The School of Nutrition offers a four-year baccalaureate program that focuses on nutrition, food and health from an integrative and multi-disciplinary perspective. The School provides a diverse learning environment that prepares nutrition and food graduates for professional careers, reflective practice and responsible citizenship informed by our engagement in research and scholarship. The program is designed to ensure that graduates are flexible and responsive to changing trends in health and community settings, foodservice and food industries, education, private practice and entrepreneurial endeavours.
Students will engage in two years of foundation courses in the physical and biological sciences, nutrition, food science and food applications, marketing, research methods, family in society, and professional practice. The foundation years form the basis for advanced study in the core nutrition and food disciplines supported by a broad range of electives to enhance personal and professional development.
The Nutrition and Food program is accredited by the Dietitians of Canada. Students who plan to qualify for admission to the College of Dietitians of Ontario (CDO) will select courses from the Table I and Table II Elective Lists in order to meet the comprehensive academic requirements for dietetics. Following graduation, students must complete a practicum requirement through an approved dietetic internship or a relevant Master’s degree. The DC Program Director (at Ryerson) provides academic planning assistance to help program students meet their professional goals. As access to internships is competitive, students with cumulative GPAs less than 3.00 should also consider other career opportunities.
Many of the School’s graduates have chosen careers in the food and foodservice industry. Typical positions include: sales and marketing in both business and consumer settings, quality assurance and quality control, product development and recipe analysis, foodservice management, consumer affairs, consulting, and owner-operator of one’s own business.
Selection of particular electives allows for membership in a number of organizations such as the Canadian Association of Foodservice Professionals, the Canadian Institute of Food Science and Technology, and the Ontario Home Economics Association.
Graduates who are interested in obtaining, from the Ontario College of Teachers, their Ontario College of Teachers Certificate of Qualification in Family Studies Education must complete their pre-service education training at a faculty of education. Past graduates have specialized in primary, junior intermediate, and senior teaching levels. After two years of successful teaching, Ontario teachers may apply to take additional summer courses to obtain their specialist’s certificate.
GRADUATE STUDIES
Students who have an interest in furthering their education may consider post-graduate studies. Programs completed by graduates of this program include: Master's of science programs in nutritional sciences, nutrition, consumer studies, and family studies; Master's of health science programs in health promotion and community nutrition; Master's in business administration, education or law; or doctor of medicine. The School provides planning assistance and counselling for interested students.
DIVERSITY OF STUDENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
The program has and continues to attract a mix of students - those coming directly from Grade 12 U, M or equivalent studies, and those who have worked or who transfer from other universities or colleges. To assist students in meeting the program’s entrance requirements, Ryerson offers Grade 12 U or equivalents in Chemistry, Biology and English through The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education.
The program counts on students entering with a solid foundation in the physical sciences (such as biology and chemistry) as well as strong social science and communication skills. Computers are used widely in many courses, and some facility with information technology is expected. Special workshops are often available to assist students in developing these capacities.
INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES AND INTERNATIONAL FOCUS
A wide range of interdisciplinary electives is offered within the Faculty of Community Services, enhancing students’ understanding of issues such as homelessness and disabilities, and professional skills such as health promotion and community development. All students graduating are required to have one interdisciplinary, international or exchange course as part of their degree requirements.
STUDENT EXCHANGES
Senior students have an opportunity to engage in cultural and educational opportunities abroad, subject to availability of spaces and academic performance. Currently, second year students may apply to study for a semester in their third year at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) in Adelaide, Australia, the University of South Australia in Melbourne, Australia and Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Australia. The School’s program advisor assists students with all arrangements.
Challenge Credits
Students may apply to challenge the courses under the following conditions:
- Informal education opportunities (non-credit courses) and/or current work experience have allowed the student to develop advanced skill and knowledge in the relevant course areas. Therefore the student feels she/he does not need to take the course to prove achievement of course objectives.
- The student must be enrolled in the program. For further details see section on Challenge Credits.
For information on courses available for challenge, refer to the Curriculum Advising website at www.ryerson.ca/curriculumadvising for complete details.
Liberal Studies
Students must take three lower level liberal studies courses and three upper level liberal studies courses to graduate.
Graduation Requirement Variation
A Graduation Requirement Variation exists for this program. See Graduation Requirement Variation for details.
Minors
Students may pursue any Minor offered by Ryerson with exceptions. Please refer to the Minors Policy section of this calendar for further information on individual Minor requirements and restrictions.
The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education Certificates
Undergraduate students wishing to pursue a continuing education certificate program should be aware of possible restrictions. Please refer to the Curriculum Advising website at www.ryerson.ca/curriculumadvising for complete details.
