Program Information

The Nutritional Sciences major at Springfield College is a non-dietetics track major leading to a Bachelor of Science degree.  This program has been designed to prepare students for careers in public and community health, wellness, the food industry, and graduate studies in nutrition or related fields.  All students will complete more than 250 hours of practical experience in the field of nutrition.  The program is heavily grounded in the sciences, with the ultimate goal of preparing students to be independent thinkers and problem solvers, who are well-equipped to address nutrition-related challenges in the areas of food choices, food supply and food security in our world today.

The program of study comprising the Nutritional Sciences major is designed to develop knowledge, skills and ability that will enable the graduate to:

1. Understand the functions and requirements of the macro- and micronutrients
2. Effectively communicate nutrition-related information in one-on-one and group settings.
3. Understand the hormonal and metabolic responses to feeding and fasting in healthy people
4. Obtain certification in food service management
5. Design, implement, and present the results of  a nutrition-related research study

Degree Information

Degree: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a major in Nutritional Sciences

(120 Credit Hours) Requirements are subject to change.

Contact Information

For more information about the Nutritional Sciences major, contact Donna Chapman, Ph.D., R.D. in the Exercise Science and Sports Studies Department at (413) 748-3567 or the Admissions Office at (800) 343-1257.

Curricular Requirements

General Education Program (40 - 46 credits)

The General Education program at Springfield College is informed by its century-old Humanics tradition of educating the whole person in spirit, mind, and body, for leadership in service to humanity. These requirements have the goal of developing literate, thoughtful, socially responsible students, and instilling in them a spirit of inquiry into the nature of humankind and the universe. Towards those ends, the requirements emphasize and encourage: the acquisition of knowledge, understanding, and competency essential for the improvement of the human condition in a diverse society; a search for personal and spiritual values; and the development of an understanding and appreciation of physical well-being. 

For specific requirements, see the General Education Program (40 - 46 credits)  section.

II. Core Requirements (65 credits)

• BIOL 121 - Bioscience I Credits: 3
• BIOL 122 - Bioscience II Credits: 3
• BIOL 123 - Bioscience I Laboratory Credits: 1
• BIOL 124 - Bioscience II Laboratory Credits: 1
• BIOL 250 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credits: 3
• BIOL 251 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II Credits: 3
• BIOL 252 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory Credits: 1
• BIOL 253 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory Credits: 1
• CHEM 121 - General Chemistry I Credits: 3
• CHEM 122 - General Chemistry II Credits: 3
• CHEM 123 - General Chemistry I Laboratory Credits: 1
• CHEM 124 - General Chemistry II Laboratory Credits: 1
• CHEM 211 - Organic Survey Credits: 3
• CHEM 331 - Biological Chemistry Credits: 3
• NUSC 261 - Introduction to Nutrition Credits: 3

•  

  Choose one of the following MATH courses:

• MATH 115 - College Algebra Credits: 3

• or

• MATH 125 - Precalculus Mathematics Credits: 3

• or

• MATH 131 - Introduction to Calculus with Applications Credits: 3

• or

• MATH 140 - Calculus I Credits: 3

•  

• MOSK 101 - Outdoor Pursuits Credits: 1
• NUSC 101 - Introduction to Nutritional Sciences Credits: 1
• NUSC 250 - Nutritional Assessment Credits: 3
• NUSC 300 - Advanced Nutrition and Metabolism Credits: 3
• NUSC 310 - Principles of Food Science Credits: 3

• or

• NUSC 320 - Community Nutrition Credits: 3
• NUSC 330 - Food Service Management Credits: 3
• NUSC 340 - Nutrition and Culture Credits: 3
• NUSC 410 - Nutrition and Human Development Credits: 3
• NUSC 450 - Nutrition Fieldwork Credits: 3-6

• (must be taken for a total of 6 credits to meet program requirements)

• NUSC 490 - Senior Thesis in Nutrition Credits: 3

Electives (to complete a minimum of 120 credits)

Program Standards

Program standards for the Nutritional Sciences major include, but are not limited to:

• A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.500.
• A grade of C- or better in all courses with an NUSC prefix.

For more information about these and other program standards, contact your advisor or the nutritional sciences, program coordinator.