Health and Nutrition Sciences, B.S.

School of Natural and Behavioral Sciences

Program Overview

If you believe that nothing is more important than good health, a health and nutrition degree is right for you. This degree will help you promote good health in all contexts: locally, globally, geographically, culturally, socially, and emotionally. You can choose from a plethora of courses in every conceivable aspect of health and nutrition, from birth to old age, across four tracks of study—foods and nutrition, public health, thanatology, and pre-health professions. Depending on their track, health and nutrition majors with this degree often pursue advanced degrees in medicine, nursing, and other allied health fields as well as in public health, clinical nutrition, foods management, community nutrition education, exercise science, or other professional areas.

Health and Nutrition Sciences, B.S.

Where You'll Go

There are many career paths in health and nutrition sciences, including clinical, food management, education, community health, and research. Brooklyn College alumni with a degree in health and nutrition sciences work in healthcare services, education, community nutrition settings, food service, research, corporate wellness, nutrition therapy, and many other fields.

Major Details

The program information listed here reflects the approved curriculum for the 2023–24 academic year per the Brooklyn College Bulletin. Bulletins from past academic years can be found here.

Major Requirements (55–70 Credits)

Health and Nutrition Sciences 3300 or Psychology 3400.

A college-wide minimum of 24 credits in advanced courses in one department must be completed at Brooklyn College with a grade of C or higher in each course.

In addition, all students must complete the requirements in one track within the B.S. degree:

  • Foods and Nutrition
  • Pre-Health Professions
  • Public Health
  • Thanatology

The department chair or designee may allow substitutions for one or more course requirements, consistent with the educational goals of the program.

Recommendation

Students pursuing a B.S. with a pre-health professions or thanatology track who are planning to continue into pre-professional health programs (e.g., medicine, nursing, physical therapy, physician assistant), should consult with the Pre-Health Professions program to decide which courses to take for their intended graduate program.

Student Learning Outcomes

Goal 1: Mastered relevant knowledge. This knowledge includes the biological, social and environmental aspects of health and nutrition.

  • Identify important health status indicators (e.g., major patterns and causes of mortality and morbidity) for individuals and populations locally, nationally, and globally.
  • Describe the multiple biological, environmental, social, and behavioral determinants of health.
  • Demonstrate knowledge about the organization and delivery of personal and public health services.
  • Understand health programs and policies.

Goal 2: Acquired the ability to perform pertinent tasks. These tasks include the analytic and communication skills and techniques needed to function successfully as health and nutrition professionals.

  • Identify and evaluate sources of health-related information and health research.
  • Apply knowledge of health status determinants to real-world problems.
  • Communicate about health issues orally and in writing, including the writing of research papers based on evidence.
  • Conduct basic statistical and epidemiological analyses.

Goal 3: Incorporated appropriate values. These values include a commitment to science and fostering equity in the work of health and nutrition professionals.

  • Value scientific methods and evidence-based knowledge.
  • Respect cultural diversity.
  • Show commitment to social justice, ethics and human rights.
  • Value standards of professional behavior.

Contact

Tracy Wong, Associate Professor

4135 Ingersoll Hall
E: tracy.wong@brooklyn.cuny.edu
P: 718.951.5000, ext. 6287

Or contact:

Office of Undergraduate Admissions

222 West Quad Center
2900 Bedford Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11210
E: adminqry@brooklyn.cuny.edu

To make an appointment with an undergraduate admissions counselor, visit:

Virtual Admissions Counselor Appointments

Tracks

Foods and Nutrition

Students who complete this track will meet the requirements for the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). The program meets the standards set by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), the accrediting body of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and provides the core knowledge requirements necessary for pre-professional practice.

The DPD consists of 24 courses/70 credits and is designed for those who have an interest in the food, nutrition, and dietetics field and want to continue on the path to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). The program provides a foundation in the physical, biological, and social sciences, and provides a strong curriculum in metabolism, clinical and community nutrition, healthcare policy, and food management. Students completing the program will also be prepared for other nutrition and food-management related careers and will be able to sit for the Diet Technician (DTR) exam.

For complete program information, including course listings and program policies, refer to the Undergraduate Nutrition Handbook (PDF). The handbook includes information regarding the requirements and process to become an RDN, requirements for graduation and program completion, curriculum, and policies and procedures.

Application and Admission Requirements

Students can apply to the Foods and Nutrition program through the Brooklyn College application. The major is listed as Health and Nutrition Sciences. Once you are a Brooklyn College student, you will declare the health and nutrition sciences major—foods and nutrition track. The DPD follows the BC Academic Calendar. For program cost, see Tuition and Fees and the handbook for program-specific fees.

For additional questions, e-mail the program director, Susan Jakuboski.

Program Mission

The mission of the didactic program in dietetics is to prepare graduates for graduate school/supervised practice, which leads to eligibility for the CDR credentialing exam to become registered dietitian nutritionists by providing a strong foundation in science, a critical perspective on foods and nutrition, and a cultural appreciation for diverse populations.

Goals and Objectives

Goal #1—To prepare graduates with a solid foundation in science and the critical thinking skills to successfully enter a dietetic internship or graduate school in the field of health and nutrition.

  • At least 80% of program students complete program/degree requirements within three years (150% of the program length).
  • 60% of program graduates apply for admission to a supervised practice program prior to or within 12 months of graduation.
  • 40% of program graduates are admitted to a supervised practice program within 12 months of graduation.
  • The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.
  • 80% of DPD graduates will rate the program three or higher on a five-point scale (“meets expectations” or better) in providing a solid foundation in science and critical perspective on foods and nutrition.
  • 20% of graduates who do not apply to a supervised practice program or do not get accepted to a supervised practice program will be enrolled in a graduate program in health or nutrition.

Goal #2—To foster students’ appreciation for diversity and prepare graduates to work in culturally diverse communities.

  • At least 80% of Dietetic Internship directors will rate program graduates’ preparedness to work with culturally diverse populations three or higher on a five-point scale (“meets expectations” or better).
  • At least 80% of graduates will rate the development of their respect for the diversity of Brooklyn three or higher on a five-point scale (“meets expectations” or better).
  • At least 80% of Dietetic Internship directors will rate program graduates’ overall preparedness to successfully complete a supervised practice program three or higher on a five-point scale (“satisfactory” or better).

Note: Program outcomes data showing the degree to which objectives were met are available upon request.

Accreditation Status

The Brooklyn College DPD is accredited by ACEND the accrediting body of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (the “Academy”), 120 S Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, P: 312.899.4874.

Steps to Becoming an RDN

  1. Complete a bachelor’s degree and receive a verification statement from an ACEND-accredited program (Didactic Program in Dietetics, Coordinated Program, Future Graduate Program, Foreign or International Dietitian Education Program). A graduate degree is required to be eligible to take the Commission on Dietetic Registration. (Dietetic registration exam.)
  2. Completing an ACEND-accredited supervised practice dietetic internship program or Individual Supervised Practice Pathway is an option. Supervised practice/experiential learning is combined with the Coordinated Program, Future Graduate Program, and International Dietitian Education Program.
  3. Pass the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s dietetic registration exam.
  4. Gain licensure in your state of practice, if applicable.
  5. Maintain continuing education.

Program Courses

Biology 1010 or Biology 1001 and 1002

Health and Nutrition Sciences 2300 and 2301

All of the following: Health and Nutrition Sciences 2210, 2220, 2221, 2222W, 2223, 2240, 3210, 3230, 3250, 3255, 3270, 4213, 4230, 4240, 4241, 4300, 5250

Chemistry 1040; or both 1100 and 2100; or 1050, 2050, and 2100. Students considering health professions schools (e.g. medicine, dentistry, physical therapy), will likely need Chemistry 1100 and 2100. In some cases, students may be specifically advised to take Chemistry 1050, 2050, and 2100. Check with the Pre-Health Professions adviser.

Chemistry 2500; or both 3510 and 3520; or all of the following courses: CHEM 3511, 3512, 3521, and 3522. Students considering health professions schools (e.g., medicine, dentistry, physical therapy), will likely need to take Chemistry 3511, 3512, 3521 and 3522. Check with the Pre-Health Professions adviser.

Pre-Health Professions

Biology 1001, 1002.

Chemistry 1040; or 1200, 1201, 2200, 2201; or 1050, 2060, 1201, 2200, and 2201.

All of the following: Health and Nutrition Sciences 1100, 1200 or 2210, 2109W, 2120, 2130, 2140, and the fieldwork course HNSC 4180.

A minimum of six credits from: Health and Nutrition Sciences 2302, 2303, 2300, 2301, 2100, 2111, 2131, 2150, 2170, 2171, 2180, 2181, 2182, 2183, 2212, 2215, 2220, 2221, 3110, 3111, 3112, 3132, 3150, 3160, 3161, 3162, 3170, 3171, 3180, 3181, 3184, 3186, 3187, 3188, 3230, 3314, 3330, 3505, 4150, 4151, 4152, 4153, 4300, and courses numbered in the 5000’s.

A minimum of 15 credits from: BIOL 3003, BIOL 3004, CHEM 2500, CHEM 3511 and CHEM 3512, CHEM 3521, CHEM 3522, CHEM 4571 and CHEM 4572, CHEM 4581 and CHEM 4582, PHYS 1100, PHYS 2100, PSYC 1000; PSYC 2810, PSYC 2200.

Public Health

Biology 1001.

Chemistry 1040; or 1200 and 1201; or 1050, 1201, and 2060.

All of the following: HNSC 1100, 1200 or 2210, 2100, 2109W, 2120, 2130, 2140, 2183, 3112, 3162, 3330, 4152, 4180, 5100.

With consultation with her/his adviser, the student will select six credits of electives drawn from other HNSC courses numbered 2000 and over or the following courses from other departments: ANTH 1100, ANTH 3150, ANTH 3135, ECON 3500, EESC 3750, HIST 3478, KINS 3281, KINS 3285, PHIL 3306, PHIL 3316, POLS 1002, POLS 3415, PSYC 1000, SOCY 1101, SOCY 3202, SUST 1001, WGST 3122, WGST 3501.

Thanatology

Biology 1001, 1002.

Chemistry 1040; or 1200, 1201, 2200, 2201; or 1050, 2060, 1201, 2200, and 2201

All of the following: Health and Nutrition Sciences 1100, 1200 or 2210, 2109W, 2120, 2130, 2140, 3180, 3186, 3187, 3314, and the fieldwork course HNSC 4180.

A minimum of six credits from the following courses: Health and Nutrition Sciences 3181, 3188, 3171, 5390, Art 3151, Classics 3244 / Religion Studies 3035 / History 3025, Psychology 3260, Sociology 2402.

A minimum of 15 credits from: BIOL 3003, BIOL 3004, CHEM 2500, CHEM 3511 and CHEM 3512, CHEM 3521, CHEM 3522, CHEM 4571 and CHEM 4572, CHEM 4581 and CHEM 4582, PHYS 1100, PHYS 2100, PSYC 1000; PSYC 2810, PSYC 2200.

Internships and Employers

Through job fairs, the internship database, and internship panels, the Magner Career Center gives students in the health and nutrition sciences B.S. program access to career opportunities at a wide variety of employers, including:

  • City Harvest
  • Cornell University
  • CUNY Research Foundation
  • Edible Schoolyard NYC
  • Harlem Children’s Zone
  • Maimonides Medical Center
  • Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
  • National Eating Disorders Association
  • New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
  • New York Methodist Hospital
  • Northwell Health
  • NYC Health + Hospitals
  • NYU Langone Health
  • Red Rabbit
  • School Food
  • Spoons Across America

Learn More

Brooklyn. All in.

Brooklyn. All in.