Core science classes aim to give students an understanding of how the human body and the world around them works. Anatomy and physiology, chemistry and biology classes are all required for undergraduate studies in nutrition. Descriptions of some nutrition programs suggest the program is best suited for individuals with a propensity for science. Even once the basics are done, many nutrition classes build off biological information, while cooking techniques build off some chemistry techniques.
Those who enter the field of dietetics often attempt to change behaviors, requiring a working knowledge of how to effectively understand and potentially modify the way people think and act. Along with discussions about the social and policy factors that influence decisions, classes that focus on Health psychology & social psychology are integrated into a nutrition science curriculum.
Classes that deal specifically with how nutrients affect the body, such as nutrient metabolism and advanced nutrition, build on the basic scientific principles of physiology and also provide a more focused understanding of how nutrition impacts the body. Clinical nutrition classes are included in any undergraduate nutrition program, with a focus on medical nutrition therapy. From trauma to pregnancy to chronic diseases, nutritional health risks must be assessed, measured, and treated. Learning how to interpret nutrition research in journals might be done while writing research papers, while statistics classes help students interpret the research they read.
Business, language, and management classes give graduates some ability to understand the working business world of nutrition. Individuals can work as a clinical manager, food service director, or even in the world of policy once they graduate. In any of these positions, language electives are invaluable when working in bilingual communities. Understanding the "language" of business, such as an ability to write a business plan or balance a budget, are also valuable skills to increase a student's self-efficacy.
Knowing how to prepare food is important to a career in nutrition. Kitchen labs in schools give students the chance to develop skills for preparing and presenting foods, as well as to customize it for special diets and allergies. Knowing how to design menus and determine the nutrient composition of diets is a requirement for some classes to develop skills to analyze everyday foods for their nutrition content.