Bachelor of Science, Major in Food Science and Nutrition

This is an archived copy of the 2023-2024 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.shsu.edu.

Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit. 

Bachelor of Science, Major in Food Science and Nutrition
Core Curriculum
Component Area I (Communication)6
Component Area II (Mathematics) 13
Component Area III (Life and Physical Science) 28
Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture)3
Component Area V (Creative Arts)3
Component Area VI (U.S. History)6
Component Area VII (Political Science/Government)6
Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences) 33
Component Area IX (Component Area Option) 44
Degree Specific Requirements
BIOL 2403Human Anatomy & Physiology I 2, 54
BIOL 2404Human Anatomy & Physiology II 54
CHEM 1411General Chemistry I 24
CHEM 1412General Chemistry II4
COMS 3385Community Applied Communica3
KINE 2115Lifetime Health and Wellness 41
MATH 1314Pre Calculus Algebra 13
MATH 1370Intro Biomedical Statistics 63
PSYC 3374Development Psychology3
Major: Foundation
FSCN 1441Food Preparation And Selection4
FSCN 2362Nutrition3
FSCN 3329Nutrition through the Lifespan3
FSCN 3339Community Nutrition3
FSCN 3445Quantity Food Purchasing, Preparation, & Service4
FSCN 3367Food Science3
FSCN 3370Nutritional Pathways3
FSCN 3380Advanced Nutrition3
FSCN 4360Clinical Dietetics I3
FSCN 4361Clinical Dietetics II3
FSCN 4370Adv Food Sys Org & Mngt3
FSCN 4371Nutrition Assessment3
FSCN 4373Cultural Food Practices3
Major: Prescribed Electives
BIOL 2420Intro Applied Microbiology4
CHEM 2323
CHEM 2123
Organic Chemistry I: Lecture
and Organic Chemistry I Lab
4
ECON 2300Introduction To Economics 33
or ECON 2301 Principles Of Macroeconomics
or ECON 2302 Principles Of Microeconomics
ENGL 3330Intro to Technical Writing3
MGMT 3310Principles Of Management3
PSYC 1301Introduction To Psychology3
PSYC 4332Learning3
Minor: Not Required 7,8
Total Hours120
1

Satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area II (Mathematics).

2

Satisfies 4 hours of the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area III (Life and Physical Sciences).

3

Satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences).

4

Satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for one hour of Component Area IX (Component Area Option).

5

BIOL 2401 and BIOL 2402 may be used as transfer courses for this requirement; please see a SAM Center advisor for more details.

6

MATH 1342 will be accepted if transferred in from another institution or major.

7

A minor is not required for this degree program; however, a student has the option to add a minor, but to do so additional semester credits hours will be needed above the degree program’s stated total semester credit hours.

8

All minors can be paired with this degree program.

Notes

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum overall GPA in all coursework. 

Students must meet a 3.0 minimum overall major GPA in all major coursework.

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.

Students must meet a 3.0 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework.

FSCN 2362 requires 3 hours of BIOL or CHEM and 6 hours of MATH.

FSCN 1441 OR FSMG 2441  is a prerequisite for FSCN 3445.  

FSCN 3367 requires the completion of 4 hours of Chemistry, FSCN 1441 and FSCN 2362.  

BIOL 2420 requires a "C" or higher in BIOL 2401, BIOL 2402 and in CHEM 1406 or CHEM 1411.  This course will satisfy 4 hours of the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area III (Life and Physical Science).

MGMT 3310 requires 50 hours of course work completed.

PSYC 4332 requires PSYC 1301 as a prerequisite for FSN majors.

ENGL 1301 and ENGL 1302 are prerequisites for ENGL 3330 and satisfy the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area I (Communications).

The estimated cost of completing the DPD Program, including tuition and fees, books, lab coat, and SHSDA dues is $37,139. (Cost of tuition, fees and textbooks is subject to change without notice).

The program requires transfer and change of major students to have a minimum GPA of 3.0 prior to declaring FSN as a major and submitting a degree plan.

To be eligible to receive an ACEND Verification Statement of DPD Program Completion, students in the DPD at Sam Houston State University must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 overall, a DPD GPA of 3.0 or better, and a "C" or better in all FACS courses. Upper-level courses must have been completed in the previous 5 years. The DPD Director will issue the Verification Statement once the FSN degree has been conferred on the student's academic transcript (usually one month after the end of the semester). An official copy of the Verification Statement is required to begin an ACEND-accredited dietetic internship. Receipt of the Verification Statement does not guarantee an ACEND-accredited dietetic internship. Students who do not meet the grade point requirement for a Verification Statement but satisfy graduation requirements will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Nutrition. Sam Houston State University does not guarantee dietetic internship placement or selection.

The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) is currently granted accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

120 South Riverside Plaza
Suite 2000
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
1-800-877-1600, ext. 5400
Website: Eat Right

Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit.  

First Year
FallHoursSpringHours
BIOL 24031,24BIOL 240424
ENGL 130133CHEM 141114
HIST 130143ENGL 130233
KINE 211551HIST 130243
MATH 131463MATH 137073
 14 17
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area IV3BIOL 24204
CHEM 14124CHEM 21231
FSCN 14414CHEM 23233
POLS 230583FSCN 23623
PSYC 13013POLS 230683
 17 14
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area IX3Component Area V3
ENGL 33303FSCN 33393
FSCN 33293FSCN 33673
FSCN 34454FSCN 33803
FSCN 33703FSCN 43713
 16 15
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours
ECON 2300, 2301, or 230293COMS 33853
FSCN 43603FSCN 43613
FSCN 43733FSCN 43703
PSYC 33743MGMT 33103
 PSYC 43323
 12 15
Total Hours: 120
1

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area III (Life and Physical Sciences).

2

BIOL 2401 and BIOL 2402 may be used as transfer courses for this requirement; please see a SAM Center advisor for more details.

3

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area I (Communication).

4

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VI (U.S. History).

5

Satisfies one hour of the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IX (Component Area Option).

6

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area II (Mathematics).

7

MATH 1342 will be accepted if transferred in from another institution or major.

8

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VII (Political Science/Government).

9

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences).

Notes

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum overall GPA in all coursework. 

Students must meet a 3.0 minimum overall major GPA in all major coursework.

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.

Students must meet a 3.0 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework.

FSCN 2362 requires 3 hours of BIOL or CHEM and 6 hours of MATH.

FSCN 1441 OR FSMG 2441 is a prerequisite for FSCN 3445.

FSCN 3367 requires the completion of 4 hours of Chemistry, FSCN 1441 and FSCN 2362

BIOL 2420 requires a "C" or higher in BIOL 2401BIOL 2402 and in CHEM 1406 or CHEM 1411.  This course will satisfy 4 hours of the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area III (Life and Physical Science).

MGMT 3310 requires 50 hours of course work completed.

PSYC 4332 requires PSYC 1301 as a prerequisite for FSN majors.

ENGL 1301 and ENGL 1302 are prerequisites for ENGL 3330 and satisfy the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area I (Communications).

A minor is not required for this degree program; however, a student has the option to add a minor, but to do so additional semester credits hours will be needed above the degree program’s stated total semester credit hours.

All minors can be paired with this degree program.

The estimated cost of completing the DPD Program, including tuition and fees, books, lab coat, and SHSDA dues is $37,139. (Cost of tuition, fees and textbooks is subject to change without notice).

The program requires transfer and change of major students to have a minimum GPA of 3.0 prior to declaring FSN as a major and submitting a degree plan.

To be eligible to receive an ACEND Verification Statement of DPD Program Completion, students in the DPD at Sam Houston State University must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 overall, a DPD GPA of 3.0 or better, and a "C" or better in all FACS courses. Upper-level courses must have been completed in the previous 5 years. The DPD Director will issue the Verification Statement once the FSN degree has been conferred on the student's academic transcript (usually one month after the end of the semester). An official copy of the Verification Statement is required to begin an ACEND-accredited dietetic internship. Receipt of the Verification Statement does not guarantee an ACEND-accredited dietetic internship. Students who do not meet the grade point requirement for a Verification Statement but satisfy graduation requirements will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Nutrition. Sam Houston State University does not guarantee dietetic internship placement or selection.

The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) is currently granted accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

120 South Riverside Plaza
Suite 2000
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
1-800-877-1600, ext. 5400
Website: Eat Right

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) marketable skills initiative is part of the state’s 60x30TX plan and was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers.  Marketable skills are those skills valued by employers and/or graduate programs that can be applied in a variety of work or education settings and may include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas.

The BS in Food Science and Nutrition is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:

  • Demonstrate skills in performing nutrition assessments (individual and group) and assessment for the life cycle.
  • Ability to apply food science product manipulation and development.
  • Knowledge in and ability to perform culinary medicine food demonstration.
  • Demonstrate basic understanding of nutritional quality assessment of individuals and populations utilizing computer software.
  • Awareness of food and inventory management.