Nutrition, Didactic Program in Dietetics (BSNtr)
For students pursuing careers in dietetics, courses in behavioral and clinical nutrition and food systems management provide the academic preparation required for dietetics practice. The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) meets the coursework requirements that qualify undergraduates to apply to a graduate school in preparation for a dietetic internship or a graduate program/dietetic internship, which leads to the Registered Dietitian credential.
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.
Accreditation
The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) and Integrated Coordinated Program in Dietetics (ICPD) programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), 120 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago IL 60606, (800) 877-1600.
Licensure
Completion of the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) or Integrated Coordinated Program in Dietetics (ICPD) qualifies graduates to apply for a dietetic internship or to practice as a Dietetic Technician, Registered (DTR).
Students who complete the DPD with at least four upper-division nutrition courses completed in residence will receive a verification statement that qualifies them to apply for an accredited supervised practice program. DPD graduates who complete an accredited supervised practice program and a master’s degree (as of January 1, 2024) may become active members of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and are eligible to write the examination to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.
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 301 | Principles of Chemistry I | 3 |
| CH 104M | Introduction to Chemical Practice I | 1 |
| BIO 311C | Introductory Biology I | 3 |
| SDS 302F | Foundations of Data Analysis | 3 |
| RHE 306 | Rhetoric and Writing | 3 |
| First-Year Signature Course (090) | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| CH 302 | Principles of Chemistry II | 3 |
| CH 104N | Introduction to Chemical Practice II | 1 |
| NTR 312 | Introduction to Nutritional Sciences | 3 |
| NTR 126L | Nutritional Sciences Laboratory | 1 |
| Visual and Performing Arts (050) | 3 | |
| BIO 311D | Introductory Biology II | 3 |
| PSY 301 | Introduction to Psychology (see requirements below for choices) | 3 |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| BIO 325 | Genetics | 3 |
| 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 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (080) | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| NTR 315 | Nutrition through the Life Cycle | 3 |
| NTR 326 | Intermediate Nutrition and Metabolism | 3 |
| NTR 162 | Standards, Ethics, and Credentialing for Dietetic Practice | 1 |
| NTR 330L | Advanced Nutrition Assessment and Counseling | 3 |
| SDS 324E | Elements of Regression Analysis | 3 |
| Humanities (040) | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| BCH 369 | Fundamentals of Biochemistry | 3 |
| MAN 320F | Foundations of Management and Organizational Behavior | 3 |
| NTR 334 | Foodservice Systems Management | 3 |
| NTR 234L | Laboratory in Foodservice Systems | 2 |
| NTR 339L | Experimental Methods and Design in Nutritional Sciences | 3 |
| American and Texas Government (070) | 3 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| INB 365S | Human Systems Physiology | 3 |
| NTR 342 | Advanced Nutritional Sciences | 3 |
| NTR 370 | Medical Nutrition Therapy I | 3 |
| U.S. History (060) | 3 | |
| American and Texas Government (070) | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| NTR 343 | Vitamins and Minerals | 3 |
| Hours chosen from: NTR Research | 3 | |
| NTR 371 | Medical Nutrition Therapy II | 3 |
| U.S. History (060) | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 2 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| NTR 332 | Community Nutrition | 3 |
| Hours chosen from: NTR Research | 3 | |
| NTR 338W | Issues in Nutrition and Health | 3 |
| U.S. History (060) | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 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 | ||
| 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: | ||
| Child Development | ||
| Child Development Laboratory | ||
Sequence 2: | ||
| Child Development: Honors | ||
| Child Development Laboratory | ||
| SDS 324E | Elements of Regression Analysis | 3 |
| or SDS 320E | Elements of Statistics | |
| MAN 320F | Foundations of Management and Organizational Behavior | 3 |
| Behavioral and Clinical Nutrition | ||
| NTR 315 | Nutrition through the Life Cycle | 3 |
| NTR 330L | Advanced Nutrition Assessment and Counseling | 3 |
| NTR 332 | Community Nutrition | 3 |
| NTR 370 | Medical Nutrition Therapy I | 3 |
| NTR 371 | Medical Nutrition Therapy II | 3 |
| Food Systems Management | ||
| NTR 334 | Foodservice Systems Management | 3 |
| NTR 234L | Laboratory in Foodservice Systems | 2 |
| Research | ||
| Choose a sequence below: | 6 | |
| Sequence 1 | ||
| Selected Topics in Nutritional Sciences | ||
| Experiential Learning in Community Engagement | ||
| Sequence 2 | ||
| Advanced Food Science Laboratory (taken twice) | ||
Hours chosen from: | ||
| Field Experience in International Nutrition | ||
| Undergraduate Research in Nutrition | ||
| Honors Research | ||
| Honors Tutorial Course | ||
| Selected Topics in Nutritional Sciences | ||
| Professional Development: | ||
| NTR 162 | Standards, Ethics, and Credentialing for Dietetic Practice | 1 |
| Subtotal | 36 | |
| Degree (see details below) | 55 | |
| Free electives: Additional coursework to reach total hours required. | 12 | |
| Subtotal | 67 | |
| 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.