Nutritional sciences

This field of study at the interface of health and science deals with human nutrition. Here natural, budgetary and economic aspects play a role.

The study field at a glance

Nutrition science deals with the physiological, economic and technological foundations of a proper, fully-fledged nutrition as a prerequisite for health and performance. They are distinctly different from food chemistry and food technology.
Related to the nutritional sciences, however, are the budgetary sciences. They mainly discuss the technical, business and social aspects in the management of canteens, cafeterias or hospitals. The budgetary sciences are offered as a joint course of studies only in conjunction with nutrition science, often under the name of ecotrophology.
Another area is dietetics, which deals with nutrition management and nutritional medicine.

Offered courses

Degree programs in this area are offered primarily at universities, but also at some universities of applied sciences. Most colleges offer the possibility of continuing their studies with a master's degree.

Contents of the course

The bachelor program teaches basic scientific knowledge, for example with modules such as applied mathematics and statistics, physics and biochemistry. This is supplemented by subjects such as food chemistry and human nutrition. In the master's program, the subject-specific expansion is carried out with modules such as nutritional biology, biochemistry, nutritional toxicology, food chemistry, food law, nutritional physiology, nutritional medicine, food quality and quality control. In addition, there are modules offered for production management in the food industry, for the economics of the private household and the service companies or for markets of the agri-food industry. Often, a profile formation by additional election modules is possible.

Admission criteria & course application

Depending on school / vocational training, universities of applied sciences often require or recommend a pre-study internship lasting several weeks in the field of home economics and nutrition.

Possible careers after graduation

Nutritionists work especially in the food and beverage industry as well as in the pharmaceutical industry, in hospitals, care facilities for the elderly, sanatoriums, spa facilities, canteen kitchens, canteens, refectories, the detergents and cleaning agents industry, household, nutritional and consumer advice, in market research and further training.

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Study information

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