NUTRITION AND MEDICAL SCIENCES
About the program
The Nutrition and Medical Sciences major is a great fit for students interested in health-related clinical, scientific, or research careers such as Pre-Med, Pre-PA, Pre-Dental, Pre-OT, Pre-PT or other professional pathways. The coursework builds a strong science foundation in biology, physiology, and chemistry while also educating students in metabolism, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and diet and disease relationships.
Why major in Nutrition and Medical Sciences?
The integration of science and nutrition through the Nutrition and Medical Sciences major successfully prepares students to find employment immediately in related scientific, pharmaceutical fields, or industry or pursue an advanced degree in nutrition, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physical therapy, occupational therapy or other related health professions.
Our students have been extremely successful in pursuit of their educational and career goals - meet some nutrition majors! Want to hear from some Nutrition and Medical Sciences students? View interviews with recent graduates Jon Martin, Olivia Jordan, and Jae Jong.
Additionally, the Department of Health Behavior and Nutrition Sciences offers majors in Nutrition and Dietetics and Nutrition. The option to combine the Nutrition and Medical Sciences and the Nutrition and Dietetics major is available to students who are interested in having the option to apply to medical, dental, PA, or other health professional/graduate school or apply to a dietetic internship.
What Makes Our Program Unique?
The coursework integrates science and nutrition by building a strong foundation in biology, physiology, and chemistry while also educating students in metabolism, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and complex diet and disease relationships. With guided mentoring, students can easily achieve all of the necessary prerequisite requirements for admission into medical, dental and other pre-professional schools and be prepared to take applicable entrance exams.
Nutrition and Medical Sciences majors interested in pursuing post-undergraduate programs work with a department advisor and the Center for Health Professions Studies to map their coursework and experiential learning for admission to medical, dental, pharmacy, PA, OT and PT schools.
For students whose goal is to attend Medical School should visit UD’s Pre-Med website for more information. Students on this path are evaluated by the Health Science Advisement and Evaluation Committee (HSAEC), which provides a University of Delaware recommendation to medical institutions of the student’s choosing.
The Nutrition and Medical Sciences major provides students with numerous opportunities to gain healthcare or clinically-related experiential learning and volunteer opportunities in a variety of settings.
Career Opportunities and Graduate Paths for Nutrition and Medical Sciences Major Graduates
The BS in Nutrition and Medical Sciences degree includes course offerings which include Nutrition and Gastroenterology, Medical Nutrition Therapy, and Culinary Medicine, which can be helpful preparation for those interested in pursuing medical specialties in gastroenterology & nutrition, lifestyle medicine, integrative health or Board Certification in Nutrition.
- Employment: upon graduation, students with a BS in Nutrition and Medical Sciences may find work immediately in related scientific and pharmaceutical fields, the food industry, academia, research, public health or public policy
- Continuing Graduate Education: students with a BS in Nutrition and Medical Sciences may decide to pursue additional higher education:
- Graduate school
- Medical school
- Physician Assistant Program
- Dental school
- PharmD program
- Occupational Therapy program
- Physical Therapy program
- Accelerated Nursing program
- Genetic counseling program
Curriculum
The Nutrition and Medical Sciences curriculum is designed to allow students to take all of the necessary prerequisite courses for admission into their chosen pre-health profession or graduate education pathway and prepare for entrance exams, while obtaining a strong background in nutrition science.
To earn a Bachelor of Science degree, students must complete a minimum of 120 credits and meet specific requirements as outlined in the University of Delaware Catalog. The average number of credits per semester ranges from 14-17 credits; winter and summer sessions can help to lighten the load of regular semesters.
In addition to working directly with their Advisor, students can access the Center for Health Profession Studies for further advice and peer mentorship.
Students considering careers in medicine may also be interested in the 4+4 Medical Scholars Program.
Nutrition double major embodies healthy lifestyle at UD: youtube.com/watch?v=8u0L_ELp5kA