Nutritional sciences is the relationship between diet and health
Nutritional sciences is the study of how diet impacts health and disease on a biochemical and physiological basis.
As a Nutritional Sciences major you will:
- Understand how nutrients in food affect the body through biological concepts such as biochemistry, genetics, microbiology, kinesiology, community nutrition, and epidemiology
- Customize your studies with classes on topics such as microbiology, genetics, obesity, metabolism, kinesiology, and sports nutrition, as well as ethics of public health, global health, community nutrition, and cultural aspects of food
- Develop a broad nutritional perspective and use critical thinking to solve real-world human health issues with scientific knowledge and hands-on experience
Career Paths
Nutritional sciences graduates are prepared for health and research careers in a variety of settings, including healthcare, education, corporate wellness, sports nutrition, government agencies, food companies, or pharmaceuticals.
Here are just a few examples of what our nutritional sciences graduates are doing with their careers:
Your CALS Experience
Get involved. Find your people.
The Dietetics and Nutrition Club is hosted by the Department of Nutritional Sciences and connects club members and professionals in the field of nutritional sciences and dietetics.
Explore a few of the other nutrition and health-related student organizations at UW–Madison:
Develop hands-on research skills
Explore the science behind nutrition’s role in health through independent or mentored research in a faculty lab. Work with internationally recognized researchers who study metabolism, genetics, genomics, physiology, and nutritional management of diseases including cystic fibrosis and diabetes.
Study abroad and gain global perspective
Broaden your worldview surrounding food beliefs, customs, and values while cultivating awareness and an inclusive attitude toward how food and nutrition is used and perceived across cultures with a study abroad program.
Learn about the connection between obesity and health in Austria, sustainable agriculture and local food systems in France, health and nutrition in Uganda, and so much more. You can also choose from one of UW–Madison’s many semester, summer, and short-term study abroad programs and map your study abroad experience as a nutritional sciences major.
Fund your education
There are eleven funding opportunities exclusively available to students in the Department of Nutritional Sciences. Each year, between $60,000 and $75,000 is available to be awarded to students.
72%
Students who participate in research
20+
Courses on nutritional sciences topics
60%
Students who pursue a certificate or double major
Advisor & Contact Information
Advisors can answer your questions, help you create a degree plan that meets your personal and professional goals, and connect you to resources across the UW–Madison campus.
Incoming students should reach out to CALS Academic Affairs to direct your questions. Current UW–Madison students should schedule with their assigned advisor using Starfish.
CALS Academic Affairs
116 Agricultural Hall
1450 Linden Dr., Madison, WI 53706
academicaffairs@cals.wisc.edu
(608) 262-3003
Department of Nutritional Sciences
266 Nutritional Sciences Building
1415 Linden Dr., Madison, WI 53706
(608) 262-2727
Want to learn more about nutritional sciences?