{"id":16272,"date":"2010-08-19T10:08:58","date_gmt":"2010-08-19T14:08:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/?page_id=16272"},"modified":"2026-04-23T10:55:38","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T14:55:38","slug":"bs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/sar\/programs\/nutrition-dietetics\/bs\/","title":{"rendered":"BS in Nutrition"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"sidebar\">\n<h3>Contact<\/h3>\n<p>For contact information, please visit the Bachelor of Science in Nutrition page on the Sargent College <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sargent\/academics\/departments-programs\/health-sciences\/bachelor-of-science-in-nutrition\/\">website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>The nutrition program has three curricular tracks, each built on a broad foundation of physical, biological, and nutritional sciences. During the first two years of the program, students complete core science courses and begin fulfilling BU Hub requirements\u2014BU&#8217;s general education program designed to cultivate interdisciplinary knowledge and skills.<\/p>\n<p>The <strong>N<\/strong><strong>utrition Science track<\/strong> is a pre-health pathway designed to prepare students for medical, dental, veterinary, and other health professional programs. Upon graduation, students are also well-positioned to continue their education in the life sciences or to enter the workforce in areas such as nutrition research and biomedical science.<\/p>\n<p>The <strong>Nutrition and Health track<\/strong> combines public health nutrition coursework with a concentration area such as global health, communications, psychology, hospitality administration, or exercising populations. Students may propose a unique concentration in consultation with their faculty advisor.<\/p>\n<p>The <strong>D<\/strong><strong>ietetics track<\/strong> is for students interested in becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). The dietetics track is a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Students who successfully complete an ACEND-accredited DPD, a master\u2019s degree, and an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program are eligible to sit for the Commission on Dietetic Registration national credentialing examination to become an RDN. In many states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. For more information, please visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eatrightpro.org\/acend\">ACEND website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Mission Statement<\/h2>\n<p>The mission of the Boston University Programs in Nutrition is to cultivate an environment that fosters the knowledge, skills, and abilities to serve diverse populations. Our programs emphasize critical thinking about the relationship between food, nutrition, and health; effective communication methods; and readiness to contribute to future advancements in the field across clinical, community, research, industry, and communications settings.<\/p>\n<h2>Learning Outcomes<\/h2>\n<p><strong>1. Knowledge to Serve Diverse Populations<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Recall the nutritional requirements at each stage of the human life span, including infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, pregnancy, lactation, and older adulthood.<\/li>\n<li>Describe strategies that support healthy eating behaviors across diverse populations.<\/li>\n<li>Discuss global nutrition challenges and potential interventions to address nutrient deficiencies and diet-related health disparities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>2. Critical Thinking about the Relationship between Food, Nutrition, and Health<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Integrate principles of anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry to explain the digestion, absorption, and metabolism of macro- and micronutrients.<\/li>\n<li>Apply knowledge of life-stage-specific nutrition needs to assess dietary patterns and recommend appropriate nutritional interventions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>3. Effective Communication Skills<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Demonstrate proficiency in written and oral communication for specific populations and contexts.<\/li>\n<li>Synthesize scientific information to meet the learning needs of diverse populations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>4. Skills for Future Advancement in the Field<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Analyze the biological, behavioral, socioeconomic, and cultural factors that influence dietary intake and nutritional status across one or more life stages.<\/li>\n<li>Evaluate strategies to support optimal nutrition during critical periods of growth, development, and aging.<\/li>\n<li>Evaluate the impact of dietary patterns and food choices on chronic disease prevention using evidence-based nutrition science.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>BU Hub Requirements<\/h2>\n<p>All BU undergraduate students, including both entering first-year and transfer students, will pursue coursework in the BU Hub,\u00a0the University&#8217;s\u00a0general education program that is integrated into the entire undergraduate experience. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hub\/advising-and-the-hub\/hub-requirements-for-students\/\">BU Hub requirements<\/a> can be satisfied in a number of ways, including coursework in and beyond the major as well as through cocurricular activities. Students majoring in Nutrition will ordinarily, through coursework in the major, satisfy BU Hub requirements in Quantitative Reasoning, Communication, Scientific and Social Inquiry, Diversity, Civic Engagement, and Global Citizenship, and some elements of the Intellectual Toolkit.<\/p>\n<h2>Degree Requirements<\/h2>\n<h3>All Tracks<\/h3>\n<p>A minimum of 128 units with a minimum GPA of 2.0 is required for graduation. The GPA must represent a record that contains no more than 16 units of D grades. A student may repeat a course only once to meet the requirement. If courses are repeated, both grades are used to calculate GPA.<\/p>\n<h3>Information Specific to the Dietetics Track<\/h3>\n<p>The dietetics track includes gateway criteria designed to ensure students are well-prepared to meet the remaining requirements for becoming an RDN. To enter the dietetics track, students must obtain an average grade of C+ (GPA 2.3) in four specific gateway courses: CAS BI 107, CAS BI 108, CAS CH 171, and CAS CH 174. If a C+ average is not obtained, a student may only repeat a course once. Gateway courses completed outside of Boston University must be reviewed and approved for course equivalency by the College of Arts &amp; Sciences. Students meeting all graduation requirements will receive an ACEND Verification Statement documenting completion of DPD requirements.<\/p>\n<h3>Curriculum<\/h3>\n<p>Each course carries 4 units unless otherwise indicated.<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Nutrition Science Track<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<h4>First Year<\/h4>\n<p><em>Fall<\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>CAS BI 107 Biology 1<\/li>\n<li>CAS CH 101 General Chemistry 1<\/li>\n<li>CAS PS 101 General Psychology<\/li>\n<li>CAS WR 120 First-Year Writing Seminar<\/li>\n<li>SAR HP 150 First-Year Sargent Seminar (0 units)<\/li>\n<li>SAR HP 151 Introduction to Health Professions (2 units)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>Spring<\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>CAS BI 108 Biology 2<\/li>\n<li>CAS CH 102 General Chemistry 2<\/li>\n<li>CAS WR 151\/152\/153 Writing, Research, and Inquiry<\/li>\n<li>Elective\/BU Hub requirements outside the major<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Sophomore Year<\/h4>\n<p><em>Fall<\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>CAS BI 203 Cell Biology<\/li>\n<li>CAS CH 203 Organic Chemistry 1<\/li>\n<li>CAS MA 115 Statistics 1<\/li>\n<li>SAR HS 251 Human Nutrition Science<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>Spring<\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>CAS BI 315 Systems Physiology<\/li>\n<li>CAS CH 204 Organic Chemistry 2<\/li>\n<li>CAS MA 116 Statistics 2<\/li>\n<li>CAS SO 215 Sociology of Healthcare <strong>or<\/strong> CAS SO 100 Principles in Sociology<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Junior Year<\/h4>\n<p><em>Fall<\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>CAS CH 373 Principles of Biochemistry<\/li>\n<li>CAS PY 105 Physics 1<\/li>\n<li>CAS MA 121 Calculus for the Life and Social Sciences 1<\/li>\n<li>SAR HP 353 Organization and Delivery of Health Care in the US<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>Spring<\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>CAS BI 114 Human Infectious Diseases<\/li>\n<li>CAS PY 106 Physics 2<\/li>\n<li>SAR HS 230 Food Science\u2020<\/li>\n<li>SAR HS 281 Nutrition Throughout the Life Cycle<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Senior Year<\/h4>\n<p><em>Fall<\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>SAR HS 384 Medical Nutrition Therapy 1<\/li>\n<li>SAR HS 385 Medical Nutrition Therapy 2<\/li>\n<li>SAR HS 415 Undergraduate Nutrition Practicum (2 units)*<\/li>\n<li>SAR HS 467 Research Methods in Nutrition\u00a0(2 units)<\/li>\n<li>Elective\/BU Hub requirements outside the major<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>Spring<\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>CAS PH 251 Medical Ethics <strong>or<\/strong> CAS PH 150 Introduction to Ethics*<\/li>\n<li>SPH PH 510 Essentials of Public Health*<\/li>\n<li>Elective\/BU Hub requirements outside the major (8+ units)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>* Course is recommended, not required.<o:p><\/o:p><\/p>\n<p>\u2020 CAS BI 114 may be taken with SAR HS 230 Food Science.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Nutrition and Health Track<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<h4>First Year<\/h4>\n<p><em>Fall<\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>CAS BI 105 <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span>Introductory Biology for Health Sciences<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<strong>or<\/strong> BI 107 Biology 1<\/li>\n<li>CAS CH 171 Principles of General Chemistry<\/li>\n<li>CAS MA 115 Statistics 1<\/li>\n<li>CAS WR 120 First-Year Writing Seminar<\/li>\n<li>SAR HP 150 First-Year Sargent Seminar (0 units)<\/li>\n<li>SAR HP 151 Introduction to Health Professions (2 units)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>Spring<\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>CAS BI 108 Biology 2 <strong>or<\/strong> CAS BI 210 Human Anatomy<\/li>\n<li>CAS CH 172 <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span>Principles of Organic and Biochemistry<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<strong>or<\/strong>\u00a0CH 174 <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span>Principles of <\/span><\/span>Organic Chemistry<\/li>\n<li>CAS MA 116 Statistics 2<\/li>\n<li>CAS WR 151\/152\/153 Writing, Research, and Inquiry<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Sophomore Year<\/h4>\n<p><em>Fall<\/em><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>CAS BI 211 Human Physiology<\/li>\n<li>CAS PS 101 General Psychology<\/li>\n<li>SAR HS 251 Human Nutrition Science<\/li>\n<li>Introductory-level concentration course<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>Spring<\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>CAS BI 114 Human Infectious Diseases<\/li>\n<li>SAR HS 230 Food Science\u2020<\/li>\n<li>SAR HS 281 Nutrition Throughout the Life Cycle<\/li>\n<li>Elective\/BU Hub requirements outside the major<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Junior Year<\/h4>\n<p><em>Fall<\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>SAR HS 300 Epidemiology 1<\/li>\n<li>SAR HS 397 Nutrition and Chronic Disease<\/li>\n<li>Intermediate-level concentration course<\/li>\n<li>Elective\/BU Hub requirements outside the major<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>Spring<\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>SAR HS 395 Food, Supplements, and Consumer Health<\/li>\n<li>SPH PH 510 Essentials of Public Health*<\/li>\n<li>Intermediate- or advanced-level concentration course<\/li>\n<li>Elective\/BU Hub requirements outside the major<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Senior Year<\/h4>\n<p><em>Fall<\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>SAR HP 353 Organization and Delivery of Health Care in the US<\/li>\n<li>SAR HS 415 Nutrition Practicum (2 units)*<\/li>\n<li>Advanced-level concentration course<\/li>\n<li>Elective\/BU Hub requirements outside the major<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>Spring<\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>SAR HS 489 Lifecourse Approach to Community Nutrition<\/li>\n<li>Elective\/BU Hub requirements outside the major (12+ units)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>* Course is recommended, not required.<o:p><\/o:p><\/p>\n<p>\u2020 CAS BI 114 may be taken with SAR HS 230 Food Science.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Dietetics Track<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<h4>First Year<\/h4>\n<p><em>Fall<\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>CAS BI 107 Biology 1<\/li>\n<li>CAS CH 171 Principles of General Chemistry<\/li>\n<li>CAS PS 101 General Psychology<\/li>\n<li>CAS WR 120 First-Year Writing Seminar<\/li>\n<li>SAR HP 150 First-Year Sargent Seminar (0 units)<\/li>\n<li>SAR HP 151 Introduction to Health Professions (2 units)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>Spring<\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>CAS BI 108 Biology 2<\/li>\n<li>CAS CH 174 Principles of Organic Chemistry<\/li>\n<li>CAS WR 151\/152\/153 Writing, Research, and Inquiry<\/li>\n<li>Elective\/BU Hub requirements outside the major<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Summer<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><span> Human anatomy modules<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul><\/ul>\n<h4>Sophomore Year<\/h4>\n<p><em>Fall<\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>CAS BI 211 Human Physiology<\/li>\n<li>CAS MA 115 Statistics 1<\/li>\n<li>SAR HS 251 Human Nutrition Science<\/li>\n<li>Elective\/BU Hub requirements outside the major<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>Spring<\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>CAS BI 114 Human Infectious Diseases<\/li>\n<li>CAS MA 116 Statistics 2<\/li>\n<li>SAR HS 230 Food Science\u2020<\/li>\n<li>SAR HS 281 Nutrition Throughout the Life Cycle<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul><\/ul>\n<h4>Junior Year<\/h4>\n<p><em>Fall<\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>CAS CH 373 Principles of Biochemistry<\/li>\n<li>SAR HS 384 Medical Nutrition Therapy 1<\/li>\n<li>SAR HS 385 Medical Nutrition Therapy 2<\/li>\n<li>SPH PH 510 Introduction to Public Health*<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>Spring<\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>SAR HS 310 Managing Food and Nutrition Services<\/li>\n<li>SAR HS 486 Applied Nutrition Care<\/li>\n<li>SAR HS 489 Lifecourse Approach to Community Nutrition<\/li>\n<li>SAR HS 588 Applied Nutrition Counseling<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Senior Year<\/h4>\n<p><em>Fall<\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>CAS PH 251 Medical Ethics <strong>or<\/strong> CAS PH 150 Introduction to Ethics*<\/li>\n<li>SAR HS 415 Undergraduate Nutrition Practicum (2 units)*<\/li>\n<li>SAR HS 467 Research Methods in Nutrition\u00a0(2 units)<\/li>\n<li>Elective\/BU Hub requirements outside the major (8+ units)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>Spring<\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>SAR HS 342 Exercise Physiology<\/li>\n<li>SAR HP 353 Organization and Delivery of Health Care in the US<\/li>\n<li>Elective\/BU Hub requirements outside the major (8+ units)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>* Course is recommended, not required.<\/p>\n<p>\u2020 CAS BI 114 may be taken with SAR HS 230 Food Science.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2>Sargent College Thesis for Distinction<\/h2>\n<p>Nutrition students who maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5 are eligible to apply for the Sargent College Senior Thesis for Distinction. This opportunity allows students to engage in an in-depth research project within their major or minor, under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Those who successfully fulfill all thesis requirements will graduate <em>with distinction<\/em>, a designation noted on both their diploma and transcript. Detailed guidelines and eligibility requirements are available <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sargent\/student-resources\/student-research-opportunities\/thesis-for-distinction\/\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Nutrition Summer Study Abroad Opportunity: Italy<\/h2>\n<p>The Padua Mediterranean Diet: Food, Culture &amp; Health program immerses students in the food, agriculture, culture, cuisine, and lifestyle of the Mediterranean region while studying evidence-based research on the Mediterranean diet and health outcomes. Students participate in hands-on activities, learn from expert guest lecturers, and take field trips to vineyards, farms, and marketplaces. The course is taught in English at the BU Padua Academic Center. More information is available <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/abroad\/programs\/italy-padua-mediterranean-diet-food-culture-and-health\/\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Contact For contact information, please visit the Bachelor of Science in Nutrition page on the Sargent College website. The nutrition program has three curricular tracks, each built on a broad foundation of physical, biological, and nutritional sciences. During the first two years of the program, students complete core science courses and begin fulfilling BU Hub [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2129,"featured_media":0,"parent":16270,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16272"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2129"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16272"}],"version-history":[{"count":53,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16272\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":101163,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16272\/revisions\/101163"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16270"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16272"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}