Undergraduate Nutrition Science and Applied Science

Understanding how nutrients and food affect individuals, families, and communities

Freshmen interested in Nutrition Science must begin their college career in the Life Sciences First Year (LSFY) program. They are expected to move into and declare a specific major, like Nutrition Science, by the end of their first year. Transfer students may enroll directly into Nutrition Science courses and bypass the LSFY program.

Our degree pathways do not lead directly to dietetic internships or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist certifications. If you are interested in graduate school, be sure to check individual program requirements against our curriculum.

Nutrition Science

This program fulfills the prerequisites for applying to the following graduate/professional programs: 

• Medicine (MD/DO)
• Dentistry (DDS)
• Physical Therapy (DPT)
• Optometry (OD)
• Pharmacy (PharmD)

Applied Science Concentration

Once accepted into the Nutrition Science major, you have the option to enroll in the Applied Science concentration. This program fulfills the prerequisites for applying to the following graduate/professional programs: 

• Physician Assistant (PA)
• Nursing (RN)
• Registered Dietitian (RDN)
• Public Health (MPH)
• Occupational Therapy (OT)

High Impact Practices

At NC State, you have the option to participate in professional internships, research experience, or teaching opportunities and receive course credit.

Internships: Apply your learnings by partnering with professionals in various nutrition education programs, community nonprofits, healthcare organizations, and local businesses.

Research: Work with faculty who specialize in bioactive properties of food, nutrition education programs for preschoolers, public health recommendations for human milk banking, and innovative technologies for training nutrition educators.

Teaching: Serving as an undergraduate teaching assistant allows a student to build peer-to-peer communication skills and engage in innovative teaching activities with a faculty mentor.

Study abroad opportunities also allow you to explore food and culture in various countries, like Australia, Ireland, Italy, Taiwan, and more.

I am really happy I made the choice to complete my undergraduate education at NC State because [it] provided such comprehensive resources to help me explore my interests, my passion.

Yue “Gabby” Xiong

Class of 2020

Future Career Pathways

Our undergraduate nutrition programs provide an understanding of nutrient functions, nutrition in disease processes, life cycle and exercise nutrition, research methods, and principles of nutrition education and public health.

A B.S. in Nutrition Science can prepare you for a career as a:

• Clinical research coordinator
• Government agency administrator
• Project manager/ coordinator
• Community nutritionist
• Lactation consultant
• Research technician
• Extension educator
• Medical professional (M.D., P.A., R.N., R.D.)
• Wellness health coach