25.01.2024
Overview
Nutritional sciences
This field of study at the interface of health and science deals with human nutrition. Natural, household, economic and medical aspects play a role here.
The study field at a glance
Nutritional sciences deal with the physiological, economic and technological foundations of a complete diet as a prerequisite for health and performance. They are clearly differentiated from food chemistry and food technology.
Household sciences are related to nutritional sciences. This involves the technical, business and social aspects of running canteens, cafeterias or hospitals. Household sciences are only offered in conjunction with nutritional sciences as a joint course of study, often under the name ecotrophology. Another area is dietetics, which deals with nutritional management and nutritional medicine.
Offered courses
Degree programs in nutritional science are offered at universities and some technical colleges. At most universities it is possible to continue your studies with a master's degree.
Contents of the course
Basic scientific knowledge is imparted in the bachelor's program. Modules are: Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Physics and Biochemistry. There are also subjects such as food chemistry and human nutrition.
In the master's program, subject-specific expansion takes place, for example in nutritional biology, biochemistry, nutritional toxicology, food chemistry, food law, nutritional physiology, nutritional medicine, food quality and quality control. There are also modules on production management in the food industry, on the economics of private households and service companies or on markets in the agricultural and food industry. It is often possible to build a profile through additional elective modules.
Admission criteria & application for study
Depending on your educational/professional background, a preparatory internship lasting several weeks in the field of home economics and nutrition is often required or at least recommended at universities of applied sciences.
Career opportunities after graduation
Nutritionists work primarily in the food and beverage industry, in the pharmaceutical industry, in hospitals, geriatric care facilities, sanatoriums, spa facilities, commercial kitchens, canteens, canteens, the detergent and cleaning products industry, household, nutritional and consumer advice Market research and further training.
