Nutrition and Food Science (NFS) Major

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Nutrition and Food Science Major

The Nutrition and Food Science Major is a dynamic field based in science and focuses on the chemical, physiological and biological aspects of foods and nutrients. The curriculum can be designed to meet the student’s interest in food science or nutritional sciences.

Individuals who graduate with a NFS major are prepared to pursue advanced degrees in nutrition or food science or professional degrees in health professions such as medicine, dentistry, physical therapy and public health. Business and industry positions are available for individuals interested in applying the principles of science and nutrition to the development of food products as well as culinary science, food safety, food quality control, ingredient management, and sales and service. Students interested in a career in nutrition education and counseling in a clinical setting should choose the dietetics major.

System General Education Requirements*: 32

Goal #1 Written Communication:
ENGL 101
, and
ENGL 201
Credits: 6
Goal #2 Oral Communication:
SPCM 101*
Credits: 3
Goal #3 Social Sciences/Diversity:
PSYC 101
, and
ECON 202
Credits: 6
Goal #4 Arts and Humanities/Diversity
Credits: 6
Goal #5 Mathematics:
MATH 102
Credits: 3
Goal #6 Natural Sciences:
CHEM 112-112L
, and
CHEM 114-114L
Credits: 6

Institutional Graduation Requirements** Credits: 8-9

Goal #1 Land and Natural Resources:
NFS 111
Credits: 3
Goal #2 Personal Wellness
Credits: 2-3
Goal #3 Social Responsibility/Cultural and Aesthetic Awareness
Credits: 3

College Requirements: 2

EHS 140 - Enhancing Human Potential Credits: 2

Major Requirements: 33

NFS 141-141L - Foods Principles and Lab Credits: 4
NFS 151 - Food Safety and Technology Credits: 3
NFS 315 - Human Nutrition Credits: 3
NFS 481 - Food Science, Dietetics, and Hospitality Human Resources Management Credits: 3
NFS 490/590 - Seminar (AW) Credits: (1-2)
PHYS 111-111L - Introduction to Physics I and Lab* (COM) Credits: 4
STAT 281 - Introduction to Statistics (COM) Credits: 3
CHEM 326-326L - Organic Chemistry I and Lab(COM) Credits: (3, 1)
CHEM 328-328L - Organic Chemistry II and Lab(COM) Credits: (3, 1)
CHEM 464 - Biochemistry I (COM) Credits: 3
CHEM 466 - Laboratory Methods- Biochemistry Credits: 1

Electives: 52-53

Total Required Credits: 128

Curriculum Notes:

* The 30 credit Board of Regents System General Education Requirements (SGRs) must be completed as part of a student’s first 64 credits.

** South Dakota State University has an 8-9 credit Institutional Graduation Requirement (IGRs).

(G) Globalization Requirement.

(AW) Advanced Writing Requirement.

Students must take the proficiency examination after completing 48 credits. English 101, and a course in each of the General Education areas of social science, mathematics, natural science, and humanities and arts must be taken prior to taking this exam.