Nutrition

Return to: College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences

https://nutrition.utk.edu/

Dhiraj (Raj) Vattem, Department Head
Katie Kavanagh, Director of Graduate Studies

Professors
Hansen-Petrik, M., PhD – Tennessee
Raynor, H., PhD – State University of New York (Buffalo)
Spence, M., PhD – Tennessee
Zhao, L., PhD – California (Berkeley)

Associate Professors
Bettaieb, A., PhD – University of Quebec (Montreal)
Colby, S., PhD – North Carolina (Greensboro)
Donohoe, D., PhD – Louisiana State Health Sciences Center (Shreveport)
Kavanagh, K., PhD – California (Davis)
McGuirt, J., PhD – North Carolina

Assistant Professors
Cawthon, C., PhD – Georgia

Distinguished Lecturers
Murphy, L., MS-MPH – Tennessee

Clinical Instructors
Antonelli, S., MS – Meredith

Lecturers
Martin, J., MS – University of Memphis

Emeriti Faculty
Haughton, B., EdD – Columbia
Whelan, J., PhD – Penn State

The study of nutrition is heavily grounded in the biological and biochemical sciences that underlie the understanding of how nutrients and non-nutritive food components contribute to human health and disease. The Nutrition major is designed for students interested in community nutrition sciences or applied practice as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, and students are able to pursue one of three concentrations: The Biomedical Nutrition Science Concentration, the Community Nutrition Concentration, and the Dietetics Concentration. Each concentration includes a foundation in the basic sciences, introductory nutrition coursework, nutrient metabolism, nutrition assessment, and nutrition research design and methods, which is built upon through advanced concentration-specific coursework.

• Biomedical Nutrition Science Concentration - The Biomedical Nutrition Science Concentration of the Nutrition Major prepares students for graduate studies in biological and health sciences or for health professional programs, such as pharmacy and medicine. This concentration also prepares students for careers as laboratory technicians, research assistants, technical consultants, and sales representatives in the biomedical and nutrition industries. The Biomedical Nutrition Science Concentration includes advanced coursework in the basic nutrition and biomedical sciences to prepare graduates for graduate study in biomedical health sciences and, with additional coursework planned with an advisor, provides a solid background for application to a variety of health professional programs. In addition, for qualified students, the Department of Nutrition offers a 5-year BS/MS accelerated degree program with a major in Nutrition and a concentration in Biomedical Nutrition Science. Interested students should see the section of the catalog specific to this program or see the Nutrition program information in the Graduate Catalog.
• Community Nutrition Concentration - Students pursuing the Community Nutrition Concentration are trained in competencies needed to become a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) and to work in the community in a variety of roles, such as nutrition educators, WIC nutritionists, and worksite wellness program coordinators, and in a variety of settings, such as public health departments, community agencies, and Extension programs. Individuals with CHES certifications are commonly employed in healthcare, government, university, business, community/non-profit, and K-12 education settings. For qualified students, the Department of Nutrition offers a 5-year BS/MS accelerated degree program with a major in Nutrition and a concentration in Community Nutrition. Interested students should see the section of the catalog specific to this program or see the Nutrition program information in the Graduate Catalog.
• Dietetics Concentration – Students pursuing the Dietetics Concentration prepare to become credentialed as Registered Dietitian/Nutritionists (RDNs). The Dietetics Concentration is accredited as a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995, (312) 899-0040 ext. 5400, http://www.eatright.org. RDNs are employed in a variety of settings including hospitals, medical offices and clinics, long-term care, private practice, community settings such as health departments, other government entities including the military, food banks and other non-profits, schools, and Extension programs, food and nutrition management, collegiate and professional athletics programs, industry, and many others. Clinical RDNs may specialize in a number of areas including diabetes, pediatrics, malnutrition and critical care, cancer, gastrointestinal diseases, kidney disease, and others. Coursework emphasizes nutrition for disease prevention and treatment, nutrition education and counseling, community nutrition, food science, and foodservice management, and hands-on skills courses that prepare graduates for seamless transition to practice. Students in the Dietetics Concentration can complete both BS and MS degrees with a concentration in Clinical Nutrition in Dietetics in five years and be immediately eligible to take the RDN national credentialing exam. Separate application to the M.S. is required. Students graduating with the B.S. degree alternatively have the option to apply to accredited dietetic internship supervised practice programs across the country to pursue careers as RDNs. For details on the M.S. in Nutrition Concentration in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, see the section in the catalog specific to the Dietetics Concentration or see Nutrition program information in the Graduate Catalog. Students interested in preparing for both careers as RDNs and other health professionals should choose the Dietetics Concentration.

uTrack Requirements

Universal Tracking (uTrack) is an academic monitoring system designed to help students stay on track for timely graduation. In order to remain on track, students must complete the minimum requirements for each tracking semester, known as milestones. Milestones include successful completion of specified courses and/or attainment of a minimum GPA. uTrack requirements only affect full-time, degree-seeking students.

Transition to Upper Division

Students in the Dietetics Concentration transition to faculty advisor upon entering year three of the curriculum. In order to graduate with a major in nutrition, regardless of concentration, students must earn a grade of C or better in every required nutrition course.

Return to: College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences