The food we eat has a significant impact on our health. A major in nutrition, dietetics and food science prepares you for a meaningful career in the science of food.
Why Study Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Science?
Nutrition, dietetics and food science affect every person, every day.
You'll learn to apply the physical, biological and social sciences to the study of foods and nutrition. Coursework is combined with hands-on experience in food laboratories and classrooms that focuses on positive health outcomes, food justice and current trends such as locally-sourced food and sustainable agriculture.
This major is a good fit for those who are interested in working in the field of community nutrition education, health and wellness, prevention, sports nutrition and culinary education.
Why Study Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Science at CSUN?
Mentorship and Advising
You will be mentored and guided by our faculty advisors, who are experienced educators and active professionals in the food and nutrition community. Opportunities for leadership, internships, networking and potential lifelong professional relationships abound in the program.
Internships
You'll develop skills in promoting nutrition services, providing health screening, performing nutritional assessment and counseling, analyzing nutrition-related information and documentation, nutrition services, as well as understanding the Nutrition Care Process in delivery of care. Some on-campus and off-campus internships are available through the Marilyn Magaram Center (MMC) for Food Science, Nutrition, and Dietetics.
Involved Student Community
You'll have opportunities to participate in department activities and develop leadership skills through the CSUN Food Science Association (FSA), which is a recognized student chapter of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT).
What You'll Learn
The department offers two options: food science and nutrition and dietetics. You'll study core topics such as biology, chemistry, human physiology, nutrition for life and food science and technology.
You'll then choose to specialize in either nutrition and dietetics or food science.
The nutrition and dietetics option focuses on the application of physical, biological and social sciences to the study of foods and nutrition. You'll be prepared in the field of nutritional science for a career as a registered dietitian or nutritionist. You'll take such courses as:
- Drug Nutrient Interactions
- Advanced Nutrition Micronutrients
- Medical Nutrition Therapy I and II
- Community Nutrition
- Introduction to Psychology
- American Political Institutions
The food science option focuses on the physical, microbiological and chemical makeup of food and examines how it is grown and/or manufactured, processed, preserved, packaged, transported, and otherwise prepared according to industry and government specifications and regulations. You'll take such courses as:
- Food Product Development
- Food Safety and Quality Assurance
- Food Chemistry
- Food Analysis
- Consumer Rights, Issues and Problems
- Business Law
Careers & Outcomes
Our graduates find employment in diverse careers in health care, community health settings, culinary and food industries, government and nonprofit organizations, and academia.
Below are sample job titles and some of the places our graduates work.
Job Titles
- Dietitian
- Nutrition Educator
- Public Policy Advocate
- Researcher
- Educator
Marilyn Magaram Center Promotes Health and Well-being
The Marilyn Magaram Center for Food Science, Nutrition and Dietetics promotes health and well-being through research, education and services in food science, nutrition and dietetics.
Accreditation
CSUN's Food Science program is accredited by the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS).
The Nutrition and Dietetics program at CSUN is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.