Overview
Nutrition is the study of how nutrients and food components influence growth, metabolism, health, and disease and also includes human behavior as it relates to food choices and dietary patterns. Nutrition is a multi-faceted and cross-disciplinary field, encompassing chemistry, biology, physiology, psychology, and public health. Nutrition scientists work to develop, extend, and apply all aspects of nutrition through research to improve clinical practice and public health.
The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Nutrition program mission is to provide undergraduates with an in-depth understanding of the scientific aspects of food and nutrition. The program provides student with a comprehensive foundation in nutrition and lays the groundwork for integrating nutrition across disciplines. The program consists of a common set of core nutrition courses, while also providing students with opportunity to tailor their coursework towards pursuing future schooling and careers in dietetics, medicine and the health sciences, public health nutrition, and nutrition policy.
Students have the option to pursue the following four curriculums within the BS in Nutrition program:
- BS in Nutrition, no concentration
- BS in Nutrition, Nutrition Science concentration
- BS in Nutrition, Pre-Medical Professional concentration
- BS in Nutrition, Applied Nutrition concentration
Join T.E.A.M Milken! T.E.A.M. Milken is open to all GWSPH undergraduate majors. Our goal is to provide individualized support to students so you will thrive at GW and be prepared to launch your public health career.
Curriculum
Per GW policy, undergraduate students may not take courses online during the fall or spring semesters.
University General Education Requirements - all concentrations
University Writing: UW 1020-University Writing or HONR 1015 (4 credits)
WID: Two WID courses (may also be counted in another category) (6 credits)
Humanities: One course in Humanities (3 credits)
Math/Stats: One course in Mathematics or Statistics (3 credits)
Science: One Natural or Physical Science Course with Laboratory (4 credits)
Social Science: Two courses in the Social Sciences (6 credits)
* Note some classes will double count: for GenEd and Nutrition Science Core requirements.
GenEd TOTAL 26 credits
See the University Bulletin for most up-to-date version of GenEd requirements and approved courses: GenEd's Here
Nutrition Core Courses - all concentrations
This course fulfills a General Education requirement and is counted in GenEd.
NUTRITION CORE TOTAL: 34 credits
Exercise and Nutrition Science Department Course Descriptions
Nutrition Guided Electives
General Electives
General electives can also be chosen from the Guided Elective list, or any other undergraduate course at the University, except LSPA designated courses.
For the most up to date list of program courses and program requirements, please reference the program guide or click the button below for course descriptions. The Concentration tab on this page outlines the requirements for each concentration.
GENERAL ELECTIVES TOTAL: VARIES
Non-Academic Requirements
Professional Enhancement
Students in GW SPH programs must participate in eight hours of Professional Enhancement. These activities may be Public Health-related lectures, seminars, or symposia related to your field of study.
Professional Enhancement activities supplement the rigorous academic curriculum of the SPH degree programs and help prepare students to participate actively in the professional community. You can learn more about opportunities for Professional Enhancement via the Milken Institute School of Public Health Listserv, through departmental communications, or by speaking with your advisor.
Students submit a completed Professional Enhancement Form to the Office of Student Records which is required documentation to be cleared for graduation.
Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Training
All students are required to complete the Basic CITI training module in Social and Behavioral Research. This online training module for Social and Behavioral Researchers will help new students demonstrate and maintain sufficient knowledge of the ethical principles and regulatory requirements for protecting human subjects - key for any public health research.
Academic Integrity Quiz
All Milken Institute School of Public Health students are required to review the University’s Code of Academic Integrity and complete the GW Academic Integrity Activity. This activity must be completed within 2 weeks of matriculation. Information on GWSPH Academic Integrity requirements can be found here.
Past Program Guides
Concentrations
BS Nutrition - no concentration
Students majoring in nutrition and who do not declare a concentration must fulfill the following graduation requirements.
26 credits | General Education Requirements
34 credits | BS in Nutrition Core Curriculum
18 credits | Nutrition Guided Electives
42 credits | General Electives
120 CREDITS | TOTAL BS NUTRITION, NO CONCENTRATION
Nutrition Science Concentration
Concentration Requirements
BISC 1112 | Intro Biology: Biology of Organisms (4 credits)
CHEM 1111 | General Chemistry I (4 credits)
CHEM 1112 | General Chemistry II (4 credits)
CHEM 2151 | Organic Chemistry I (3 credits)
CHEM 2153 | Organic Chemistry I Lab (1 credit)
CHEM 2152 | Organic Chemistry II (3 credits)
CHEM 2154 | Organic Chemistry II Lab (1 credit)
BISC 3165 or CHEM 3165 | Biochemistry (3 credits)
EXNS 4199 | Metabolism in Exercise and Nutrition Sciences (3 credits)
BISC 2336 | Introduction to Microbiology (3 credits)
BISC 2337 | Introduction to Microbiology Lab (1 credit)
CONCENTRATION TOTAL: 30 CREDITS
26 credits | General Education Requirements
34 credits | BS in Nutrition Core Curriculum
30 credits | Nutrition Science Concentration Courses
12 credits | Nutrition Guided Electives
18 credits | General Electives
120 CREDITS | NUTRITION SCIENCE CONCENTRATION TOTAL
Pre-Medical Professional (PMP) Concentration
Concentration Requirements
BISC 1112 | Intro Biology: Biology of Organisms (4 credits)
CHEM 1111 | General Chemistry I (4 credits)
CHEM 1112 | General Chemistry II (4 credits)
CHEM 2151 | Organic Chemistry I (3 credits)
CHEM 2153 | Organic Chemistry I Lab (1 credit)
MATH ≥ 1220 | Calculus with Precalculus 3 (or higher-level MATH) (3 credits)
CHEM 2152 | Organic Chemistry II (3 credits)
CHEM 2154 | Organic Chemistry II Lab (1 credit)
BISC 3165 or CHEM 3165 | Biochemistry (3 credits)
PHYS 1011 | General Physics 1 (4 credits)
PHYS 1012 | General Physics 2 (4 credits)
EXNS 1113 | Medical Terminology (3 credits)
CONCENTRATION TOTAL: 37 CREDITS
See Advising Notes for Pre-Medical Professional (PMP) Concentration in the program guide. Note: Students following the PMP concentration must consult with the University Pre-Health advising team (https://prehealth.gwu.edu/) regarding pre-health expectations and procedures.
26 credits | General Education Requirements
34 credits | BS in Nutrition Core Curriculum
37 credits | Pre-Medical Professional Concentration Courses
5 credits | Nutrition Guided Electives
18 credits | General Electives
120 CREDITS | TOTAL PRE-MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL CONCENTRATION
Applied Nutrition Concentration
Concentration Requirements
EXNS 1114 | Community Nutrition (3 credits)
EXNS 2126W | International Nutrition (3 credits)
EXNS 2122 | Food System in Public Health (3 credits)
EXNS 2127 | Introduction to Food Policy (3 credits)
PUBH 2112 | Principles of Health Education/Promotion (3 credits)
PUBH 3131 | Introduction to Epidemiology: Measuring Health and Disease (3 credits)
CONCENTRATION TOTAL: 18 CREDITS
26 credits | General Education Requirements
34 credits | BS in Nutrition Core Curriculum
18 credits | Applied Nutrition Concentration Courses
18 credits | Nutrition Guided Electives
24 credits | General Electives
120 CREDITS | TOTAL APPLIED NUTRITION CONCENTRATION
BS/MPH
GWSPH offers a unique opportunity to outstanding students each year to enroll in the combined Bachelor of Science (BS) in Nutrition/Master of Public Health (MPH) program.
This dual degree program strives to produce graduates who are leaders in the application of nutrition to public health practice. This is an appropriate program for pre-professional students who are interested in sub-disciplines such as nutrition epidemiology, behavioral nutrition, community nutrition, international nutrition, and nutrition policy, as well as any student interested in a career in public health.
As an incentive to move beyond the traditional undergraduate curriculum, Milken Institute SPH offers participant's admission to the MPH program without having to sit for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). In addition, students can complete both the BS and MPH degrees more efficiently and at a lower cost than had the degrees been completed separately. The BS/MPH program is a multi-level, dual-degree program, meaning that students are concurrently enrolled in one undergraduate program and one graduate program. The degrees will be awarded in different semesters. Applicants may apply to the MPH in Public Health Nutrition or any of the other MPH programs.
- BS, Nutrition / MPH, Public Health Nutrition
- BS, Nutrition / MPH, any other MPH program
Program Guides
Careers
Students completing an undergraduate degree in Nutrition are employed in a variety of settings and many pursue advanced degrees.
Graduates of the program may work in areas including:
- federal agencies (e.g. USDA, FDA, NIH, CDC, etc.)
- worksite wellness and health promotion
- management of nutrition interventions and research studies
- food and nutraceutical industry positions
- trade associations related to food and nutrition
- non-profit organizations
- nutrition advocacy groups
- international organizations
Many nutrition majors will also pursue masters and/or doctoral degrees in nutrition, dietetics, or public health nutrition. Advanced degree opportunities for BS Nutrition graduates include pursuing post-baccalaureate schooling in medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, dietetics, nursing, physician assistant and/or pursuing doctoral work in nutrition, public health, biochemistry, food technology, and related disciplines.
Faculty
Primary faculty from the Exercise and Nutrition Science Department teaching and advising students in this undergraduate program include:
Dr. Allison Sylvetsky, Program Director