Nutritional Sciences Major

What You’ll Learn

In the nutritional sciences program, you will:

• Enhance your understanding of current issues in human nutrition, including approaches to food labeling, fad diets and the impact of modern agriculture.
• Assess community health and design programs that have the capacity to improve lives through nutritional health.
• Apply psychological, social, and behavioral principles to real-world clinical practice.
• Use scientific methods and critical thinking to evaluate nutrition and food systems.

Hands-on Learning

In the nutritional sciences program, you’ll have opportunities to put your knowledge to work in the field. In fact, 100% of nutritional sciences majors participate in at least one internship, co-op, fieldwork or practicum. Conduct independent research; explore state-of-the-art technology, like the BodPod and Precision Sweat System; or get clinical experience by snagging an internship at top institutions like Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard University Center for Genomics Research, and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Want more? You can volunteer with local community programs or get involved in Active Science, Merrimack’s social entrepreneurial venture that gets school-age kids moving through a combination of physical activities, wearable technology and STEM learning.

Career Options

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently highlighted nutritional science as one of the “best fields for new college graduates,” based on projected job creation. With your nutritional sciences degree, you’ll be prepared for a career as a school food-service director, an educator, or as a nutritionist for a public-health program, health club, sports organization, or commercial weight-loss program. Interested in an advanced degree? You’ll be ready for further study to become a registered dietician, physician, dentist, nurse, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, chiropractor, research scientist, pharmacist or professor.