Program Overview
Discover the power of food with UNE’s Bachelor of Science in Nutrition degree. As the impacts of diet-related chronic diseases skyrocket, there is a mounting need for more nutrition specialists to improve the health of individuals and communities — both locally and globally. In our program, you will learn the practical skills that are in demand by employers: how to conduct nutritional assessments, create wellness programming, develop food policy, and counsel athletes in sports nutrition. By understanding the science behind nutrition and how to collaboratively work as part of a health care team, you will make a real difference in people’s lives.
Why UNE for Nutrition
UNE’s Nutrition degree is a recipe for success, providing a unique mixture of top-rate facilities, hands-on internship experiences, global travel, and the opportunity to learn how to provide nutritional guidance as part of a comprehensive health care team.
- Service-learning and community experience
- Exciting internships for on-the-job experience
- Opportunity to work across the health professions
- Large commercial kitchen for food preparation training
- Use of on-campus Makerspace incorporated into the curriculum
- Study abroad opportunities
Hear About UNE's Nutrition Degree from Current Students
Careers
Your knowledge of nutrition science and research techniques, your communication and collaboration skills, and your rich internship experiences will give you a healthy advantage in the field of nutrition.
You may pursue graduate study, leading to a master’s degree as a registered dietician or certified nutrition specialist (CNS), or you may explore a number of rewarding careers, including:
- Nutrition Educator
- Health Coach
- Sports Nutritionist
- Nutrition Program Manager
- Health Promotion Coordinator
- Worksite Wellness Manager
- Nutrition Research Assistant
According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook, careers in the nutrition field are expected to grow 14% between 2016 and 2026 — a growth rate that is faster than average for all occupations.
Whether you have a specific career goal in mind or a vague idea of the field that interests you, the Office of Career Services is here to help you plan your next step.
Explore Our Facilities
Join UNE Students In Our Teaching Kitchen
Watch UNE students as they utilize our state-of-the-art teaching kitchen. The kitchen features 12 cooking stations, six ovens, and two refrigerators, enabling us to create a learning laboratory for our nutrition students. Multiple courses make use of the kitchen, all of which prepare our students for eligibility into UNE’s online graduate program in Applied Nutrition.
Cooking Up Fish Tacos
Making Tofu Stir-Fry
Student Success By The Numbers
of graduates employed or enrolled in grad school within one year of graduation
in Maine for getting a job
Academics
Examples of Available Courses
There are many ways you can navigate our B.S. in Nutrition. The following are some examples of the exciting courses that you can take:
- Food Science Concepts and Food Safety
- Fundamentals of Healthy Cooking
- Food, Health, and Disease
- Nutrition Across Seven Continents
- Food Systems and Public Health
- Designing and Supporting Healthy Communities
Curriculum
| WCHP Common Curriculum | Credits |
|---|---|
| BIO 104/104L – General Biology | 4 |
| BIO 208/208L – Intro to Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| BIO 209/209L – Intro to Anatomy and Physiology II or BIO 209G/209LG – Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| CHE 130 – Principles of Chemistry | 4 |
| ENG 110 – English Composition or (ENG 122 – College Reading & Writing I and ENG 123 – College Reading & Writing II) | 4–6 |
| EXS 120 – Personal Health and Wellness | 3 |
| IHS 130 – Interprofessional Health Care First-Year Experience | 3 |
| IHS 310 – Ethics for Interprofessional Practice | 3 |
| MAT 120 – Statistics or MAT 150 – Statistics for Life Sciences | 3 |
| PSY 105 – Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 250 – Lifespan Development | 3 |
| SOC 150 – Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| One (1) Creative Arts Course (ARH/ART/MUS) | 3 |
| One (1) Explorations Course | 3 |
| GLS 490 – Center for Global Humanities Seminar | 3 |
| Total | 50–52 |
| Required Courses | Credits |
| ENV 104 – Environmental Issues | 3 |
| NUTR 200 – Food Science Concepts and Food Safety | 3 |
| NUTR 220 – Nutrition | 3 |
| NUTR 238 – Fundamentals of Healthy Cooking | 3 |
| NUTR 342 – Food Systems and Public Health | 3 |
| NUTR 350 – Nutritional Biochemistry | 3 |
| NUTR 400 – Food, Health, and Disease | 3 |
| NUTR 410 – Nutrition Across Seven Continents | 3 |
| NUTR 420 – Designing and Supporting Healthy Communities | 4 |
| NUTR 430 – Innovations and Special Topics in Nutrition | 3 |
| PUB 200 – Foundations of Public Health | 3 |
| PUB 205 – Principles of Epidemiology | 3 |
| PUB 305 – Research Methods | 3 |
| BIO 318 – Nutrition through the Life Cycle | 3 |
| EXS 322 – Bioenergetics and Metabolism | 3 |
| HWOS 424 – Theories of Health Education | 4 |
| SOC 275 – Sociology of Food and Health | 3 |
| One (1) Business elective (BUEC/BUFI/BUMG/BUMK) | 3 |
| CMM 122 – Oral Communication or SPC 100 – Effective Public Speaking | 3 |
| Total | 59 |
| Open elective courses (needed to reach 120 credits) | Variable |
| Minimum Required Total Credits | 120 |
To learn more about the program see the Academic Catalog.
Changes were made to this program in an addendum to the 2022/23 academic calendar. Please see the 2022–2023 Catalog Addendum (PDF) for the most recent information. As always, it is recommended that students seek the guidance of Academic Advisors for course and program planning. In this way, you will be able to access all the most up-to-date information available.
Master of Science in Applied Nutrition
If you're interested in pursuing an advanced degree in nutrition, check out UNE Online's master's degree in Applied Nutrition.
Understanding the Science of Nutrition
Experiential Learning
Whether you’re engaged in a service-learning project out in the community, learning food safety techniques in our commercial kitchen, or creating a meal plan for diabetes patients as part of a hospital internship, our Nutrition degree gives you real-world experiences that will feed your desire to succeed.
- Learn to prepare nutritious meals in our large commercial kitchen
- Bring your dream restaurant to life by using state-of-the-art technology in our Makerspace
- Interact with students across the health professions as you learn to be part of a successful health care team
Internships
Our students work with many different organizations to gain critical real-world experience. Partner sites include:
- Maine Medical Center
- Maine SNAP-Ed Program
- Saco Sport and Fitness Center
- Southern Maine Health Care
- UNE Athletics Department
- UNE Wellness Program
Global Education
See The World
Different populations face very different nutritional challenges, and creating supportive environments for individuals to adopt healthy behavior often entails demonstrating cross-cultural sensitivity. Develop your cultural competency by studying abroad for a semester in Spain or on our own international campus in Morocco. Or, if you prefer, opt for one or more of our faculty-led travel courses that will take you to places such as Cuba, Ireland, Mexico, Italy, and Kenya.
Interested in studying abroad? Make a plan with your advisor.
UNE's Westbrook College of Health Professions also offers a unique opportunity for a Health Care Immersion Experience in Ghana, West Africa. The experience normally takes place in August, and comprises an interprofessional group of students and faculty who deliver primary care and related services in the twin cities of Sekondi and Takoradi. You work closely with community health outreach workers and professionals from the Effia Nkwanta College of Nursing and Midwifery. The work involves interprofessional collaboration, community education, and academic and cross-cultural exchange.
