursework (NUTR 4190 Professional Development in Nutrition) is required. The remaining 16 credits may be selected from the following list of courses. Refer to the Nutrition Concentration Emphasis Area Course List (PDF) for further details.

    • CH 2240/2280 Organic Chemistry and Lab – 4 credits

    • PHYS 2070/2090 Physics I and Lab – 4 credits

    • PHYS 2080/2010 Physics II and Lab – 4 credits

    • GEN 3000 Fundamental Genetics – 3 credits

    • STAT 3300 Statistical Methods II – 3 credits

    • PSYC 3830 Abnormal Psychology1 – 3 credits

    • PSYC 3400 Lifespan Developmental Psychology1 – 3 credits

    • AGRB (HLTH) 3610 Introduction to Health Care Economics – 3 credits

    • SOC 3600 Social Class and Poverty (preq SOC 2010 or 2020) – 3 credits

    • FDSC 4500 Creative Inquiry – 1 or 2 credits

    • HLTH 2020 Introduction to Public Health2 – 3 credits

    • HLTH 2030 Overview of Health Care Systems2 – 3 credits

    • HLTH 3800 Epidemiology2 (preq any 2000-level HLTH course) – 3 credits

    1CBBS course fee applies when taking this course.

    2Completion of all three courses is required to obtain an Undergraduate Public Health Certificate (online) through the Department of Public Health Sciences. For more information, visit the Public Health Certificate program website. A minimum average GPR 2.5 for the three courses and course completion with a grade of D or better is required.

  • Community Health and Wellness Emphasis

    The Community Health and Wellness emphasis is designed to provide students with coursework in preparation for careers working with generally healthy populations through non-profit, for-profit, and government community health and wellness programs. The curriculum provides a strong science and social science foundation for developing well-rounded professionals who are trained in evidence-based practice and are culturally competent.

    Career Opportunities

    Career opportunities for students who pursue the Community Health and Wellness emphasis include educating individuals, families and groups concerning nutrition practices intended to prevent disease and enhance health. Employment settings include community health programs, senior centers, home-delivered meal services (i.e., Meals on Wheels), cooperative extension, public health agencies, non-profit organizations, worksite wellness programs, health and fitness centers, government programs (i.e., Women, Infants, and Children [WIC], National School Lunch Program [NSLP], Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program [SNAP], Older Americans Programs, etc.), and international food and health organizations (i.e., Peace Corps, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, World Health Organization, etc.).

    Community Health and Wellness Emphasis Requirements

    Students in the Community Health and Wellness emphasis must complete 17 credits in the emphasis area. One credit of professional development coursework (NUTR 4190 Professional Development in Nutrition) is required. The remaining 16 credits may be selected from the following list of courses. Refer to the Nutrition Concentration Emphasis Area Course List (PDF) for further details.

    • PSYC 3450 Adulthood and Aging1 – 3 credits

    • PSYC 3400 Lifespan Developmental Psychology1 – 3 credits

    • PSYC 4800 Health Psychology1 – 3 credits

    • SOC 2010 Introduction to Sociology – 3 credits

    • SOC 2020 Social Problems – 3 credits

    • SOC 3600 Social Class and Poverty1 (preq SOC 2010 or 2020) – 3 credits

    • HLTH 2980 Human Health and Disease – 3 credits

    • HLTH 2020 Introduction to Public Health2 – 3 credits

    • HLTH 2030 Overview of Health Care Systems2 – 3 credits

    • HLTH 3800 Epidemiology2 (preq any 2000-level HLTH course) – 3 credits

    • MICR 4000 Public Health Microbiology – 3 credits

    • MICR 4160 Introduction to Virology – 3 credits

    • COMM 3210 Communication Across Media (preq COMM 2010) – 3 credits

    • BIOL 2030 Human Disease & Society – 3 credits

    • MKT 3010 Principles of Marketing1 – 3 credits

    • ELE 3010 Introduction to Entrepreneurship1 – 3 credits

    • FDSC 4500 Creative Inquiry – 1 or 2 credits

    1CBBS course fee applies when taking this course.

    2Completion of all three courses is required to obtain an Undergraduate Public Health Certificate (online) through the Department of Public Health Sciences. For more information, visit the Public Health Certificate program website. A minimum average GPR 2.5 for the three courses and course completion with a grade of D or better is required.

  • Food Industry Emphasis

    The Food Industry emphasis is designed for students who are interested in pairing nutrition and food science knowledge for job opportunities in foodservice management, food product development, and hospitality. The curriculum provides a strong science, nutrition, and food science foundation for developing well-rounded professionals prepared for today’s demands in business and industry.

    Career Opportunities

    Career opportunities for students who pursue the Food Industry emphasis include food service management, food product development, food manufacturing, food distribution, food marketing, food sales, public relations and consumer affairs. Employment settings include school nutrition and foodservice; healthcare facilities; food production, manufacturing, and distribution companies; and government agencies such as the USDA and FDA.

    Food Industry Emphasis Requirements

    Students in the Food Industry emphasis must complete 17 credits in the emphasis area. One credit of professional development coursework (NUTR 4190 Professional Development in Nutrition) is required. The remaining 16 credits may be selected from the following list of courses. Refer to the Nutrition Concentration Emphasis Area Course List (PDF) for further details.

    • FDSC 4010 Food Chemistry I (preq BCHM 3050) – 3 credits

    • FDSC 4020 Food Chemistry II (preq FDSC 4010) – 3 credits

    • FDSC 4030 Food Chemistry & Analysis (preq FDSC 4010) – 2 credits

    • FDSC 3070 Restaurant Food Service Management – 3 credits

    • NUTR 4070/4071 Quantity Food Production and Lab – 3 credits

    • FDSC 4090 TQM Food & Package Industries (preq STAT 2300) – 3 credits

    • FDSC 4100 Food Product Development (preq FDSC 4030) – 4 credits

    • FDSC 4500 Creative Inquiry – 1 or 2 credits
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