Nutritional and Nutraceutical Sciences (NANS)
Admission Requirements
Ontario Requirements
Out of Province Requirements
International Requirements
How Food Optimizes Biological Function
Develop a Foundation in Human Health and Nutrition
Offered within the Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, this major will provide you with a broad grounding in the biology of nutrition, physiology, pathology, pharmacology and nutraceuticals.
Help Solve Contemporary Nutrition Issues
Tackle current problems in the food, pharmaceutical and natural health product industries through a deep understanding of how nutrients, phytochemicals, toxins and food processing affect the human body.
Gain Hands-on Research Experience
Complete a research course with a faculty member in a discipline related to nutrition, food, nutraceuticals, health and disease to further your skills and experience in the field. Take advantage of cutting-edge research facilities, including the Human Nutraceutical Research Unit, the Health and Performance Centre and the Guelph Food Innovation Centre.
Why Nutritional and Nutraceutical Sciences?
"Let food be thy medicine, and let medicine be thy food.”
~ Hippocrates
Nutritional and Nutraceutical Sciences is a unique major in Canada and focuses on understanding the contribution of food, beverage and nutritional supplement consumption to growth, development of optimal biological function, maintenance of health, and treatment of disease. The program explores how we can use foods and nutrients to develop innovative products that will benefit humans, animals and the environment.
After building a foundation in the biological sciences, students examine the biology of nutrition from a molecular and cellular level to the whole organism. In senior years, you will dive deeper, taking courses on the role of nutrients in maintaining health and preventing and treating disease, the connection between foods, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical drugs, and regulatory policies, among other courses.
If you're interested in studying Nutritional and Nutraceutical Sciences, you may also be interested in Food Science, Applied Human Nutrition, or other majors.
Gain Valuable Experience Through Co-op
The Nutritional and Nutraceutical Sciences co-op is a five-year program, which includes five work terms, and helps to provide invaluable hands-on experience in food, pharmaceutical and health product industries, providing the skills and experience to boost your resume and fast-track your career.
Hear From NANS Students and Graduates
I love being able to apply the concepts I've learned to my everyday life. The field of nutrition is constantly expanding and we're gaining new knowledge every day. There is so much to explore! I've always been interested in health and nutrition, being an athlete my whole life, so I love the fact that everything I learn is new to me, and can be used to enhance my healthy lifestyle.
Students have a unique opportunity in the HNRU to take responsibility in their research, including designing studies, collecting data and analyzing the results on hand.
What Can You Do with a Degree in Nutritional and Nutraceutical Sciences?
Our graduates find work in international health and nutrition organizations, government regulatory bodies and advisory agencies, or pursue related graduate studies. Students interested in becoming registered dietitians should learn more about the BASc Applied Human Nutrition program.
Here are a few careers our graduates have successfully pursued:
- Brand Manager
- Chiropractor
- Clinical Biochemist
- Clinical Research Coordinator
- Family Physician
- Formulation Specialist
- Naturopathic Doctor
- Paramedic
- Pharmaceutical Research and Development
- Product Development Specialist
- Registered Nurse
- Regulatory Specialist
- Research & Development Scientist
- Research Assistant
- Scientific Project Coordinator
Scholarships
In 2021, more than $42.7 million in scholarships was awarded to U of G students. Learn more about applications, requirements and available Scholarships.
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