Nutrition and Foods BS

Major: Nutrition and Foods
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science (BS)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 182.0
Co-op Options: One Co-op (Four years); No Co-op (Four years)
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 51.3102
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 29-1031

NOTE: This program is no longer accepting applications as of the 2023-2024 academic year.

About the Program

The Nutrition and Foods curriculum emphasizes the relationship between food, food choices, nutrient metabolism and preventive nutrition to meet the health and nutrient needs of individuals and groups. The BS in Nutrition and Foods requires four years of study and the completion of at least 182.0 credits. The curriculum is designed to provide a sound basis for careers in many areas of food, nutrition and dietetics including wellness and disease prevention, the food industry, food service and clinical practice. The study of the biochemical nature of nutrients and foods, their interaction with the environment and their eventual metabolic fate is also a strong career path for more research-minded students or those going on to graduate school in the health professions. 

Paths to Becoming a Registered Dietitian/Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the nation's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals, most of whom are RD/RDNs (Note that the "RD" and "RDN" credentials are the same credential). Students entering higher education in 2023 to become an RD/RDN can follow one of the following pathways:

Didactic Program in Dietetics, Master's Degree and Accredited Dietetic Internship:

  • Completion of a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) at either the bachelor's or master's degree level. The DPD includes coursework approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Coursework typically includes nutrition and food sciences, chemistry, biochemistry, physiology, microbiology, community nutrition, nutrition counseling, basic and quantity food preparation, food service systems management, and medical nutrition therapy. Drexel currently offers a DPD program at the master's degree level.
  • Beginning in January 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration will require the completion of a master's degree to sit for the RDN exam. If the student has completed the DPD at the bachelor's degree level, the master's degree may be in any discipline. 
  • Completion of an accredited, supervised practice program, also called a dietetic internship (DI) or Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway (ISPP), at healthcare facilities, community agencies, and food service operations. The internship must provide a minimum of 1,000 hours of hands-on training.
  • Pass a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration

OR

Future Education Model Graduate Program:

  • Bachelor's degree in any discipline including coursework in the following areas as prerequisites to a graduate degree in nutrition: nutrition, chemistry, biochemistry, physiology, biology, psychology and statistics
  • Graduate-level program that integrates a minimum of 1,000 hours of experiential learning with coursework in the classroom including nutrition and food sciences, community nutrition, nutrition through the life cycle, food service systems management and medical nutrition therapy
  • Pass a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
120 South Riverside Plaza
Suite 2000
Chicago, IL  60606
800-877-1600 x5400
www.eatright.org

Additional Information

For more information, visit the College's Nutrition Sciences webpage.

Admission/Graduation Requirements

Admission Requirements

Drexel takes into consideration a number of criteria when determining admission including the applicant's application, transcripts, courses in progress, two letters of recommendation, standardized test scores, essay, and special interests (list of extracurricular activities, employment, etc.). Applicants to the Nutrition and Foods program must have completed three years of high school mathematics (algebra I and II, geometry, and trigonometry) and two years of a laboratory science (biology, chemistry, or physics). Applicants should have a strong interest in, and aptitude for, the basic sciences that are required in the program.

To be considered as a transfer student, candidates should have completed a minimum of 24.0 college credits. Drexel operates on a rolling admission basis, which means that students will be notified about the admission decision as soon as possible after their files are complete.

Visit the Admissions website for more information and to apply online.

Graduation Requirements

To receive a BS in Nutrition and Foods, students in the program must complete a plan of study of all required courses and enough elective courses to total at least 182.0 credits. An overall GPA of 2.0 or higher for all coursework undertaken at Drexel University must be earned to receive a BS. 

For the current academic calendar, visit Drexel University Academic Calendars.

Degree Requirements 

Communications and English
COM 230Techniques of Speaking3.0
COM 345Intercultural Communication3.0
or COM 310 Technical Communication
ENGL 101Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research3.0
or ENGL 111 English Composition I
ENGL 102Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing3.0
or ENGL 112 English Composition II
ENGL 103Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres3.0
or ENGL 113 English Composition III
Physical and Biological Sciences
BIO 122Cells and Genetics4.5
CHEM 101General Chemistry I3.5
CHEM 103General Chemistry III4.5
CHEM 108Health Chemistry I3.0
HSCI 101Anatomy and Physiology I5.0
HSCI 102Anatomy and Physiology II5.0
HSCI 103Anatomy and Physiology III5.0
Humanities and Social Sciences
ANTH 101Introduction to Cultural Diversity3.0
or SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology
PSY 101General Psychology I3.0
Management and Computing
HRM 455Hospitality Human Resources Management3.0
ORGB 300 [WI] Organizational Behavior4.0
Foods, Food Safety, and Food Production
CULA 115Culinary Fundamentals3.0
CULA 405 [WI] Culture and Gastronomy I3.0
CULA 425The Kitchen Garden3.0
FDSC 154Science of Food and Cooking4.0
FDSC 270Microbial Food Safety and Sanitation4.0
FDSC 350Experimental Foods: Product Development3.0
HRM 120Principles of Food-Service Management3.0
HRM 215Commercial Food Production4.0
Mathematics and Statistics
MATH 101Introduction to Analysis I4.0
HSCI 345Statistics for Health Sciences4.5
Nutrition and Food Sciences
NFS 100Nutrition, Foods, and Health2.0
NFS 101Introduction to Nutrition & Food1.0
NFS 202Nutrition: Wellness and Weight Management3.0
NFS 203Nutrition II: Nutrition in the Lifecycle4.0
NFS 230Intermediate Nutrition4.0
NFS 265Professional Issues in Nutrition and Foods3.0
NFS 315Nutrition in Chronic Disease4.0
NFS 325Nutrition & Exercise Physiology3.0
NFS 345Foods and Nutrition of World Cultures3.0
NFS 391Community Nutrition4.0
NFS 415Advanced Nutrition I: Macronutrition4.0
NFS 416Advanced Nutrition II: Micronutrients4.0
NFS 494Senior Project I2.0
NFS 495Senior Project II2.0
NFS 496Senior Project III2.0
Additional Requirements
UNIV NH101The Drexel Experience1.0
CIVC 101Introduction to Civic Engagement1.0
COOP 101Career Management and Professional Development *1.0
Free Electives *40.0
Total Credits182.0
*

Students not participating in co-op will not take COOP 101; 1 credit of Free Elective will be added in place of COOP 101


Writing-Intensive Course Requirements

In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid “clustering” these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.

A "WI" next to a course in this catalog may indicate that this course can fulfill a writing-intensive requirement. For the most up-to-date list of writing-intensive courses being offered, students should check the Writing Intensive Course List at the University Writing Program. Students scheduling their courses can also conduct a search for courses with the attribute "WI" to bring up a list of all writing-intensive courses available that term.

Sample Plan of Study 

4 year, no co-op

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
CHEM 1083.0CHEM 1013.5BIO 1224.5VACATION
ENGL 101 or 1113.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0CHEM 1034.5 
PSY 1013.0CULA 1153.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0 
NFS 1002.0MATH 1014.0FDSC 1544.0 
NFS 1011.0CIVC 1011.0  
UNIV NH1011.0   
 13 14.5 16 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
HRM 1203.0HSCI 1025.0HSCI 1035.0VACATION
HSCI 1015.0FDSC 2704.0NFS 2034.0 
NFS 2304.0NFS 2023.0COM 345 or 3103.0 
NFS 2653.0Free elective4.0Free elective3.0 
 15 16 15 0
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ANTH 101 or SOC 1013.0FDSC 3503.0COM 2303.0VACATION
HRM 2154.0NFS 3154.0HSCI 3454.5 
NFS 3914.0Free electives7.0ORGB 3004.0 
Free electives3.0 Free electives7.0 
 14 14 18.5 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
CULA 4053.0NFS 3253.0CULA 4253.0 
NFS 4154.0NFS 4164.0HRM 4553.0 
NFS 4942.0NFS 4952.0NFS 3453.0 
Free electives6.0Free electives7.0NFS 4962.0 
  Free electives4.0 
 15 16 15 
Total Credits 182
*

Students not participating in co-op will not take COOP 101; 1 credit of Free Elective will be added in place of COOP 101.

4 year, one co-op

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
CHEM 1083.0CHEM 1013.5BIO 1224.5VACATION
ENGL 101 or 1113.0CIVC 1011.0CHEM 1034.5 
PSY 1013.0CULA 1153.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0 
NFS 1002.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0FDSC 1544.0 
NFS 1011.0MATH 1014.0  
UNIV NH1011.0   
 13 14.5 16 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
HRM 1203.0FDSC 2704.0COM 345 or 3103.0ANTH 101 or SOC 1013.0
HSCI 1015.0HSCI 1025.0COOP 101*1.0COM 2303.0
NFS 2304.0NFS 2023.0HSCI 1035.0HSCI 3454.5
NFS 2653.0Free Elective3.0NFS 2034.0Free Electives6.0
  Free Elective3.0 
 15 15 16 16.5
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
HRM 2154.0FDSC 3503.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
NFS 3914.0NFS 3154.0  
NFS 4154.0NFS 4164.0  
Free Elective3.0Free Elective6.0  
 15 17 0 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
CULA 4053.0NFS 3253.0CULA 4253.0 
NFS 4942.0NFS 4952.0HRM 4553.0 
Free Elective9.0ORGB 3004.0NFS 3453.0 
 Free Elective7.0NFS 4962.0 
  Free Elective3.0 
 14 16 14 
Total Credits 182
*

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major. 

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.


Career Opportunities

Graduates of the BS in Nutrition and Foods are prepared to work in a variety of organizations and industries, or to go on to further their education and training. Most pursue a path to become a Registered Dietitian/Registered Dietitian Nutritionist through the Drexel Bridge to the MS in Nutrition and Dietetics or the MS in Human Nutrition Plus Partner Dietetic Internship. Registered Dietitians/Registered Dietitian Nutritionists are credentialed to work in may different areas including the following:

  • Clinical dietitians are specialists in medical nutrition therapy in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and private practices. They assess patient nutrition, develop dietary plans, provide patient counseling, and monitor patient progress
  • Community Dietitians work in public health agencies, health and fitness clubs, for the Women, Infants, and Children Special Supplemental Nutrition Program (WIC), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed), and other non-profit organizations with a focus on nutrition. They counsel people on food choices and direct programs in nutrition awareness and disease prevention.
  • Sports Dietitians work with professional sports teams, Olympic and/or university and college teams. They provide team and individual nutrition counseling, establish fueling stations, work with food service industry during travel, etc.
  • Management Dietitians specialize in clinical management or food service systems. They work in hospitals, nursing homes, school food service, cafeterias, restaurants, the airline industry, etc. They manage personnel, plan and conduct employee training programs, design food systems, and plan budgets
  • Business Dietitians work in the food industry in product development and marketing, public relations, food styling, and menu design
  • Consultant Dietitians are independent business people who work as consultants to sports teams, nursing homes, corporations, etc.

With the exception of clinical settings, graduates of the BS in Nutrition and Foods are qualified to work in most of the same settings as described above, as well as in other roles in health and fitness.

Facilities

The Center for Nutrition & Performance, located in the Daskalakis Athletic Center, provides a variety of nutrition services to the Drexel community, including workshops, lectures, support for athletic teams, and individual counseling. An employee weight loss program is available through the Center for Nutrition & Performance. The Center for Nutrition & Performance also works with some professional teams as well as internationally.

Nutrition and Foods Faculty

Nyree Dardarian, MS, RD, LDN, CSSD, FAND (East Tennessee State University) Director, Center for Nutrition & Performance. Clinical Assistant Professor. Energy expenditure; sports nutrition
Susan Fuchs, MS, IBCLC (Drexel University) Director, Human Lactation Certificate Program. Clinical Instructor. Human lactation
Beth L. Leonberg, MS, MA, RDN, CSP, FAND, LDN (Drexel University) Director, Didactic Program in Dietetics . Associate Clinical Professor. Pediatric nutrition.
Brandy-Joe Milliron, PhD (Arizona State University). Associate Professor. The development and evaluation of modifications in the natural environment to promote healthier living; farm to table school initiatives
Jennifer Nasser, PhD, RD, FTOS (Rutgers University). Associate Professor. Dopamine-mediated mechanisms of food intake regulation in humans and its impact on metabolic homeostasis, especially as it applies to obesity, eating disorders and aging. Implementation of methods to maximize nutrient density of food provided in community food services.
Jennifer Quinlan, PhD (North Carolina State University). Professor. Food microbiology; microbiological quality and safety of produce, dairy and meat products in markets in high vs. low socioeconomics areas, Bacillus and Clostridium spores in food processing.
Vicki Schwartz, DCN, RD, LDN, CNSC, FAND (Rutgers University). Assistant Clinical Professor. Clinical nutrition; using standardized patients in nutrition counseling
Patricia A. Shewokis, PhD (University of Georgia). Professor. Roles of cognition and motor function during motor skill learning; role of information feedback frequency on the memory of motor skills, noninvasive neural imaging techniques of functional near infrared spectroscopy(fNIRS) and electroencephalography (EEG) and methodology and research design.
Deeptha Sukumar, PhD (Rutgers University). Associate Professor. Vitamin D and magnesium and bone mineral density; obesity and bone mineral density.

Emeritus Faculty

Donna H. Mueller, PhD (Temple University). Associate Professor Emeritus. Clinical nutrition; pediatric nutrition; nutrition in pulmonary diseases, especially cystic fibrosis; nutrition in developmental delay; dental nutrition; dietetic education and professional development.
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