Food and Nutrition Major

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College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) – Department of Food and Nutrition

 

Successful completion of University and departmental requirements leads to the Bachelor of Science. Programs prepare the student for positions in clinical nutrition, foodservice management, community nutrition, health promotion, and other food and nutrition specializations.

The General Education Requirement

All students must satisfy a general education requirement consisting of ten (10) courses outside of the major department. The General Education Domain II-B (Natural Sciences) and laboratory requirement are satisfied through the completion of the major requirements.

Course Prerequisites

Courses may have specified conditions for enrollment, such as prior completion of less advanced courses, permission of the instructor, or appropriate placement test scores. Students should refer to course descriptions in the department listings for prerequisite requirements.

Food and Nutrition Mission Statement

The Food and Nutrition program at Framingham State University will develop a course of study that enables graduates to actively participate in the changing food environment, in the nutrition education process, and in health care delivery systems according to the highest standards of client service and professional ethics.

  • The Coordinated Program in Dietetics concentration integrates an academic and supervised practice curriculum to prepare students to be entry-level dietitians and meet the academic and experiential requirements to be a Licensed Nutritionist Dietitian in Massachusetts. The Coordinated Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) www.eatright.org/ACEND 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000 Chicago IL 60606 phone 312-899-0040, ext. 5400.
  • The Nutrition and Dietetics concentration (Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics) offers an academic curriculum to prepare students to be accepted into a dietetic internship to become a Registered Dietitian or into a graduate program, or to pursue a career in a food, nutrition or related field. This concentration also meets the academic requirements to be a Licensed Nutritionist Dietitian in Massachusetts. The Nutrition and Dietetics Concentration is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) www.eatright.org/ACEND 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000 Chicago IL 60606 phone 312-899-0040, ext. 5400.
  • The Nutrition and Wellness concentration offers an academic curriculum to prepare students to pursue a career in a wellness, food education, nutrition, or related field.
Program learning outcomes data are available on request from the Department Chair and /or the Didactic Program Director or the Coordinated Program in Dietetics Director.

 

Requirements for Major in Food and Nutrition

Major Core Requirements (8):

 

Concentrations

Concentration in Nutrition and Dietetics (UFND)

Students are prepared to assume entry-level positions in settings where applied nutrition and/or foodservice management services are provided. This concentration meets the requirements of the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). Students in this concentration who wish to pursue eligibility for the Registration Examination for dietitians must apply for admission to a post-baccalaureate ACEND-accredited supervised practice program. Students should contact the DPD advisor for assistance with the application process.

Concentration Goals

1. The program will prepare graduates to become nutrition professionals.

a. 50% Nutrition and Dietetics concentration graduates (DPD) will apply to either a Dietetic Internship (DI) program or pathways offering supervised practice within 12 months of graduation. Of those applying, 50% will be accepted into DIs or pathways offering supervised practice.

b. Students will respond 3 or higher on a five-point scale on each course evaluation when asked if the course meets the specific Core Knowledge of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics identified for that course.

c. Graduates will respond 3 or higher on a five-point scale when asked to assess their academic background in subject areas, some of which comprise the Core Knowledge, when surveyed        1-2 years after program completion.

d. Employers will respond 3 or higher on a five-point scale on the Employer or Dietetic Internship Director Questionnaire when asked to rate graduates’ preparation for an entry-level dietetic position.

2. The program will prepare graduates to become dedicated learners throughout life and career.

a. 80% (of respondents) of the Nutrition and Dietetics concentration students who completed a dietetic internship will have completed the continuing professional educational requirements of the Commission on Dietetic Registration and remained Registered Dietitians when surveyed five years after program completion.

b. 50% (of respondents) Nutrition and Dietetics concentration students who do not complete a dietetic internship will be employed in the food and nutrition field and will identify at least one method of continuing professional education when surveyed five years after program completion.

3. The program will foster a variety of careers in food and nutrition.

a. Graduate responses related to job titles on the Food and Nutrition concentrations’ graduate surveys will indicate that graduates are employed in at least three areas of nutrition and dietetics when surveyed 1 – 2 years after program completion.

4. The program will enable students to develop technology proficiency.

a. Students will respond 3 or higher on a five-point scale on course evaluations when asked if specific courses meet the Core Knowledge 2.1 The curriculum must include opportunities to develop a variety of communication skills sufficient for entry into pre-professional practice.

b. Employers will respond 3 or higher on a five-point scale on the Employer Questionnaire when asked to rate graduates’ computer skills.

5. The program will prepare Nutrition and Dietetics concentration students who have completed a dietetic internship to pass the Registration Examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

a. The Nutrition and Dietetics program graduates over a 5-year period will achieve at least an 85% first-time pass rate on the Registration Examination for Dietitians administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

 

Concentration Requirements (10 courses):

  • BIOL 130 Principles of Biology
  • BIOL 235 Principles of Human Physiology
  • BIOL 307 Microbiology
  • CHEM 107 Principles of Chemistry
  • CHEM 108 Principles of Chemistry and Quantitative Analysis
  • CHEM 207 Organic Chemistry I
  • CHEM 301 Biochemistry I
  • NUTR 005 Preparation for Academy Dietetic Internship (non-credit)
  • NUTR 374 Human Nutrition Science
  • NUTR 479 Computer Applications in Nutrition
  • NUTR 483 Medical Nutrition Therapy II

 

 

Concentration in Coordinated Program in Dietetics (UFNP)

Students are prepared to assume entry-level positions in settings where applied nutrition and/or foodservice management services are provided. The concentration in Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CPD) includes both the academic requirements and the supervised practice requirements which qualify students to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians upon graduation. Admission to the CPD is competitive. Applications are accepted only in the spring semester. A minimum second semester sophomore standing is required but applications are accepted from juniors and seniors. Transfer students must be matriculated at the University before applying for the concentration.

One course must be taken during summer session following sophomore or junior year to meet graduation requirements. Options for summer session include: general education goals not previously taken or BIOL 307 Microbiology. Intersession options for General Education courses are also available in sophomore or junior year. Students are required to take NUTR 427 Nutrition in the School Environment (0.5 course-credit), an online course, in the summer preceding the last year of the program. Continuing Education course tuition/fees apply.

Concentration Goals

1. The program will prepare graduates to become nutrition professionals.

a. 85% of students who complete the Coordinated Program in Dietetics will do so within 3 years.

b. 75% of Coordinated Program in Dietetics concentration graduates (CP) will be employed in a dietetics or related field within 12 months of graduation.

c. Students will respond 3 or higher on a five-point scale on each course evaluation when asked if the course meets the specific Core Knowledge and Competencies of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics identified for that course.

d. Graduates will respond 3 or higher on a five-point scale when asked to assess their academic background in subject areas, some of which comprise the Core Knowledge and Competencies , when surveyed 1-2 years after program completion.

e. Employers will respond 3 or higher on a five-point scale on the Employer Questionnaire when asked to rate graduates’ preparation for an entry-level dietetic position.

2. The program will prepare graduates to become dedicated learners throughout life and career.

a.   80% (of respondents) of the Coordinated Program in Dietetics will have completed the continuing professional educational requirements of the Commission on Dietetic Registration and remained Registered Dietitians when surveyed five years after program completion.

3. The program will foster a variety of careers in food and nutrition.

a. Graduate responses related to job titles on the Coordinated Program in Dietetics graduate surveys will indicate that graduates are employed in at least three areas of nutrition and dietetics when surveyed 1 – 2 years after program completion.

4. The program will enable students to develop technology proficiency.

a. Students will respond 3 or higher on a five-point scale on course evaluations when asked if specific courses meet the Core Knowledge 2.1 The curriculum must include opportunities to develop a variety of communication skills sufficient for entry into pre-professional practice.

b. Employers will respond 3 or higher on a five-point scale on the Employer Questionnaire when asked to rate graduates’ computer skills.

5. The program will prepare Coordinated Program in Dietetics concentration students to pass the Registration Examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

a. The Coordinated Program in Dietetics graduates over a 5-year period will achieve at least an 85% first-time pass rate on the Registration Examination for Dietitians administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

 

Concentration Requirements (15 courses):

  • BIOL 130 Principles of Biology
  • BIOL 235 Principles of Human Physiology
  • CHEM 107 Principles of Chemistry
  • CHEM 108 Principles of Chemistry and Quantitative Analysis
  • CHEM 207 Organic Chemistry I
  • CHEM 301 Biochemistry I
  • NUTR 002 Orientation to Dietetics (non-credit)
  • NUTR 374 Human Nutrition Science
  • NUTR 427 Nutrition in the School Environment (0.5 course-credit)
  • NUTR 483 Medical Nutrition Therapy II
  • NUTR 485 Practicum in Foodservice Systems
  • NUTR 486 Experiences in Community Nutrition
  • NUTR 487 School Nutrition Practicum (0.5 course-credit)
  • NUTR 488 Seminar in Clinical Nutrition
  • NUTR 489 Clinical Experience in Dietetics (2 course-credits)

 

Concentration in Nutrition and Wellness (UFNW)

This concentration is for students who do not plan to pursue requirements for the Registration Exam for dietitians. Students take basic science courses in chemistry and biology in addition to a core of food and nutrition courses that provide a general background in nutrition and health, community nutrition, and foodservice management. Students are encouraged to choose a minor that provides an area of specialization.

Concentration Goals

1. The program will prepare graduates to become nutrition professionals.

a. 85% of students enrolled in the Nutrition and Wellness concentration will graduate within 6 years.

b. Students will respond 3 or higher on a five-point scale on each course evaluation when asked if the course meets the specific knowledge statements identified for that course.

c. Graduates will respond 3 or higher on a five-point scale when asked to assess their academic background in subject areas when surveyed 1-2 years after program completion.

d. Employers will respond 3 or higher on a five-point scale on the Employer Questionnaire when asked to rate graduates’ preparation for an entry-level nutrition and wellness position.

2. The program will prepare graduates to become dedicated learners throughout life and career.

a. 50% (of respondents) of the Nutrition and Wellness concentration students will be employed in a related field and will identify at least one method of continuing professional education when surveyed five years after program completion.

3. The program will foster a variety of careers in food and nutrition.

a. Graduate responses related to job titles on the Food and Nutrition concentrations’ graduate surveys will indicate that graduates are employed in at least three areas of food and nutrition or wellness when surveyed 1 – 2 years after program completion.

4. The program will enable students to develop technology proficiency.

a. Students will respond 3 or higher on a five-point scale on course evaluations when asked if specific courses meet the Core Knowledge 2.1 The curriculum must include opportunities to develop a variety of communication skills sufficient for entry into pre-professional practice.

b. Employers will respond 3 or higher on a five-point scale on the Employer Questionnaire when asked to rate graduates’ computer skills.

 

Concentration requirements (12 courses):

A minor is strongly recommended. Students are encouraged to meet with their advisor to select a minor in accordance with their career goals. Recommended minors include: biology, business, information technology, journalism, psychology, sociology, Spanish, communication arts, or professional writing.