Nutritional Sciences, BS Nutrition and Dietetics
Program Overview
Introduction to Nutritional Sciences, BS Nutrition and Dietetics
The Nutritional Sciences, BS Nutrition and Dietetics program at the University of WisconsinMadison is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in nutrition and dietetics. The program prepares students for postgraduate training required to become registered dietitian nutritionists (RDN) and explores nutrition through clinical and management courses.
Program Overview
The program emphasizes the role of food and nutrition in treating and preventing disease, with employment of registered dietitians projected to grow faster than other occupations. Registered dietitian nutritionists work in a wide variety of settings, including healthcare, business and industry, community and public health, education, research, government agencies, and private practice.
Learning through Hands-on Experiences
Courses in the program expose students to clinical problem-solving, assessing medical record data, evaluating food intake, planning modified diets, and reviewing medical and research literature related to certain diseases or conditions. This training develops critical thinking, teamwork, and communication skills needed by dietetic interns and registered dietitians.
Building Community and Networks
The Dietetics and Nutrition Club is an academic and professional registered student organization that offers opportunities for members to participate in networking events, volunteer activities, and community outreach opportunities.
Customizing a Path of Study
Students in the program can pursue Honors in Research through the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Many students also enhance their major by participating in a certificate program, including Global Health.
Making a Strong Start
First-year seminar courses help students maximize their education, develop professional skills, and make informed decisions about their classes, internships, and career paths.
Gaining Global Perspective
Several courses emphasize global health and world nutrition, and the university offers more than a dozen study abroad and exchange programs that include a nutritional science component. Students can explore studying abroad utilizing the Nutrition and Dietetics Major Advising Page.
Admission to the Program
Admission to the Nutritional Sciences BS Nutrition and Dietetics degree program requires completion of prerequisite courses with a cumulative GPA of 2.0, as well as an overall GPA of 2.0. Students must apply for and be admitted to the program no later than the end of the semester in which they accumulate 86 credits.
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the BS Nutritional Sciences nutrition and dietetics program, the following requirements must be met:
- A minimum overall cumulative GPA of 2.0
- Completion of one semester at UWMadison before applying
- A minimum mean GPA of 2.0 in the required prerequisite courses
University General Education Requirements
All undergraduate students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are required to fulfill a minimum set of common university general education requirements, including:
- BreadthHumanities/Literature/Arts: 6 credits
- BreadthNatural Science: 4 to 6 credits
- BreadthSocial Studies: 3 credits
- Communication Part A & Part B
- Ethnic Studies
- Quantitative Reasoning Part A & Part B
College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Requirements
In addition to the University General Education Requirements, all undergraduate students in CALS must satisfy a set of college and major requirements, including:
- Quality of Work: Students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.000
- Residency: Students must complete 30 degree credits in residence at UWMadison
- First-year seminar
- International studies
- Physical science fundamentals
- Biological science
- Additional science
- Science breadth
- CALS Capstone Learning Experience
Major Requirements
The major requirements for the Nutritional Sciences, BS Nutrition and Dietetics program include:
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Foundation courses
- Core courses
- Capstone courses
Course List
The following courses are required for the major:
- ANAT&PHY 335: Physiology
- CHEM 103: General Chemistry I
- CHEM 104: General Chemistry II
- CHEM 109: Advanced General Chemistry
- CHEM 341: Elementary Organic Chemistry
- FOOD SCI 301: Introduction to the Science and Technology of Food
- FOOD SCI 437: Food Service Operations
- NUTR SCI 200: Professional Skills in Dietetics
- NUTR SCI 332: Human Nutritional Needs
- NUTR SCI 431: Nutrition in the Life Span
- NUTR SCI 500: Undergraduate Capstone Seminar Laboratory
- NUTR SCI 631: Clinical Nutrition I
- NUTR SCI 632: Clinical Nutrition II
University Degree Requirements
To receive a bachelor's degree from UWMadison, students must earn a minimum of 120 degree credits and complete the University General Education Requirements and the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Requirements.
Learning Outcomes
The program learning outcomes include:
- Obtaining and articulating specialized knowledge in the field of nutritional sciences and dietetics
- Obtaining and articulating foundational knowledge in areas relevant to the field of nutrition and dietetics
- Communicating complex ideas in a clear and understandable manner
- Demonstrating quantitative literacy in math and statistics relevant to nutritional sciences and dietetics
- Demonstrating the ability to think critically and creatively
- Developing the skills for life-long learning and locating, interpreting, and critically evaluating professional literature and current research
- Developing a global perspective and an appreciation for the interdependencies among individuals and their workplaces, communities, environments, and world
- Developing a respect for truth, a tolerance for diverse views, and a strong sense of personal and professional ethics
Four-Year Plan
A sample four-year plan for the Nutritional Sciences, BS Nutrition and Dietetics program is provided, outlining the courses and credits required for each semester.
Advising and Careers
Students are assigned a professional advisor who assists them with building their personalized Wisconsin Experience and provides advising on career paths, including graduate school or pursuing advanced degrees in the health sciences. Alumni of the program are working as Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs), clinical nutritionists, physician assistants, nutrition directors and counselors, and health coaches.
Wisconsin Experience
The Wisconsin Experience includes opportunities for student organizations, community engagement and volunteering, global engagement, and research experience. The Dietetics and Nutrition Club is an academic and professional registered student organization that offers opportunities for members to participate in networking events, volunteer activities, and community outreach opportunities.
Certification/Licensure
A Nutritional Sciences BS in Nutrition and Dietetics fulfills the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) portion of the DPD + Dietetic Internship pathway to become an RDN. Following completion of the Nutritional Sciences BS in Nutrition and Dietetics (DPD), students must complete a supervised practicum (dietetic internship) and a master's degree to be eligible to sit for the national RDN examination.
Resources and Scholarships
The Department of Nutritional Sciences awards tens of thousands of dollars in scholarship funds for students each year, and Nutrition and Dietetics students are also eligible for scholarships in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation provides dietetic scholarships to students.
Accreditation
The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics, with an accreditation status of Accredited and a next accreditation review in 2027.