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Jun 07, 2026
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Working Undergraduate Catalog 2026-2027
Nutrition Sciences (BS)
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The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Nutrition Sciences degree is designed to prepare students for the healthcare field with an evidence-based approach to nutrition and dietetics, including medical nutrition therapy. Nutrition Sciences programs are student-focused with contact hours provided through lecture-based and laboratory courses. With several concentration areas of study to choose from, students will have the opportunity to engage in field experiences supervised by Registered Dietitians/Nutritionists and other healthcare/nutrition-related professionals. Summer and part-time work, or volunteer experiences in the profession, are encouraged to help bolster a competitive application for Masters/MS-DI programs. Nutrition and dietetics professionals have a unique knowledge of the science and art of nutrition. The blend of scientific knowledge with the social and cultural factors influencing what people eat enables Registered Dietitians/Nutritionists and healthcare professionals to assist individuals in health promotion, disease prevention, and disease management.
Please see the UNLV Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences web page at www.unlv.edu/kns/nutrition for information about department programs, faculty and facilities. Degree worksheets and 4/5 year plan for the major are available at www.unlv.edu/degree/bs-nutrition-sciences.
Career Possibilities
Nutrition Sciences graduates are prepared to work in clinical dietetics as interns and graduate students under the supervision of licensed RDNs. Some may also enjoy helping professional or recreational athletes in sports ranging from sprinting to stock car racing as Licensed and Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs). Others may find employment in health clubs, spas, or neighborhood gyms. Others may work in food service for corporations, schools, airlines and the military. Those with inquiring minds may prefer the laboratory, conducting experiments for quality assurance departments, new products for offices or drug companies to delineate metabolic pathways. Some of the major areas (with application eligibility immediately after graduating) include:
- Diet Technician, Registered (DTR/NDTR)
- Certified Dietary Manager (CDM)
- WIC Nutrition Educator
- Dietary Aide
- Pair with a Fitness Specialization such as a CPT from ACSM, NATA or NSCA
- Research
Admission
In addition to a cumulative and program prerequisite GPA of 2.75 and a Letter of Intent (LOI), program applicants must complete of the following courses in order to apply to program:
- NUTR 223 : Principles of Nutrition with a grade of B or higher
- NUTR 271 : Introduction to Nutrition and Dietetics with a grade of B or higher
- NUTR 301 : Nutrition, Health and Ethnic Issues with a grade of B or higher
- MATH specific to your desired concentration
- CHEM specific to your desired concentration
- BIOL 189A : Fundamentals of Life Science with a grade of C or higher
- BIOL 189L : Fundamentals of Life Science Lab with a grade of C or higher
- BIOL 251A : General Microbiology Lecture with a grade of C or higher
- BIOL 251L : General Microbiology Lab with a grade of C or higher
- KIN 223 /L: Human Anatomy & Physiology I with a grade of C or higher
- KIN 224 /L: Human Anatomy & Physiology II with a grade of C or higher
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Nutrition Science (BS) Degree Requirements - Total: 120
General Education Requirements - Subtotal: 35-45 Credits
First-Year Seminar - Credits: 2-3
English Composition - Credits: 6
Second-Year Seminar - Credits: 3
Constitutions - Credits: 3-6
Mathematics - Credits: 3
The MATH course you complete will be dependent on the MATH requirement for the concentration you select. Distribution Requirement - Credits: 18
Please see Distribution Requirements for more information. - Humanities and Fine Arts - Credits: 9
- Two courses from two different areas
- One course in Fine Arts
- Social Science - Credits: 9
- One course each from three different fields
- Life and Physical Sciences and Analytical Thinking
- Automatically satisfied by Major requirements
Multicultural and International - Credits: 0-6
These courses may overlap with general education and major requirements. A single course may not meet the multicultural and international requirements simultaneously. For the list of approved multicultural and international courses, go to: www.unlv.edu/provost/multicultural-requirements. Major Requirement - BS in Nutrition Sciences - Total: 85 Credits
Completion of all foundation courses (except KIN 200), along with Math and Chemistry courses specific to your desired concentration are required to apply to the Nutrition major. All NUTR courses for the major, including the concentration must be completed with a C or better grade. Foundations Courses - Credits: 26
Required Nutrition Core - Credits: 13
Areas of Concentration - Credits: 46
Must choose one concentration. Nutrition for Healthcare Concentration - Credits: 46
This general program allows students to meet all DPND requirements as part of the pathway towards becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. Required Courses - Credits: 42
Approved Elective Courses - Credits: 4
Interprofessional Nutrition Sciences Concentration - Credits: 46
This nutrition-focused program helps prepare students to apply to professional schools, such as medical school, physical therapy programs, etc. Required Courses - Credits: 35
Approved Electives - Credits: 11
Interprofessional Nutrition Sciences Concentration Notes
KIN 200 is the preferred health statistics course for this concentration. Social and Behavioral Nutrition Concentration - Credits: 46
This general program allows students alternative career pathways in nutrition with a focus on the social determinants of health that do not require a dietetics credential. Potential careers from this pathway might include nutrition research, public policy, community nutrition, health/nutrition writing/editing, marketing and sales, healthcare management, etc. Required Courses - Credits: 13
Specialty Courses - Credits: 12 (of 21)
Specialty HCA Courses - Credits: 3 (of 21)
Complete 3 credits from the following HCA list of courses. Specialty PBH Courses - Credits: 3 (of 21)
Complete 3 credits from the following list of PBH courses. Specialty PSY Courses - Credits: 3 (of 21)
Complete 3 credits from the following list of PSY courses. Approved Electives - Credits: 12
Social and Behavioral Nutrition Concentration Notes
Notes
- KIN 223 was previously BIOL 223. Either will satisfy this requirement.
- KIN 224 was previously BIOL 224. Either will satisfy this requirement.
- NUTR 470 is a Junior-level course and is encouraged to be taken in Fall of Junior year along with NUTR 370 .
- NUTR 311 & NUTR 311L are Milestone Experience courses for the Nutrition BS program.
- NUTR 451 is the culminating experience course for the Nutrition BS program.
- KIN 200 is the preferred health statistics course for all concentrations except Social and Behavioral Nutrition Concentration which can use PSY 210 for KIN 200 .
- Social and Behavioral Nutrition Concentration: ANTH 428 , HCA 203 , or PBH 200 can also be used to satisfy the multicultural requirement.
- KIN 391 is the preferred Nutrition Elective for Nutrition for Healthcare students.
- All NUTR courses in the program and concentration must be earned with a C or better grade.
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