The field of nutritional sciences draws upon several disciplines, including biological sciences, to understand the relationships between food, nutrients, and human health. The concentration in Human Nutrition offers biology majors courses concerned with the nature and biochemical function of essential and non-essential nutrients, nutrient requirements, the role of nutrients in gene expression, and the role of diet in both risk of chronic disease and treatment of existing disease states. Students in the concentration will:

1. Demonstrate core knowledge of metabolism and function of the essential nutrients
2. Demonstrate breadth in biological aspects of nutrition beyond the core

Students completing the concentration in Human Nutrition most often choose to continue their education in medical or graduate school, and pursue careers in the applied aspects of nutrition or in laboratory-based or epidemiological research.

In addition to the requirements of the Biological Sciences major, the Human Nutrition concentration requires one core course, NS 3310 Human Nutrition and Nutrient Metabolism (Spring, 4 cr), as well as at least 9 credits selected from a list of didactic NS courses related to the nature and biochemical function of essential and non-essential nutrients, nutrient requirements, the role of nutrients in gene expression, and the role of diet in both risk of chronic disease and treatment of existing disease states.

Students in this concentration are encouraged to complete a diverse set of advanced courses that afford a perspective on current knowledge of nutrient requirements and function and how this knowledge can be put to use. Faculty advisors work with individual students to develop a curriculum that fits the students’ interests. As part of their program, students are encouraged to obtain laboratory experience either through coursework or research (see Undergraduate Research). Faculty in Nutritional Sciences are engaged in a wide variety of research activities, including nutritional regulation of gene expression, nutrient function, and regulation of nutritional status, employing diverse approaches such as cell culture, animal experimentation, and human metabolism.

Human Nutrition is one of many concentrations available to Biological Sciences majors at Cornell.

The information on this page pertains ONLY to the requirements of the Human Nutrition concentration, not to the requirements of the Biological Sciences major. For information about the requirements of the Biological Sciences major and other concentrations, see the Biological Sciences Major Requirements page and/or contact the Office of Undergraduate Biology (216 Stimson Hall, bioadvising@cornell.edu).

1. Core Course (4 credits)
    NS 3310 Human Nutrition and Nutrient Metabolism (Spring, 4 cr)

2. Electives (9+ credits)

• NS 3060 Nutrition and Global Health (3 cr)
• NS 3150 Obesity and the Regulation of Body Weight (3 cr)
• NS 3320 Methods in Nutritional Sciences (cr; enrollment restricted – priority to NS majors and Dietetics students)
• NS 3410 Human Anatomy and Physiology (4 cr)
• NS 3420 Human Anatomy and Physiology Lab (2 cr)
• NS 3450 Introduction to Physiochemical and Biological Aspects of Foods (3 cr)
• NS 4200 Diet and the Microbiome (3 cr)
• NS 4300 Proteins, Transcripts, and Metabolism: Big Data in Molecular Nutrition (3 cr)
• NS 4410 Nutrition and Disease (4 cr)
• NS 6310 Micronutrients: Function, Homeostasis and Assessment (2-4 cr)
• NS 6320 Regulation of Macronutrient Metabolism (4 cr)

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Biological Sciences students may pursue a second major in their home College if permitted and supported by both departments. However, students in the Human Nutrition concentration of the Biological Sciences major in CALS may not also major in Nutritional Sciences. To double major in Biological Sciences and Nutritional Sciences, students must choose a different Biological Sciences concentration.

Course eligibility to fulfill Human Nutrition concentration

• Only courses on the list above may be used.
• Students must pass (D- or higher) a course for it to count toward the requirement.
• Independent study credits (e.g. NS 4010) may not be used toward the 13 credit minimum.

College credits

• For Arts and Sciences students, NS credits count towards the 100 hours required in A&S IF those credits fulfill major requirements.

Biological Sciences students may pursue a second major in their home College if permitted and supported by both departments. However, students in the Human Nutrition concentration of the Biological Sciences major in CALS may not also major in Nutritional Sciences. To double major in Biological Sciences and Nutritional Sciences, students must choose a different Biological Sciences concentration.

Biological Sciences major in the Human Nutrition concentration requirements checklist downloadable form, provided by the Office of Undergraduate Biology