Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences
Frequently Asked Questions
PROSPECTIVE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
- How do I apply?
- Can I do research as an undergrad?
- Can I get practical career experience?
- Will I be able to do sports and NFS classes at UVM?
- Will I be stuck in a bunch of boring labs?
- Is your Dietetics program accredited by the American Dietetic Association?
- I plan to work full-time while I go to school. Is it possible to take just one or two classes each semester?
- If I major in dietetics, will I have time to study abroad?
PROSPECTIVE GRADUATE STUDENTS
- Can I complete the academic requirements for an RD (Registered Dietitian) while getting my Master's degree?
- I have a non-related B.S. degree. Do you consider students with degrees in other fields for your Master's programs?
- Can I take courses in the summer if I am a graduate student?
- I am an international graduate student, what documents do I need? How much will my education cost?
CURRENT UVM STUDENTS
- I'm a UVM student and want to switch my major to NFS. What's the process?
- Can I minor in NFS?
- What counts as a humanities course?
PROSPECTIVE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
How do I apply?The Office of Undergraduate Admissions handle applications (they pass them along to us).
Contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions: UVM, 194 South Prospect St, Burlington, VT 05401; 802-656-3370; http://www.uvm.edu/admissions/
Can I do research as an undergrad?
Yes! NFS and Dietetics majors can work in labs or do field research with a faculty member for academic credit, or, in some cases, as employees.
Undergrads interested in food science or food microbiology careers have worked in Dr. Catherine Donnelly's lab studying listeria monocytogenes and Dr. Jean Harvey-Berino's Behavior Weight Research Program often employs undergrads to help with data entry and menu planning for research studies.
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Can I get practical career experience?
Yes! Through Community Practicums, Field Experiences and Independent Studies, our students gain real-world experience (and connections in the field) during internships at the Vermont Department of Health, the Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger, Fletcher Allen Hospital, and Ben & Jerry's.
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Will I be able to do sports and NFS classes at UVM?
Absolutely. While the in-season life of a Division I athlete never is leisurely, whatever your academic focus, NFS is a fine major (or minor) for any athlete. The NFS faculty is happy to work with student-athletes to accommodate sports schedules.
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Will I be stuck in a bunch of boring labs?
You'll take a couple of labs with your chem courses as a freshman and study a cadaver in anatomy and physiology as a sophomore. Most of our major's students will tell you that NFS labs (Basics of Food, Food Technology Lab, Microbiology) are fun. Where else do you get to learn first-hand how cheese is made and why bread browns as it bakes, or grow your very own bacteria colonies?
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Is your Dietetics program accredited by the American Dietetic Association?
Yes. Please see our our Dietetics page, for more info about our program.
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Yes. Part-time education is handled through UVM's Continuing Education Department, not directly with the department. Check out http://learn.uvm.edu, for more details.
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If I major in dietetics, will I have time to study abroad?
Many students do it and rave about their experiences. It will require some advance planning though, so if you're considering it, contact the Office of International Education, 802-656-4296, to start looking at some of the recommended programs and deciding what experience(s) interests you most.
Next you will need to talk with your advisor about how you can work your major and minor requirements around your study abroad program.
Important to keep in mind: You need to transfer the credits you earned abroad back to UVM. Contact the Office of Transfer Affairs, 802-656-0867, for information.
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PROSPECTIVE GRADUATE STUDENTS
How do I apply?Applications for prospective grad students are handled through the UVM Graduate College: UVM, 332 Waterman Building, Burlington, VT 05401, 802-656-2699, http://www.uvm.edu/~gradcoll/
Questions regarding the application process are handled by the Graduate College.
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You can work on them - but you probably won't have time to complete them all while earning your MS. (Solution: Students either complete some of the requirements before applying to the grad program - or stay on for a third year to finish the didactics requirements).
Questions? Contact Amy Nickerson, NFS Dietetic Program Coordinator: Amy.Nickerson@uvm.edu.
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We sure do. Our grad students have lived a variety of educational and professional "lives" - as magazine editors, AmeriCorps volunteers, linguistic majors, teachers, dairy farmers - before coming to do their graduate work in Nutrition and Food Sciences at UVM. What they all had in common: At least one semester of organic chemistry, before they applied. It's required.
If you are interested in a Master's Degree in Dietetics there are different qualifications and guidelines for applying. Please visit our Master of Science in Dietetics page for further information.
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Can I take courses in the summer if I am a graduate student?
Yes, if...
1.) You'll be funded (as research assistant or teaching assistant) the following fall;
2.) You're still planning to enroll for at least 6 credits in the fall and 6 credits, the following spring; and
3.) The course is part of your graduate program.
Still have questions? Contact the Grad College: www.uvm.edu/~gradcoll.
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I am an international graduate student, what documents do I need? How much will my education cost?
The UVM Graduate College is best equipped to answer all of your questions about immigration and visas; tuitions and fees. Link to it here: www.uvm.edu/~gradcoll/
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CURRENT UVM STUDENTS
I'm a UVM student and want to switch my major to NFS. What's the process?You need to have already completed taking NFS 043 (Fundamentals of Nutrition) and Chemistry 023 or 031 with a C or better before applying for transfer into the NFS Program. If you have taken these courses you need to complete the Change of Major Form return it completed with a copy of your UVM transcript to the department office, 256 MLS Carrigan Wing. Once you're transfer has been approved an NFS faculty advisor will be assigned to you.
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By all means: We'd love to have you! For students with a major in the College of Agriculture, a minor of NFS is comprised of 15 credits: NFS 43, NFS 53, and NFS 143 plus two NFS courses at or above the 100 level.
If you are a student in the College of Arts and Sciences, check with your college for minor requirements: they may be a bit different.
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What counts as a humanities course?
Classes about art, classics, history, literature, music, philosophy, religion, language, and theater, just to give some examples. Many university courses count; generally courses in psychology and social work, which are considered social sciences. Not sure if it's a humanities course? Contact your advisor to be sure you're on track.
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Last modified September 27 2012 06:40 AM