The BSc (NutrSc) Nutrition Major is a 90-credit undergraduate degree. At its core, it deals with how diet and nutrition affect human health and disease risk. It offers you exciting opportunities to specialize in one of 5 concentrations, to incorporate research experience, travel for field studies, or a Minor in your program. It does not lead to professional licensure as a Dietitian/Nutritionist. However, it is excellent preparation for many careers including medical school, veterinary school and other professional schools, for graduate school, or for work in the food, pharma or other industry, government or NGO, or global health organizations.
NUTRITION MAJOR PRESENTATION
Concentrations
The BSC (NutrSc) offers you the possibilty to specialize in one of four concentrations:
Food Function and Safety
This concentration covers many aspects of human nutrition and the impact of food on health. It offers a core emphasis on the scientific fundamentals of nutrition and metabolism throughout the lifespan. The specialization on food ranges from health effects of phytochemicals and food toxicants, food chemistry and analysis, food safety, product development and influence of constituents of food on health. Graduates are qualified for careers in pharmaceutical and/or food industries, government laboratories, the health science communications field, and national or international food support programs. Graduates often continue on to graduate studies preparing for careers in food science, research, medicine, and dentistry or as specialists in nutrition.
Global Nutrition
This concentration covers many aspects of human nutrition and food and their impact health and society at the community, and international level. It offers a core emphasis on the scientific fundamentals of nutrition and metabolism throughout the lifespan. The specialization in global nutrition emphasizes the importance of the interaction of nutrition, diet, water, environment and infection. Graduates are qualified for careers in national and international governmental and non-governmental food and health agencies, in world development programs, in the food sector, and the health science communications field. Graduates often continue on to graduate studies preparing for careers in public health, epidemiology, research, medicine, and dentistry or as specialists in nutrition.
Sports Nutrition
This concentration covers many aspects of human nutrition and physical activity on health. It offers a core emphasis on the scientific fundamentals of nutrition, metabolism and physiology throughout the lifespan. This specialization integrates the influence of exercise, and physical activity on health and chronic disease prevention. Graduates are qualified for careers in pharmaceutical and/or food industries, government laboratories, the health science communications field, and national or international food support programs. Graduates often continue on to graduate studies preparing for careers in research, education, medicine, and dentistry or as specialists in nutrition.
Metabolism, Health and Disease
This Major offers a core emphasis on the scientific fundamentals of nutrition and metabolism throughout the lifespan from the molecular to the organismal level. This concentration emphasizes the influence of diet and nutrition on human health and the pathophysiology of inherited and acquired chronic disease. The links of nutrigenomics, nutrigenetics, and biotechnology with human health and regulation of metabolism are explored.
Courses by semester
Download the appropriate course sheet for term-by-term course lists and complementary and elective courses:
Nutrition Major Advising Sheet 2022 (for students starting Fall 2022 or after)
Nutrition Major Advising Sheet (for students starting prior to Fall 2022)
Food Function and Safety
Bachelor of Science (Nutritional Sciences) (B.Sc.(Nutr.Sc.)) - Major Nutrition - Food Function and Safety(90 Credits)
Program Requirement:
This Major offers a core emphasis on the scientific fundamentals of nutrition and metabolism throughout the lifespan from the molecular to the organismal level. The concentration in food function and safety covers the ranges from health effects of phytochemicals and food toxicants, food chemistry and analysis, food safety, product development and influence of constituents of food on health. This degree does not lead to professional licensure as a Dietitian/Nutritionist. Graduates are qualified for careers in the biotechnology field, pharmaceutical and/or food industries, government laboratories, and the health science communications field. Graduates often continue on to graduate studies preparing for careers in research, medicine, and dentistry or as specialists in nutrition.
Refer to "Faculty Information and Regulations" > "Minimum Credit Requirements", in this eCalendar for prerequisites and minimum credit requirements.
For information on academic advising, see: http://www.mcgill.ca/macdonald/studentinfo/advising
Required Courses (63 credits)
All required courses must be passed with a minimum grade of C.
Complementary Courses (12 credits)
12 credits of complementary courses are selected as follows:
Common Complementary Courses
6 credits from the following courses:
6 credits from the following courses:
Elective Courses (15 credits)
15 credits of electives are taken to meet the minimum credit requirement for the degree. Reciprocal agreement allows all students to take a limited number of electives at any Quebec university. With prior approval students can take electives at any Canadian or international university.
Global Nutrition
Bachelor of Science (Nutritional Sciences) (B.Sc.(Nutr.Sc.)) - Major Nutrition - Global Nutrition(90 Credits)
Program Requirement:
This Major covers many aspects of human nutrition and food and their impact on health and society at the community and international level. It offers a core emphasis on the scientific fundamentals of nutrition and metabolism throughout the lifespan. The specialization in global nutrition emphasizes the importance of the interaction of nutrition, diet, water, environment, and infection. This degree does not lead to professional licensure as a Dietitian/Nutritionist. Graduates are qualified for careers in national and international governmental and non-governmental food and health agencies, in world development programs, in the food sector, and the health science communications field. Graduates often continue on to graduate studies preparing for careers in public health, epidemiology, research, medicine, and dentistry or as specialists in nutrition.
Please refer to "Faculty Information and Regulations" > "Minimum Credit Requirements" in this eCalendar for prerequisites and minimum credit requirements.
For information on academic advising, see: http://www.mcgill.ca/macdonald/studentinfo/advising
Required Courses (63 credits)
All required courses must be passed with a minimum grade of C.
Complementary Courses (12 credits)
12 credits of complementary courses are selected as follows:
Common Complementary Courses
6 credits selected from:
6 credits selected from:
Elective Courses (15 credits)
15 credits of Electives are taken to meet the minimum credit requirement for the degree. Reciprocal agreement allows all students to take a limited number of electives at any Quebec university. With prior approval students can take electives at any Canadian or international university.
Sports Nutrition
Bachelor of Science (Nutritional Sciences) (B.Sc.(Nutr.Sc.)) - Major Nutrition - Sports Nutrition(90 Credits)
Program Requirement:
This Major offers a core emphasis on the scientific fundamentals of nutrition and metabolism throughout the lifespan from the molecular to the organismal level. The concentration in sports nutrition integrates the influence of exercise and physical activity on health and chronic disease prevention. This degree does not lead to professional licensure as a Dietitian/Nutritionist. Graduates are qualified for careers in the biotechnology field, pharmaceutical and/or food industries, government laboratories, and the health science communications field. Graduates often continue on to graduate studies preparing for careers in research, medicine, and dentistry or as specialists in nutrition.
Refer to "Faculty Information and Regulations" > "Minimum Credit Requirements", in this eCalendar for prerequisites and minimum credit requirements.
For information on academic advising, see: http://www.mcgill.ca/macdonald/studentinfo/advising
Required Courses (63 credits)
All required courses must be passed with a minimum grade of C.
Complementary Courses (12 credits)
12 credits of complementary courses are selected as follows:
Common Complementary Courses
6 credits from the following:
6 credits from:
Elective Courses (15 credits)
15 credits of electives are taken to meet the minimum credit requirement for the degree. Reciprocal agreement allows all students to take a limited number of electives at any Quebec university. With prior approval, students can take electives at any Canadian or international university.
Nutritional Biochemistry
Bachelor of Science (Nutritional Sciences) (B.Sc.(Nutr.Sc.)) - Major Nutrition - Nutritional Biochemistry(90 Credits)
Program Requirement:
This Major offers a core emphasis on the scientific fundamentals of nutrition and metabolism throughout the lifespan from the molecular to the organismal level. This concentration in nutritional biochemistry links nutrigenomics, nutrigenetics, and biotechnology with human health, regulation of metabolism, and the pathophysiology of inherited and chronic disease. This degree does not lead to professional licensure as a dietitian/nutritionist. Graduates are qualified for careers in the biotechnology field, pharmaceutical and/or food industries, government laboratories, and the health science communications field. Graduates often continue on to graduate studies preparing for careers in research, medicine, and dentistry or as specialists in nutrition.
Refer to "Faculty Information and Regulations" > "Minimum Credit Requirements," in this eCalendar for prerequisites and minimum credit requirements.
For information on academic advising, see: http://www.mcgill.ca/macdonald/studentinfo/advising
Required Courses (60 credits)
All required courses must be passed with a minimum grade of C.
Complementary Courses (15 credits)
15 credits of complementary courses are selected as follows:
Common Complementary Courses
At least 6 credits from the following:
At least 9 credits from the following courses:
* Note: Students take either PARA 438 or MIMM 314
Elective Courses (15 credits)
15 credits of electives are taken to meet the minimum credit requirement for the degree. A reciprocal agreement allows all students to take a limited number of electives at any Quebec university. With prior approval students can take electives at any Canadian or international university.
Health and Disease
Program Requirement:
Research Experience
There are a few ways to obtain research experience. The first 2 involve matching your interests to a SHN Professor's research area. Professors may or may not need assistance at a particular time. You should always have a professional curriculum vitae ready so that when opportunities arise, you can demonstrate your qualifications. The first way to get research experience is to get a scholarship to work with a stipend as part of a Professor’s research group over the summer.
The most common scholarship is the NSERC Undergraduate Summer Research Award; this award is highly competitive and requires a CGPA of at least 3.7. You should investigate how to match up with a Professor’s research program at the beginning of U2 winter term. For more information concerning this award, please contact Dr. Daiva Nielsen at daiva.nielsen [at] mcgill.ca.
The second way is to get complementary course credit through a Directed Studies-NUTR 430 3-credit course. This involves a 135-hour unpaid commitment over a term (fall, winter or summer) starting in U2W. The Professor and yourself will write a contract detailing the work to be done and the performance criteria to receive a grade in the course. This final year course involves initiative on your part and is dependent on the supervisor’s research needs.
If you are serious about completing a Directed Studies-NUTR 430 course, please fill out the Application Form and send the form with your curriculum vitae to christine.gurekian [at] mcgill.ca. It will then be sent out to SHN Professors.
Another way to obtain research experience is to complete a full-time Internship in the summer through the McEwen Family Internship Program. This can be taken as a 3 credit course as FAES 300- Internship 2. For more information, contact kendra.gray [at] mcgill.ca.
Minors
Minor programs that synergize with Nutrition include:
Field Studies Minor
Field Studies - Minor Field Studies(18 Credits)
Program Requirement:
Students participating in any one of the field study semesters, i.e., the Africa Field Study Semester, the Barbados Field Study Semester, the Barbados Interdisciplinary Tropical Studies (BITS) Field Study Semester, McGill Arctic Field Study Semester, or the Panama Field Study Semester may complete the 18-credit Minor in Field Studies.
The Minor consists of the 15 credits of a field study semester plus three additional complementary credits chosen by the student in consultation with their departmental adviser and/or the Field Study Minor adviser.
For students in the B.Sc. Liberal Program, the Field Studies Minor can serve as the breadth component.
Program descriptions for each of the field study semesters are provided below.
Note: The field study semesters are not degree programs. Credits may be counted toward McGill degrees with the permission of program advisers. Students who complete a field study semester may consult the Field Study Minor adviser about completing the Minor program as part of their McGill degree.
Africa Field Study Semester (15 credits)
The Africa Field Study Semester (AFSS) is run through McGill's Canadian Field Study in Africa Program (CFSIA).
The AFSS provides one term of integrated field study in East Africa, with emphasis on environmental conservation, culture change, and sustainable development. Students investigate challenges of sustaining biological diversity and social justice in African environments subject to cultural change, economic development, and environmental stress. Cultural and ecological variation is examined in highland, montane, rangeland, desert, riverine, salt- and fresh-water lake, coastal, and urban settings.
Africa Field Study Semester - Required Courses
6 credits
Students select one course titled "Research in Society and Development in Africa" and one course titled "Research in Ecology and Development in Africa" from the courses below.
Africa Field Study Semester - Complementary Courses
9 credits from:
* Note: Courses marked with an asterisk ("*") are offered on a rotational basis, at least 3 credits annually.
Barbados Field Study Semester (15 credits)
The Barbados Field Study Semester (BFSS) offers a unique opportunity to study at McGill University’s campus in the tropics, the Bellairs Research Institute in Barbados. The focus of this field study semester is the study of sustainability science, with emphasis on the Caribbean, which includes: a different climate and culture, field research, and conducting an applied research project. Project work is conducted with local partners and focuses on sustainability in Barbados.
Barbados Field Study Semester - Required Courses
15 credits
Barbados Interdisciplinary Tropical Studies Field Semester (15 credits)
The Barbados Interdisciplinary Tropical Studies (BITS) Field Semester is an activity-filled, hands-on experience for students with an interest in international studies with a Caribbean flavour. The focus is on sustainable agri-food, nutrition, and energy production on a tropical island with a tourist-based economy. It is offered annually (in the Summer). It consists of two 2-hour orientation sessions conducted on the Macdonald campus and at the Bellairs Research Institute in Barbados, followed by three 3-credit and one 6-credit project courses at Bellairs Research Institute. This program integrates intensive course work with group project work and contributes to the formation of professionals with planning, managing, decision-making, and communication skills. The program addresses a global need for experienced professionals capable of interacting with various levels of government, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector. BITS welcomes applications from senior undergraduate students from across the University.
Barbados Interdisciplinary Tropical Studies Field Semester - Required Courses
15 credits
Panama Field Study Semester (15 credits)
This program is offered in Panama with the support of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI).
Hands-on experience is gained through research projects organized around multidisciplinary environmental issues. The nature of these projects will centre on practical environmental problems/questions important for Panama. Students will form teams that will work with Panamanian institutions (NGO, governmental, or research).
There is a one- or two-day period of transition and 13 weeks of course attendance in Panama. Field trips will be integrated into each of the courses offered.
Panama Field Study Semester - Required Courses
9 credits
Panama Field Study Semester - Complementary Courses
6 credits
Complementary courses change from year to year. Students will register for the 6 credits offered the Winter of their participation in the field study semester.
First Winter semester complementary courses:
Second Winter semester complementary courses:
McGill Arctic Field Study Semester
Required Courses (15 credits)
9 credits
and 6 credits from
Minor Field Studies - Complementary Course
In consultation with their departmental adviser and/or the Field Study Minor adviser, students who have completed one of the field study semesters described above may select a 3-credit complementary course to complete the requirements for the Minor and ask for it to be added to their academic records.
Psychology Minor
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Minor Psychology(24 Credits)
Program Requirement:
A minor program in Psychology is available to students registered in any B.Sc. program other than Psychology. This program is intended to complement a student's primary field of study by providing a focused introduction to specialized topics in psychology.
A separate minor concentration exists for students registered in a program in the Faculty of Arts.
The Minor program for Science students requires the completion of 24 credits in Psychology, of which no more than 6 may overlap with the primary program. All courses in the Minor program must be passed with a minimum grade of C. A prerequisite to the program is PSYC 204 or equivalent.
Program Prerequisite (0-3)
Students planning to enter the Minor Psychology program are required to complete PSYC 204 Introduction to Psychological Statistics (3 credits) * or equivalent.
*Note: CEGEP students may not take PSYC 204 if they have completed Probability & Statistics or Statistics with a minimum grade of 75%.
Complementary Courses (24 credits)
3 or 6 credits selected from the following:
18 or 21 credits selected from Psychology courses at the 300 level or above.
International Agriculture Minor
Bachelor of Science (Agricultural and Environmental Sciences) (B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.)) - Minor International Agriculture(24 Credits)
Program Requirement:
Students enter this minor to acquire a global and applied understanding of agriculture as a fundamental tool to help rural development, alleviate poverty and reach food security, especially in the developing world. This program provides students with a combination of coursework at McGill together with a hands-on experience in a developing country, meeting locals and attending courses with McGill professors and/or local instructors. The costs of these field experiences may vary. The field experience (semester, short course or internship) includes developing projects in local communities, observing subsistence agriculture in situ and participating in various activities which contribute to sensitizing the students to the challenges that developing countries face. Students study water resources, sustainable development, nutrition, planning and development, and a host of other fascinating topics, allowing them to sharpen their skills for future career opportunities.
For information on academic advising, see: http://www.mcgill.ca/macdonald/studentinfo/advising
Required Courses (6 credits)
Complementary Courses (18 credits)
Students select 18 credits from either Option A or Option B
Option A
18 credits from the following:
Option B
15 credits from any of the McGill Field Study Semesters:
African Field Study Semester
Barbados Field Study Semester
Barbados Interdisciplinary Tropical Studies Field Semester
Panama Field Study Semester
Plus 3 credits from the list in Option A
Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Minor
Bachelor of Science (Agricultural and Environmental Sciences) (B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.)) - Minor Agribusiness Entrepreneurship(18 Credits)
Program Requirement:
This Minor is a collaboration by the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and the Desautels Faculty of Management. It provides students with an understanding of how to conceptualize, develop, and manage successful ventures in the agricultural, ag-tech, bioresource engineering, environmental, and food sectors - including for-profit private companies and social enterprises - and how to champion intrapreneurship activities in larger organizations. The program covers the essentials of management and is interdisciplinary and integrative. Many courses include a diverse set of students from multiple McGill faculties.
Within this Minor, 18 credits must be unique (only count for the Minor and do not overlap with the Major or Specialization), except for students enrolled in programs with more than 72 credits of required and complementary courses, who can count up to 6 credits of courses in the Major or Specialization.
Students in this Minor are not permitted to take the Desautels Minors in Management, Marketing, Finance or Operations Management (for non-Management students).
Minimum requirements: U2 or above; minimum 3.0 CGPA. This Minor has limited enrolment. Students should contact the program director to apply.
Required Courses (12 credits)
Complementary Courses (6 credits)
6 credits from the following:
* Note: To be counted towards the Minor in Agribusiness Entrepreneurship, the placement in FAES 300 must be approved by the program coordinator as having entrepreneurial focus.
Kinesiology Minor
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Minor Kinesiology(24 Credits)
Program Requirement:
The Minor Kinesiology is designed to provide students in B.Sc. programs with basic but comprehensive knowledge of scientific bases of human physical activity and its relationship with health and well-being.
Students registered in the Minor Kinesiology may not take additional courses outside the Faculties of Arts and of Science.
This minor program requires an application due to limited enrolment space. Please see http://www.mcgill.ca/isa/faculty-advising/minor-programs for procedures and deadlines.
Required Courses (15 credits)
Complementary Courses (9 credits)
9 credits, three of the following courses:
Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Minor
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Minor Interdisciplinary Life Sciences(24 Credits)
Program Requirement:
The Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Minor will allow students from the earth, physical, math, and computational science areas to broaden their studies with some basic life sciences, health social science, and empirical technological science. The Minor is 24 credits and allows students flexibility in their course selections. Students must take 9 credits from an extensive list of basic life science courses, 3 credits from an extensive list of health and social science courses, and 3 credits from an empirical and technological science list. The remaining 9 credits may be taken from courses listed in any of the three categories.
Please note: Students studying in Anatomy and Cell Biology; Biochemistry; Honours Immunology; Microbiology and Immunology; Neuroscience; Pharmacology; and Physiology are not permitted to complete this Minor.
Interested students should contact the Interdisciplinary Programs Adviser.
Complementary Courses (24 credits)
The 24 credits required for this program must satisfy the following criteria:
At least 18 credits must be outside the student's main discipline.
Depth requirement:
at least 6 credits must be at the 300 level or above.
Breadth requirement:
at least 9 credits must be taken from the Basic Life Sciences List,
at least 3 credits from the Health Social Sciences List,
at least 3 credits from the Empirical Science and Technology List.
The remaining 9 credits may be selected from any of the lists.
Basic Life Sciences
At least 9 credits from:
* Students take either ANAT 212 or BIOC 212, but not both.
Health Social Science
At least 3 credits from:
Empirical Science and Technology
At least 3 credits from:
* Students who have already received credit for MATH 324 will NOT receive credit for GEOG 202, MATH 203, PSYC 204, BIOL 373, MATH 204, or PSYC 305.
Credit given for statistics courses is subject to certain restrictions. Students should consult the "Course Overlap" information in the "Course Requirements" section for the Faculty of Science.
International Development Studies Minor
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Minor Concentration International Development Studies(18 Credits)
Program Requirement:
The B.A.; Minor Concentration in International Development Studies focuses on the many challenges facing developing countries, including issues related to socio-economic inequalities and well being, governance, peace and conflict, environment and sustainability, and key development-related themes.
At least 9 of the 18 credits must be at the 300 level or above.
Students who are pursuing a Field Studies program can have a portion of their Field Studies courses count towards their IDS program. See Adviser in office for details.
Required Courses (9 credits)
Complementary Courses (9 credits)
Thematic
9 credits from the following:
Agriculture
Agricultural Economics
Anthropology
Business Administration
* When topic is relevant to IDS.
Canadian Studies
East Asian Studies
Economics
English
Geography
History
Students may count either HIST 339 or POLI 347 towards their program but not both.