Program Requirements
This Major offers a core emphasis on the scientific fundamentals of nutrition and metabolism throughout the lifespan from the molecular to the organismal level. The concentration in food function and safety covers the ranges from health effects of phytochemicals and food toxicants, food chemistry and analysis, food safety, product development and influence of constituents of food on health. This degree does not lead to professional licensure as a Dietitian/Nutritionist. Graduates are qualified for careers in the biotechnology field, pharmaceutical and/or food industries, government laboratories, and the health science communications field. Graduates often continue on to graduate studies preparing for careers in research, medicine, and dentistry or as specialists in nutrition.
Refer to "Faculty Information and Regulations" > "Minimum Credit Requirements", in this eCalendar for prerequisites and minimum credit requirements.
For information on academic advising, see:
Required Courses (63 credits)
All required courses must be passed with a minimum grade of C.
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AEMA 310 Statistical Methods 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics (Agric&Envir Sci) : Measures of central tendency and dispersion; binomial and Poisson distributions; normal, chi-square, Student's t and Fisher-Snedecor F distributions; estimation and hypothesis testing; simple linear regression and correlation; analysis of variance for simple experimental designs.
Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025
Instructors: Dutilleul, Pierre R L (Fall) Dhiman, Jaskaran (Winter)
Two 1.5-hour lectures and one 2-hour lab
Please note that credit will be given for only one introductory statistics course. Consult your academic advisor.
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ANSC 234 Biochemistry 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : Metabolism in humans and domestic animals. The chemistry of alimentary digestion, absorption, transport, intermediary metabolism and excretion.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Giehl Glanzner, Werner; Marchand, Hugo (Winter)
Prerequisite: LSCI 211
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ANSC 323 Mammalian Physiology (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : A study of the organization, functions and regulation of various organ systems in mammals. The nervous, endocrine, muscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, urinary, digestive and reproductive systems are discussed.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Zhao, Xin (Fall)
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ANSC 424 Metabolic Endocrinology (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : A detailed study of the endocrine system and its role in the maintenance of homeostasis in higher vertebrates, including the endocrine regulation of energy balance.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Duggavathi, Raj (Winter)
Winter
3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
Prerequisite: ANSC 323
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FDSC 200 Introduction to Food Science (3 credits)
Overview
Food Science : This course enables one to gain an appreciation of the scope of food science as a discipline. Topics include introductions to chemistry, processing, packaging, analysis, microbiology, product development, sensory evaluation and quality control as they relate to food science.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Lu, Xiaonan (Fall)
Fall
3 lectures
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FDSC 251 Food Chemistry 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Food Science : A study of the chemistry and functionality of the major components comprising food systems, such as water, proteins, carbohydrates and lipids. The relationship of these components to food stability will be studied in terms of degradative reactions and processing.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Ismail, Ashraf A; Ekaette, Idaresit (Winter)
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FDSC 300 Principles of Food Analysis 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Food Science : The fundamentals of food analysis are presented with the emphasis on the major components of foods. Topics include: food components, sampling, method selection, official methods, proximate analysis, moisture, protein, fat, ash, fiber, carbohydrates, vitamins and nutraceutical compounds.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: George, Saji (Fall)
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FDSC 305 Food Chemistry 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Food Science : A study of the chemistry and functionality of the minor components comprising food systems, such as enzymes, anthocyanins, carotenoids, additives, vitamins and essential oils. The relationship of these components to food stability in terms of degradative reactions and processing.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Simpson, Benjamin K (Fall)
Fall
3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
Prerequisite: FDSC 251
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FDSC 525 Food Quality Assurance (3 credits)
Overview
Food Science : The principles and practices required for the development, maintenance and monitoring of systems for food quality and food safety. The concepts and practices of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point; ISO 9000; Total Quality Management; Statistical Sampling Plans, Statistical Process Control; Tools of Quality; Government Regulations.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: George, Saji (Winter)
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LSCI 204 Genetics (3 credits)
Overview
Life Sciences : The course integrates classical, molecular and population genetics of animals, plants, bacteria and viruses. The aim is to understand the flow of genetic information within a cell, within families and in populations. Emphasis will be placed on problem solving based learning. The laboratory exercises will emphasize the interpretation of genetic experimental data.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Charron, Jean-Benoit (Fall)
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken BIOL 202.
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LSCI 211 Biochemistry 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Life Sciences : Biochemistry of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids; enzymes and coenzymes. Introduction to intermediary metabolism.
Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025
Instructors: Cestari, Igor; Long, Thavy (Fall) Long, Thavy; Cestari, Igor (Winter)
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LSCI 230 Introductory Microbiology (3 credits)
Overview
Life Sciences : The occurrence and importance of microorganisms in the biosphere. Principles governing growth, death and metabolic activities of microorganisms. An introduction to the microbiology of soil, water, plants, food, humans and animals.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Faucher, Sebastien (Winter)
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NUTR 207 Nutrition and Health (3 credits)
Overview
Nutrition and Dietetics : Provides students who have a basic biology/chemistry background with the fundamental information on how macronutrients, vitamins and minerals are metabolized in the body, followed by application to evaluate current issues of maximizing health and disease prevention at different stages of the lifecycle.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Wykes, Linda J (Fall)
Fall
3 lectures
Corequisites: FDSC 230 [for students that have not taken the CEGEP equivalent OOXV].
Prerequisites: AEBI 122 or BIOL 112 or CEGEP equivalent OOXU
Restriction: Not open to students who take NUTR 200 or EDKP 292
Restriction: Science students in physical science and psychology programs who wish to take this course should see the Arts and Science Student Affairs Office for permission to register.
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NUTR 214 Food Fundamentals (4 credits)
Overview
Nutrition and Dietetics : Food composition and structure. Scientific principles underlying physical, chemical, and nutrient content changes during food preparation. The role of ingredients and nutrients, and their interaction in food preparation. Culture of food including historical context and sustainability. Sensory evaluation and food safety.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Al-asmar, Amani (Fall)
Fall
One 3-hour lecture and one 4-hour lab
Prerequisite: FDSC 230 or corequisite with instructor's permission.
Not to be charged in Fall 2020. This course includes a fee of $350 for a culinary tool kit, chef coat, hairnet, food ingredients, supplies and laboratory manual. The fee is refundable as long as the kit and supplies have not been opened, used or scratched and the manual is intact. Students who drop this course during the course add/drop period may return the kit (if already received) to their department, who will then advise the Student Accounts Office to reverse the charges for the fee once they have inspected the materials and found them to be in acceptable condition.
Restriction(s): Enrolment restricted to Dietetics, Nutrition and Concurrent degrees or permission of instructor.
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NUTR 307 Metabolism and Human Nutrition (3 credits)
Overview
Nutrition and Dietetics : This course looks at the importance of nutrition from the molecular to the organismal levels in human health and disease. The focus will be on the significance of nutrients in regulating metabolism, and impact of genotype in the metabolism of nutrients.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Wykes, Linda J; Agellon, Luis; Mailloux, Ryan (Fall)
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NUTR 322 Applied Sciences Communication (3 credits)
Overview
Nutrition and Dietetics : The principles and techniques of communicating applied sciences to individuals and groups in both the professional and public milieu. Effective public speaking and group interaction techniques. Communication materials selection, development, use, and evaluation. Writing for the media. Balancing risk and reason in communicating scientific findings.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Kasvis, Popi (Winter)
Winter
2 lectures, 1 lab
Prerequisite: Completion of 15 credits in a B.Sc. program
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NUTR 337 Nutrition Through Life (3 credits)
Overview
Nutrition and Dietetics : Nutrient utilization, requirements and recommended allowances as related to physiological development throughout the life cycle. Physiological, psychological and environmental determinants of eating behaviour.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Iskandar, Mich猫le (Winter)
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NUTR 344 Clinical Nutrition 1 (4 credits)
Overview
Nutrition and Dietetics : Clinical nutrition assessment and dietary modification of pathological conditions including hypertension, lipid disorders and cardiovascular disease, obesity, cancer, COPD, introduction to diabetes, dysphagia.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Iskandar, Mich猫le (Winter)
- NUTR 401 Emerging Issues in Nutrition (1 credit)
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NUTR 450 Research Methods: Human Nutrition (3 credits)
Overview
Nutrition and Dietetics : Introduction to how diverse approaches to nutrition research including international, community, laboratory, clinical, molecular, meta-analyses are necessary to advance the field of nutrition. Emphasis on ethics, scientific method, research process and analysis of results.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Basu, Niladri (Fall)
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NUTR 512 Herbs, Foods and Phytochemicals (3 credits)
Overview
Nutrition and Dietetics : An overview of the use of herbal medicines and food phytochemicals and the benefits and risks of their consumption. The physiological basis for activity and the assessment of toxicity will be presented. Current practices relating to the regulation, commercialization and promotion of herbs and phytochemicals will be considered.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Owen, Patrick (Fall)
Complementary Courses (12 credits)
12 credits of complementary courses are selected as follows:
Common Complementary Courses
6 credits from the following courses:
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ANSC 433 Animal Nutrition and Metabolism (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : Introduction to fundamental aspects of animal nutrition, including gastrointestinal anatomy and physiology; nutrient digestion, absorption, and metabolism; nutrient functions and requirements of livestock species; evaluation of feedstuffs and their use in ration formulation; and feeding strategies. Laboratory classes will include hands-on experience on feed analyses, gastrointestinal tract dissections, nutritional experiments and demonstrations in livestock species as well as computer-based ration balancing exercises.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Burgos, Sergio (Winter)
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ANSC 560 Biology of Lactation (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : An interdisciplinary approach to the study of mammary development, the onset of lactation and its cessation, comparing the differences in mammalian species in mammary development from embryological, pre- and post-pubertal and pre- and post-partum aspects. Lactation at the cellular and biochemical levels.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Burgos, Sergio (Fall)
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FDSC 537 Nutraceutical Chemistry (3 credits)
Overview
Food Science : The origin, classification, mechanism of action and chemical properties of potential and established nutraceutical compounds and their applications in functional foods.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Yaylayan, Varoujan (Fall)
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FDSC 545 Advances in Food Microbiology (3 credits)
Overview
Food Science : An advanced level food microbiology course providing a perspective on advanced topics in food microbiology (microbial biofilms, antimicrobial resistance, bacterial endospores) and describing the fundamental principles of advanced techniques in food microbiology (microbiological, biochemical, immunological, genetics methods).
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Ronholm, Jennifer (Winter)
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NUTR 501 Nutrition in the Majority World (3 credits)
Overview
Nutrition and Dietetics : Current nutrition-related issues in the Majority World, emphasizing young children and other vulnerable groups. The integration of a life science and social science perspective. The multiple causes, consequences, policies, and interventions related to current nutrition.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Marquis, Grace (Fall)
Fall
One 3-hr lecture
Prerequisite: A course in nutrition across the lifespan at the intermediate undergraduate level such as NUTR 337, or permission of the instructor.
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NUTR 503 Nutrition and Exercise (3 credits)
Overview
Nutrition and Dietetics : Interaction of exercise physiology with nutrient and energy metabolism in healthy adults. Principles of physical training and role of physical activity and exercise in weight management and food intake regulation. Importance of physical activity in childhood, during pregnancy, in healthy adults and in improving functional capacity in the elderly.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Plourde, Hugues; Andersen, Ross (Winter)
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NUTR 505 Public Health Nutrition (3 credits)
Overview
Nutrition and Dietetics : This course focuses on the nutrition status of populations, communities and groups of people using a public health lens. It identifies and assesses human nutrition issues and problems, their causes, influencing factors and social conditions using a social determinants of health framework. Offers opportunities to design and conduct needs assessments, design and plan programs and plan for their evaluation. The purpose and role of participatory approaches with diverse populations and Indigenous populations in particular will be analyzed. Health systems, public health and political influence in Canada, as related to nutrition will be addressed.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Delormier, Treena (Fall)
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NUTR 507 Advanced Nutritional Biochemistry (3 credits)
Overview
Nutrition and Dietetics : Specialized advanced topics in human nutrition, biochemistry and metabolism, including the dietary absorption and metabolism of iron, copper, and selenium and their role in energy metabolism, antioxidant defence, toxin elimination, and redox signaling and food source contamination, nutritional toxicology, and the negative impact these toxins have on metabolic networks and antioxidant defences.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Mailloux, Ryan (Winter)
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NUTR 511 Nutrition and Behaviour (3 credits)
Overview
Nutrition and Dietetics : This course will integrate biological, social and psychological determinants of eating and food choices in both health and disease. Topics will include behavioural theories relevant to eating and food choice, neurobiology of appetite regulation, mental health, obesity, chronic disease and effectiveness of behaviour-change intervention strategies.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Blunden, Sarah (Fall)
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NUTR 537 Advanced Human Metabolism (3 credits)
Overview
Nutrition and Dietetics : Advanced topics in regulation and dysregulation of metabolism integrating mechanistic pre-clinical approaches to studying human health and disease. Presentation and critical analysis of metabolic research.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Mailloux, Ryan; Wykes, Linda J; Agellon, Luis (Winter)
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NUTR 545 Clinical Nutrition 2 (4 credits)
Overview
Nutrition and Dietetics : Pathophysiology and clinical nutrition intervention for various medical conditions. Topics include gastrointestinal disorders, surgery and nutrition support.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Gillis, Chelsia (Fall)
- NUTR 546 Clinical Nutrition 3 (4 credits)
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NUTR 551 Analysis of Nutrition Data (3 credits)
Overview
Nutrition and Dietetics : Practical application of theoretical concepts in data analysis covering issues of study design, data collection, database organization, and statistical analysis using SPSS statistical software. Applications of statistical tests, reporting and interpretation of results, and data visualization.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Nielsen, Daiva; Iskandar, Mich猫le (Fall)
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PARA 438 Immunology (3 credits)
Overview
Parasitology : An in-depth analysis of the principles of cellular and molecular immunology. The emphasis of the course is on host defence against infection and on diseases caused by abnormal immune responses.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Sonzogni-Desautels, Karine (Fall)
6 credits from the following courses:
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AGRI 510 Professional Practice (3 credits)
Overview
Agriculture : The ethical issues that face a professional in the workplace; professional ethics and deontology, professional responsibilities as related to the laws of labour, health, safety and risks to the environment, risk management and communication.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Wang, Yixiang (Winter)
Restriction: Course restricted to senior undergraduate and graduate students.
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ANSC 350 Food-Borne Pathogens (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : Exploration of the taxonomy, characteristics, epidemiology, mechanisms of pathogenicity, disease, incidence, and factors affecting the survival and growth of pathogenic microorganisms in foods of animal origin; principles of detection, prevention and control of food-borne pathogens (bacteria, fungi, protozoa, helminths, viruses).
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Ronholm, Jennifer (Winter)
Prerequisite: LSCI 230, or permission of the instructor
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FDSC 315 Separation Techniques in Food Analysis 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Food Science : A detailed treatment on the principal chromotographic and electrophoretic techniques that are associated with the analysis of carbohydrate, lipid, protein constituents of food.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Bayen, Stephane (Winter)
Winter
3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
Prerequisite: FDSC 300 or permission of instructor.
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FDSC 319 Food Commodities (3 credits)
Overview
Food Science : The relationship between the chemistry of food constituents present in common commodities, such as milk, meat, eggs, cereals, oilseeds etc. and the common processing technologies associated with their transformation into stable food products.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Simpson, Benjamin K (Winter)
Winter
3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
Prerequisite: FDSC 251 or permission of instructor
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FDSC 330 Food Processing (3 credits)
Overview
Food Science : The principles and practices of food processing with an emphasis on canning, freezing, and dehydration. A survey of the newer methods of food preservation such as irradiation, reverse osmosis etc.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Ramaswamy, Hosahalli (Winter)
Winter
3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
Prerequisite: FDSC 251
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FDSC 334 Analysis of Food Toxins and Toxicants (3 credits)
Overview
Food Science : Toxins and toxicant residues in food including heavy metals, persistant organic pollutants (POPS) and microbial toxins are explored from an analytical perspective; new methods and strategies of analysis are emphasized.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Bayen, Stephane (Winter)
Winter
3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
Prerequisite: FDSC 213 or permission of instructor.
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FDSC 405 Food Product Development (3 credits)
Overview
Food Science : Fundamental principles of food product development from an innovative concept to the marketplace. Emphasis will be on the application of basic knowledge of food chemistry, food technology and related disciplines in developing new products or improving the existing ones.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Karboune, Salwa (Fall)
Fall
3 lectures and one 4-hour lab.
Pre-/Co-requisite: FDSC 305 or permission of instructor
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FDSC 442 Food Microbiology (3 credits)
Overview
Food Science : Topics in Food Microbiology including an overview of the natural flora and microbiological spoilage of food products, methods of control and shelf-life extension, methods of detection and control food-borne pathogens and the use of suitable microorganisms in the production of a variety of food products.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Somerville, Vincent; Feng, Zhixuan (Fall)
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FDSC 516 Flavour Chemistry (3 credits)
Overview
Food Science : The chemistry of the flavour constituents of foods, thermal and enzymatic generation, mechanistic pathways of formation, analysis synthesis and applications in food.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Yaylayan, Varoujan (Winter)
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FDSC 520 Biophysical Chemistry of Food (3 credits)
Overview
Food Science : This course will cover recent advances in the application of spectroscopic techniques, including infrared, Raman, near-infrared, circular dichroism, and fluorescence spectroscopy, to the study of biomolecules of relevance to food. Particular emphasis will be placed on the molecular basis of structure-function and structure-functionality relationships.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Fall
3 lectures
Prerequisite: FDSC 233
Course offered in odd years. Check with Graduate Program Supervisor.
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FDSC 537 Nutraceutical Chemistry (3 credits)
Overview
Food Science : The origin, classification, mechanism of action and chemical properties of potential and established nutraceutical compounds and their applications in functional foods.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Yaylayan, Varoujan (Fall)
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FDSC 540 Sensory Evaluation of Foods (3 credits)
Overview
Food Science : Principles and procedures for sensory evaluation of food products, applications of sensory tests, their strengths and weaknesses, factors affecting their responses, data analysis and interpretation of results. Analysis of sensory data in relation to the instrumental analyses will also be emphasized.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Waglay, Amanda (Fall)
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NUTR 430 Directed Studies: Dietetics and Nutrition 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Nutrition and Dietetics : An individualized course of study in dietetics/human nutrition under the supervision of a staff member with expertise on a topic not otherwise available in a formal course. A written agreement between student and staff member must be made before registration and filed with the Program Coordinator.
Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025, Summer 2025
Instructors: Mailloux, Ryan (Fall) Mailloux, Ryan (Winter)
Fall and Winter
**Due to the intensive nature of this course, the standard add/drop and withdrawal deadlines do not apply. Add/drop is the second lecture day and withdrawal is the fifth lecture day.
Elective Courses (15 credits)
15 credits of electives are taken to meet the minimum credit requirement for the degree. Reciprocal agreement allows all students to take a limited number of electives at any Quebec university. With prior approval students can take electives at any Canadian or international university.
