Nutrition, BA

Degree: Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Major: Nutrition

Program Overview

The undergraduate degree in nutrition is appropriate for students who wish to:

  1. pursue graduate programs in nutritional biochemistry, dietetics, public health and community nutrition or other biomedical sciences
  2. enter professional schools of dentistry, medicine, physical therapy, or pharmacy 
  3. apply to dietetic internships or approved experience programs in order to prepare for the professional practice of dietetics
  4. pursue careers with the government or in the food or pharmaceutical industry

This major offers flexibility in course selection within a framework of general program requirements. The selection of courses depends on the student’s choice of emphasis. Students wishing to qualify for admission to professional or graduate programs need to include specific courses considered prerequisites for admission.

The BA in Nutrition differs from the BS in Nutrition in one aspect: it does not require CHEM 113 or Statistics.

This degree program offers the opportunity to study the Science of Nutrition in a more flexible way than the BS program. It is particularly well-suited for students who wish to complete a double major, or who are interested in a dual-degree program.

Learning Outcomes

  • Define nutrition and basic terms such as essential nutrients, vitamins, minerals, classes of nutrients, nutrient and energy density, Recommended Dietary Allowance and Adequate Intake.
  • Describe the metabolic roles of carbohydrate, dietary fiber, lipids/fatty acids, protein/amino acids and minerals, and the interactions among them, and identify the clinical signs and symptoms of inadequacy, deficiency and toxicity.
  • Discuss vitamins in detail, including classification, metabolic rates, functions, sources, implications of toxicity and deficiency, appropriate determination of human need, and requirements throughout the lifecycle.
  • Explain the basic foundations of nutrition in inorganic and organic chemistry, biology, and biochemistry.
  • Identify government agencies associated with food distribution, food/nutrition policy making, regulation and monitoring and describe the history and current status of the regulatory climate for food safety issues in the U.S.
  • Discuss the role and influence of sociological, psychological, economic, and cultural/ethnic factors on food/nutrition behaviors/decisions and consumption patterns in the U.S.
  • Explain the role of health disparities in shaping health outcomes particularly related to food intake, food selection and availability, food environments.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the evidence supporting the positive impact on health and well-being from healthy lifestyles and perform basic lifestyle assessments using validated tools for specific categories of healthy lifestyle behaviors.
  • Discuss the science, rationale, and validity of various metabolic health and nutrition assessment tools, screens, and methodologies routinely used in clinical/research settings.
  • Compare the strengths, weaknesses, and limitations of different validated (or not
    validated) metabolic health and nutrition assessment tools, screens, and methodologies.
  • Examine data generated from validated metabolic health and nutrition assessment tools, screens, and methodologies to determine proper application, recommendation, or significance.
  • Interpret nutrition science and utilize research outcomes to appropriately address food and nutrition problems in the clinical and public health sectors.
  • Critique original research articles and communicate research findings to both academic and lay audiences.

Didactic Program in Dietetics

Students interested in applying to dietetic internships must meet specific course requirements (Didactic Program in Dietetics) as required by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. These requirements are met in the courses that comprise the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). A department advisor should be consulted in the first year to plan the dietetics coursework.

The DPD at Case Western Reserve University is currently granted Accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 800.877.1600. 

Undergraduate Policies

For undergraduate policies and procedures, please review the Undergraduate Academics section of the General Bulletin.

Accelerated Master's Programs

Undergraduate students may participate in accelerated programs toward graduate or professional degrees. For more information and details of the policies and procedures related to accelerated studies, please visit the Undergraduate Academics section of the General Bulletin.