B.S. Nutritional Sciences

college student using a hand mixer in a professional kitchen

Degree requirements

Nutritional Sciences (NS) is offered through the College of Human Ecology (CHE) or the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS). The major requirements are the same across colleges, but the distribution requirements — or the general education courses and electives — vary based on the mission and goals of each college.

Core courses

NS 1150 Nutrition, Health and Society
NS 2450 Social Science Perspectives on Food and Nutrition
NS 3450 Introduction to Physicochemical and Biological Aspects of Foods
NS 3310 Nutrient Metabolism
NS 3320 Methods in Nutritional Sciences

The foundational curriculum includes introductory chemistry and biology, organic chemistry, biochemistry, physiology and math, as well as introductory courses in the social sciences. You will also take at least three advanced level courses in nutritional sciences and courses to meet the general education requirements for your college. You may choose from a broad range of advanced courses including:

NS 3030: Nutrition, Health and Vegetarian Diets
NS 3060: Nutrition and Global Health
NS 4200: Diet and the Microbiome
NS 4250: Nutrition Communications and Counseling
NS 4500: Public Health Nutrition

Curriculum sheets

Curriculum sheets give an overview of all course requirements to help chart your path to completing your degree. View the sheet for the year you entered the program.

View all CHE curriculum sheets

Courses you could take

college student speaking at a conference table

Social Science Perspectives on Food and Nutrition (NS 2450)

Using the food choice process model as a framework, you'll examine the scope of social science aspects of nutrition, including interviews and survey research, to understand food choice.

Nutrient Metabolism (NS 3310)

Examine the biochemical, physiological, molecular and genomic aspects of human nutrition as well as nutrition-related metabolic and chronic diseases.

college students talking at a conference table

Nutrition Communications and Counseling (NS 4250)

Develop effective health promotion communication skills through hands-on experiences in counseling, educational program development, and oral and written communications.

Career paths

Our students are prepared for careers in many nutrition-related fields, including medicine, research, fitness and sports nutrition, nutrition counseling, dietetics, nutritional biochemistry and nutrition education.

Graduate/professional school

Our graduates have been offered admission to many medical schools, including Cornell, Johns Hopkins, Yale, Stanford, University of Chicago, and Albert Einstein College of Medicine. They have also been admitted to a range of prestigious dietetic internships and graduate programs in public health.

Pathway to Registered Dietitian

We offer a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) if you are interested in becoming a registered dietitian. The nutrition major requirements align closely with the DPD required course work.

Sample career paths

Cardiac Rehabilitation Nutritionist, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Clinical Dietitian, Massachusetts General Hospital
Clinical Research Associate, Regeneron Pharmaceutical Inc
Healthcare/Pharmaceutical Consultant, Covance Market Access Services
Nutrition Information Specialist, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Nutritional Epidemiologist, Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion
Pediatrician, Private Practice
Physical Therapist, Athletico Sports Medicine and Physical Therapy Center

Experiential learning

Put theory into practice, explore career opportunities, and learn more about nutrition through experiential learning. You may study abroad, complete off-campus study, or participate in internships or field placements.

Study away options

You can apply to study abroad through a Cornell University-sponsored program, overseas university, or a program sponsored by another institution. Off-campus study is also offered through one of Cornell’s internship-based programs such as Cornell in Washington in Washington, DC; or the Capital Semester in Albany, New York.

Internship and experiential learning examples

Diet aide, The Canterbury Retirement Home
Food intern, Northeast Emergency Food Bank
Expanded Food and Nutrition Program intern, Cornell Cooperative Extension
Intern/shadowing, Private practice
Precision Nutrition intern, The Center for Discovery
Volunteer, Los Angeles BioMed at Harbor UCLA Medical Center

DNS experiential learning

college student standing at a farmers market table with information on SNAP benefits

Research

Develop, implement and analyze research inquiries as part of a faculty research team or through independent research projects. Or grow your research skills through the DNS Honors Program.