Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Food Science

Why Study Nutrition and Food Science?

Access to nourishing food is a basic human right. Deepen your passion for health, food and nutrition in a career that can help others live their healthiest lives. Understanding how food supports all processes in the human body is an exciting, and applied field of study.

You’ll learn about the chemistry, properties and nutritional values of food, which can be applied to various industries including food product development and health and wellness. Graduates will align their understanding of nutrition with human physiology and function throughout the lifespan under a variety of health conditions, as well as disease prevention and/or management. Choose from a selection of programs to focus on the area of your interest or career goals.  

Hands-on Learning

Apply your knowledge and skills while completing real-world projects and case studies that examine issues faced by the food industry and nutritional health sector. The Science Internship Program provides U of A students with an excellent opportunity to apply knowledge gained in academic studies to the workplace through a full-time, paid 4, 8, 12 or 16 month internship experience. Food science internships can take you behind the scenes in the very food production facilities that supply local grocery stores. For example, one student worked at Daiya Foods and analyzed food product formulations and ingredients such as pH, moisture, viscosity, stability and micro testing. 

Take advantage and access cutting-edge technology during your degree. The U of A is home to the world-class Human Nutrition Research Unit, which houses the equipment needed to perform comprehensive nutritional assessments, including a DEXA scan machine and Bod Pod. Their Whole Body Calorimetry Unit is one of two units in Canada!

Programs

General Program

Learn the fundamentals of nutritional science alongside applied chemistry and microbiology related to food products.

Program Requirements
Food Science and Technology Specialization

Apply chemistry, microbiology and engineering to the technological processes used in the development, manufacturing, preservation, storage and distribution of food products.

Program Requirements
Dietetics Specialization

Gain both the knowledge and practical skills needed to practice as a Registered Dietitian. This is the only registered dietetics program in Alberta.

Program Requirements
Honors in Food Science or Nutrition

The BSc Honors in Food Science or Nutrition programs are intended for highly-motivated students who aim for research-oriented careers, such as a research officer or technologist, or plan to pursue graduate-level studies. They are more specialized and research-intensive degrees that require a higher standard of academic achievement for both admission and ongoing performance.

Program Requirements

 

“Since I graduated with a degree in food science, I’m able to work as a product development technologist, helping to produce food for millions of Canadians every year.”

 

- Alumna Mandy was excited to learn more about the science of food, and enter into a career with widespread impact.

 
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Featured Courses

A lecture course that examines the understanding of how nutrients act on a cellular, tissue and whole organism level to influence human growth, development and aging.
Explore environmental factors affecting the growth, activity and destruction of microorganisms in food and their application to control foodborne illness and spoilage in the food processing and food service industries.

 

 

 

A lecture and reading course to review current research and the scientific basis of nutrition intervention in the prevention and treatment of chronic human disease. Research findings are translated to nutrition recommendations in topical areas including global health and food supply, obesity, cardiovascular disease, polycystic ovary syndrome and behavior-cognitive disorders.
Travel to France to study nutrition and food sciences at the Institut Polytechnique LaSalle Beauvais! For example, the From Field to Plate course integrates culinary arts, health sciences and professional practice to learn all about sustainable food production.

 

 

Feature Careers

Registered Dietitians are in-demand care professionals who assess, develop, deliver and evaluate strategies and programs related to food and nutrition. They develop and study food and food products. They manage food service systems. They do research and promote food safety. The College of Dietitians of Alberta is the regulatory body for the profession of dietetics in Alberta. Average Salary: $76,537

Interested students should pursue the Dietetics Specialization.

Food Scientists investigate the chemical, microbiological, physical, and sensory nature of food. They apply their knowledge to developing, processing, preserving, packaging, distributing, and storing foodstuffs.  Average Salary: $92,613

Source: Government of Alberta, Occupations in Alberta

 

Careers in Nutrition and Food Science

  • Biotechnologist
  • Food Scientist
  • Microbiologist
  • Public Health Inspector
  • Food Science Technologist
  • Biochemist
  • Registered Dietitian
  • Food and Nutrition Manager
  • Health Promotion Officer
  • Community Nutrition Educator 
  • Nutritional Consultant
  • Recipe Developer

Check out the U of A's Nutrition and Food Science Career Guide for more options.

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Research & Facilities

Study Here

The University of Alberta was recently ranked 2th in the world in our efforts to advance the second global Sustainable Development Goal: Zero Hunger, which makes it the perfect place to study and evaluate nutrition and food science.

The Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences at the U of A provides solutions to global challenges in food and nutrition, as well as agriculture, the environment and human ecology. ALES faculty members and staff apply their broad scientific expertise in world-class facilities to improve lives at local and international levels. Students have access to one of the largest faculty scholarship programs at the institution, and can get involved with the thriving student community for a memorable and life-changing university experience.