Nutrition, Nutrition Honors: Dean's Scholars Honors Program, Polymathic Scholars, and Health Science Scholars Programs (BSNtr)
Degree - Bachelor of Science in Nutrition (BSNtr)
Nutrition is an integrative science with the overall objective of improving the health and well-being of individuals and groups. Nutritional inquiry encompasses not only the roles of electrons, atoms, molecules, genes, cells, organs, and complex organisms in biological life processes but also the links between life science and health, behavior, education, population, culture, and economics.
The nutritional sciences programs require courses in science and research to prepare students for graduate study or professional school. Graduates may seek employment in private or publicly funded research programs or, upon completion of graduate study, may engage in college or university teaching or nutrition research. This program also allows students to fulfill requirements for postgraduate study in medicine, dentistry, and other health professions.
Concentration-Nutrition Honors: Dean's Scholars Honors Program, Polymathic Scholars, and Health Science Scholars Programs
The key features of the program are a first-semester research methods course; a breadth requirement, usually completed during the first four semesters, that exposes students to various forms of scientific inquiry; and at least two semesters of supervised research and writing that culminate in an honors thesis.
In addition to taking a core of research, writing, and seminar courses in the College of Natural Sciences, students consult with the departmental honors advisor to develop a coherent individual program of rigorous and challenging courses from across the University.
Admission
Application to the Dean’s Scholars Honors Program is separate from, and in addition to, application to the University. Application materials and information about deadlines are available in the program office and on the Dean's Scholars website. Students may enter the program as freshmen or as college transfers prior to their fourth long semester of enrollment at the University.
Factors in the admission decision are the student’s high school and/or University grades, class rank, the rigor of the courses the student has taken, the quality of the required application essays, a strong recommendation from a mathematics or science instructor, and the student's interest in mathematics and/or scientific research as demonstrated by extracurricular activities.
Total Hours Required: 126
Plan of Study
The Plan of Study is a suggested four-year course sequence to support academic planning and serves as a helpful guide. Currently enrolled students should meet with their academic advisor to tailor their course selections and timelines to their individual goals and circumstances.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Hours | |
| CH 301C | Foundations of Chemistry I | 3 |
| CH 104M | Introduction to Chemical Practice I | 1 |
| BIO 315H | Advanced Introduction to Genetics: Honors | 3 |
| M 408D | Sequences, Series, and Multivariable Calculus | 4 |
| RHE 306 | Rhetoric and Writing | 3 |
| First-Year Signature Course (090) approved by departmental advisor | 3 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| CH 302C | Foundations of Chemistry II | 3 |
| CH 104N | Introduction to Chemical Practice II | 1 |
| BIO 325H | Genetics: Honors | 3 |
| NTR 312H | Introduction to Nutritional Sciences: Honors | 3 |
| NTR 126L | Nutritional Sciences Laboratory | 1 |
| Visual and Performing Arts (050) | 3 | |
| NTR 312R | Research in Nutritional Sciences | 3 |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| CH 320M | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| NTR 307 | Introductory Food Science | 3 |
| NTR 107L | Introductory Food Science Laboratory | 1 |
| NTR 317L | Introduction to Nutrition Assessment and Education | 3 |
| Hours chosen from: Liberal Arts/Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Hours chosen from: Liberal Arts/Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| SDS 302F or SDS 320E |
Foundations of Data Analysis (designated for honors) or Elements of Statistics |
3 |
| PSY 301 | Introduction to Psychology (see requirements below for choices) | 3 |
| CH 320N | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| NTR 326 | Intermediate Nutrition and Metabolism | 3 |
| Humanities (040) | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| NTR 365.2 or NTR 365.4 |
Nutrition and Genes or Obesity and Metabolic Health |
3 |
| NTR 366L | Research Methods in Nutritional Sciences | 3 |
| BCH 369 | Fundamentals of Biochemistry | 3 |
| RHE 309S | Critical Reading and Persuasive Writing | 3 |
| American and Texas Government (070) | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| NTR 338H | Issues in Nutrition and Health: Honors | 3 |
| INB 446L | Human Microscopic and Gross Anatomy | 4 |
| American and Texas Government (070) | 3 | |
| NTR 355H | Honors Research | 3 |
| NTR 339L | Experimental Methods and Design in Nutritional Sciences | 3 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| NTR 355H | Honors Research | 3 |
| NTR 342 | Advanced Nutritional Sciences | 3 |
| Additional Hours chosen from: Honors-or approved biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, statistics and data sciences, or physics | 3 | |
| U.S. History (060) | 3 | |
| NTR 379H | Honors Tutorial Course | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| NTR 379H | Honors Tutorial Course | 3 |
| NTR 343 | Vitamins and Minerals | 3 |
| U.S. History (060) | 3 | |
| INB 365S | Human Systems Physiology | 3 |
| NTR 338W | Issues in Nutrition and Health | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 126 | |
Requirements
All requirements are listed below, starting with the most specialized moving to the most general. Additional requirements may follow the table, so be sure to read the entire page. Some required courses listed below may also satisfy General Education requirements, including Core Curriculum.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration | ||
| Honors Breadth Requirement (Credit earned by examination may not be counted toward this requirement) | ||
| SDS 320H | Elements of Statistics: Honors | 3 |
| Hours chosen from: Coursework from the College of Liberal Arts and/or the College of Fine Arts | 6 | |
| Hours chosen from: Coursework approved by the departmental honors advisor | 10 | |
| SDS 324E | Elements of Regression Analysis | 3 |
| Hours chosen from: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Psychology | ||
| Introduction to the Study of Society | ||
| Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Introduction to Microeconomics | ||
| Introduction to Macroeconomics | ||
| OR Choose a sequence below: | ||
Sequence 1: Non-honors | ||
| Child Development | ||
| Child Development Laboratory | ||
Sequence 2: Honors | ||
| Child Development: Honors | ||
| Child Development Laboratory | ||
| CH 320N | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| INB 446L | Human Microscopic and Gross Anatomy | 4 |
| NTR 366L | Research Methods in Nutritional Sciences | 3 |
| NTR 365 | Selected Topics in Nutritional Sciences (any topic) | 3 |
| First-Year Signature Course (090) must be approved by the departmental honors advisor | 3 | |
| NSC 109.1 | Planning Your Capstone Experience | 1 |
| or NSC 109.2 | Health Science Scholars Capstone Experience Preparation | |
| or NSC 109.4 | Polymathic Capstone Field Invention | |
| Choose a sequence below: | 6 | |
| Sequence 1: | ||
| Honors Research | ||
| Honors Tutorial Course | ||
| Sequence 2: | ||
| Natural Sciences Topics | ||
| Capstone Thesis Seminar | ||
| Subtotal | 48 | |
| Degree (see details below) | 55 | |
| Free electives: Additional coursework to reach total hours required. | 0 | |
| Subtotal | 55 | |
| General Education | ||
| Remaining Core Curriculum (42 hours total) | 23 | |
| Foreign Language other than English, Beginning Proficiency | ||
| Subtotal | 23 | |
| College Requirements - Natural Sciences | ||
| General University Requirements | ||
| Total Hours | 126 | |
Degree - Bachelor of Science in Nutrition (BSNtr)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Major | ||
| Students must complete each course with a grade of at least C- | ||
| Basic Nutrition | ||
| NTR 312 | Introduction to Nutritional Sciences | 3 |
| or NTR 312H | Introduction to Nutritional Sciences: Honors | |
| Biochemistry | ||
| NTR 126L | Nutritional Sciences Laboratory | 1 |
| NTR 326 | Intermediate Nutrition and Metabolism | 3 |
| NTR 342 | Advanced Nutritional Sciences | 3 |
| NTR 343 | Vitamins and Minerals | 3 |
| Food Science | ||
| NTR 307 | Introductory Food Science | 3 |
| NTR 107L | Introductory Food Science Laboratory | 1 |
| Nutrition Application | ||
| NTR 317L | Introduction to Nutrition Assessment and Education | 3 |
| Critical Thinking | ||
| NTR 339L | Experimental Methods and Design in Nutritional Sciences | 3 |
| NTR 338W | Issues in Nutrition and Health | 3 |
| or NTR 338H | Issues in Nutrition and Health: Honors | |
| Subtotal | 26 | |
| Degree | ||
| Biology | ||
| BIO 311C | Introductory Biology I | 3 |
| BIO 311D | Introductory Biology II | 3 |
| Choose a sequence below: | 3 | |
| Sequence 1: Non-honors | ||
| Genetics | ||
| Sequence 2: Honors | ||
| Advanced Introduction to Genetics: Honors | ||
| Genetics: Honors | ||
| INB 365S | Human Systems Physiology | 3 |
| Chemistry | ||
| Choose a sequence below: | 6 | |
| Sequence 1: Non-honors | ||
| Principles of Chemistry I | ||
| Principles of Chemistry II | ||
| Sequence 2: Honors | ||
| Foundations of Chemistry I | ||
| Foundations of Chemistry II | ||
| Choose a sequence below: | 2 | |
| Sequence 1: | ||
| Introduction to Chemical Practice I | ||
| Introduction to Chemical Practice II | ||
| Sequence 2: | ||
| Introduction to Chemical Practice | ||
| CH 320M | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| Biochemistry | ||
| BCH 369 | Fundamentals of Biochemistry | 3 |
| Statistics | ||
| SDS 302F | Foundations of Data Analysis | 3 |
| or SDS 320E | Elements of Statistics | |
| Subtotal | 29 | |
| Total Hours | 55 | |
Additional Requirements and Policy
Students must earn a grade of at least C- in each mathematics and science course required for the program, and a grade point average in these courses of at least 2.00.
Majors must complete at least 36 upper-division hours, including least 24 hours in nutrition. Majors must complete at least 21 hours in residence at the University, including at least 18 in-residence hours in nutrition.
Additional Requirements and Policy
NTR 338H Issues in Nutrition and Health: HonorsH can replace NTR 338W Issues in Nutrition and Health as a departmental foundation required course.
Students must remain in good standing with an overall grade point average of at least 3.30 and an overall grade point average of 3.50 in all nutritional sciences courses. In addition, student research must be presented in an approved public forum, such as the college's annual Undergraduate Research Forum. Students who fail to maintain the required grade point average may be subject to dismissal from the program. Under special circumstances and at the discretion of the nutritional sciences honors advisor, a student may be allowed to continue under academic review.
Special Honors in Nutrition
Majors who plan to seek special honors in nutrition should apply to the Departmental Honors Committee for admission to the honors program no later than the beginning of the senior year. The requirements for admission are a University grade point average of at least 3.00 and a grade point average of at least 3.50 in coursework in the School of Health and Human Sciences that is required for the degree. The statement “Special Honors in Nutrition” appears on the transcript of each graduate certified as having completed this honors program.
The requirements for graduation with special departmental honors are:
- all requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Nutrition;
- Nutrition 379H, Honors Tutorial Course with a grade point average of at least 3.00;
- completion of an honors thesis and an accompanying presentation, both of which must be approved by a committee consisting of the research supervisor and another faculty member;
- a University grade point average of at least 3.00;
- a major, degree, and honors grade point average of at least 3.50; and
- completion at the University of at least 60 in-residence hours of coursework counted toward the degree.