The BSc (NutrSc) Nutrition Major is a 90-credit undergraduate degree. At its core, it deals with how diet and nutrition affect human health and disease risk. It offers you exciting opportunities to specialize in one of 5 concentrations, to incorporate research experience, travel for field studies, or a Minor in your program. It does not lead to professional licensure as a Dietitian/Nutritionist. However, it is excellent preparation for many careers including medical school, veterinary school and other professional schools, for graduate school, or for work in the food, pharma or other industry, government or NGO, or global health organizations.
NUTRITION MAJOR PRESENTATION
Concentrations
The BSC (NutrSc) offers you the possibilty to specialize in one of four concentrations:
Food Function and Safety
This concentration covers many aspects of human nutrition and the impact of food on health. It offers a core emphasis on the scientific fundamentals of nutrition and metabolism throughout the lifespan. The specialization on food 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. Graduates are qualified for careers in pharmaceutical and/or food industries, government laboratories, the health science communications field, and national or international food support programs. Graduates often continue on to graduate studies preparing for careers in food science, research, medicine, and dentistry or as specialists in nutrition.
Global Nutrition
This concentration covers many aspects of human nutrition and food and their impact health and society at the community, and international level. It offers a core emphasis on the scientific fundamentals of nutrition and metabolism throughout the lifespan. The specialization in global nutrition emphasizes the importance of the interaction of nutrition, diet, water, environment and infection. Graduates are qualified for careers in national and international governmental and non-governmental food and health agencies, in world development programs, in the food sector, and the health science communications field. Graduates often continue on to graduate studies preparing for careers in public health, epidemiology, research, medicine, and dentistry or as specialists in nutrition.
Sports Nutrition
This concentration covers many aspects of human nutrition and physical activity on health. It offers a core emphasis on the scientific fundamentals of nutrition, metabolism and physiology throughout the lifespan. This specialization integrates the influence of exercise, and physical activity on health and chronic disease prevention. Graduates are qualified for careers in pharmaceutical and/or food industries, government laboratories, the health science communications field, and national or international food support programs. Graduates often continue on to graduate studies preparing for careers in research, education, medicine, and dentistry or as specialists in nutrition.
Metabolism, Health and Disease
This Major offers a core emphasis on the scientific fundamentals of nutrition and metabolism throughout the lifespan from the molecular to the organismal level. This concentration emphasizes the influence of diet and nutrition on human health and the pathophysiology of inherited and acquired chronic disease. The links of nutrigenomics, nutrigenetics, and biotechnology with human health and regulation of metabolism are explored.
Courses by semester
Download the appropriate course sheet for term-by-term course lists and complementary and elective courses:
Nutrition Major Advising Sheet 2022 (for students starting Fall 2022 or after)
Nutrition Major Advising Sheet (for students starting prior to Fall 2022)
Food Function and Safety
Bachelor of Science (Nutritional Sciences) (B.Sc.(Nutr.Sc.)) - Major Nutrition - Food Function and Safety(90 Credits)
Program Requirement:
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: http://www.mcgill.ca/macdonald/studentinfo/advising
Required Courses (63 credits)
All required courses must be passed with a minimum grade of C.
Complementary Courses (12 credits)
12 credits of complementary courses are selected as follows:
Common Complementary Courses
6 credits from the following courses:
6 credits from the following courses:
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.
Global Nutrition
Bachelor of Science (Nutritional Sciences) (B.Sc.(Nutr.Sc.)) - Major Nutrition - Global Nutrition(90 Credits)
Program Requirement:
This Major covers many aspects of human nutrition and food and their impact on health and society at the community and international level. It offers a core emphasis on the scientific fundamentals of nutrition and metabolism throughout the lifespan. The specialization in global nutrition emphasizes the importance of the interaction of nutrition, diet, water, environment, and infection. This degree does not lead to professional licensure as a Dietitian/Nutritionist. Graduates are qualified for careers in national and international governmental and non-governmental food and health agencies, in world development programs, in the food sector, and the health science communications field. Graduates often continue on to graduate studies preparing for careers in public health, epidemiology, research, medicine, and dentistry or as specialists in nutrition.
Please refer to "Faculty Information and Regulations" > "Minimum Credit Requirements" in this eCalendar for prerequisites and minimum credit requirements.
For information on academic advising, see: http://www.mcgill.ca/macdonald/studentinfo/advising
Required Courses (63 credits)
All required courses must be passed with a minimum grade of C.
Complementary Courses (12 credits)
12 credits of complementary courses are selected as follows:
Common Complementary Courses
6 credits selected from:
6 credits selected from:
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.
Sports Nutrition
Bachelor of Science (Nutritional Sciences) (B.Sc.(Nutr.Sc.)) - Major Nutrition - Sports Nutrition(90 Credits)
Program Requirement:
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 sports nutrition integrates the influence of exercise and physical activity on health and chronic disease prevention. 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: http://www.mcgill.ca/macdonald/studentinfo/advising
Required Courses (63 credits)
All required courses must be passed with a minimum grade of C.
Complementary Courses (12 credits)
12 credits of complementary courses are selected as follows:
Common Complementary Courses
6 credits from the following:
6 credits from:
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.
Metabolism, Health and Disease
Bachelor of Science (Nutritional Sciences) (B.Sc.(Nutr.Sc.)) - Major Nutrition - Metabolism, Health and Disease(90 Credits)
Program Requirement:
This Major offers a core emphasis on the scientific fundamentals of nutrition and metabolism throughout the lifespan from the molecular to the organismal level. This concentration emphasizes the influence of diet and nutrition on human health and the pathophysiology of inherited and acquired chronic disease. The links of nutrigenomics, nutrigenetics, and biotechnology with human health and regulation of metabolism are explored. This program does not lead to professional licensure as a dietitian/nutritionist.
Required Courses (63 credits)
All required courses must be passed with a minimum grade of C.
Complementary Courses (12 credits)
12 credits of complementary courses are selected as follows:
Common Complementary Courses
6 credits from the following:
6 credits from the following courses:
Elective Courses (15 credits)
15 credits of electives are taken to meet the minimum credit requirement for the degree. A 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.
.
Research Experience
There are a few ways to obtain research experience. The first 2 involve matching your interests to a SHN Professor's research area. Professors may or may not need assistance at a particular time. You should always have a professional curriculum vitae ready so that when opportunities arise, you can demonstrate your qualifications. The first way to get research experience is to get a scholarship to work with a stipend as part of a Professor’s research group over the summer.
The most common scholarship is the NSERC Undergraduate Summer Research Award; this award is highly competitive and requires a CGPA of at least 3.7. You should investigate how to match up with a Professor’s research program at the beginning of U2 winter term. For more information concerning this award, please contact Dr. Daiva Nielsen at daiva.nielsen [at] mcgill.ca.
The second way is to get complementary course credit through a Directed Studies-NUTR 430 3-credit course. This involves a 135-hour unpaid commitment over a term (fall, winter or summer) starting in U2W. The Professor and yourself will write a contract detailing the work to be done and the performance criteria to receive a grade in the course. This final year course involves initiative on your part and is dependent on the supervisor’s research needs.
If you are serious about completing a Directed Studies-NUTR 430 course, please fill out the Application Form and send the form with your curriculum vitae to christine.gurekian [at] mcgill.ca. It will then be sent out to SHN Professors.
Another way to obtain research experience is to complete a full-time Internship in the summer through the McEwen Family Internship Program. This can be taken as a 3 credit course as FAES 300- Internship 2. For more information, contact kendra.gray [at] mcgill.ca.
Minors
Minor programs that synergize with Nutrition include:
Field Studies Minor
Field Studies - Minor Field Studies(18 Credits)
Program Requirement:
Students participating in any one of the field study semesters, i.e., the Africa Field Study Semester, the Barbados Field Study Semester, the Barbados Interdisciplinary Tropical Studies (BITS) Field Study Semester, McGill Arctic Field Study Semester, or the Panama Field Study Semester may complete the 18-credit Minor in Field Studies.
The Minor consists of the 15 credits of a field study semester plus three additional complementary credits chosen by the student in consultation with their departmental adviser and/or the Field Study Minor adviser.
For students in the B.Sc. Liberal Program, the Field Studies Minor can serve as the breadth component.
Program descriptions for each of the field study semesters are provided below.
Note: The field study semesters are not degree programs. Credits may be counted toward McGill degrees with the permission of program advisers. Students who complete a field study semester may consult the Field Study Minor adviser about completing the Minor program as part of their McGill degree.
Africa Field Study Semester (15 credits)
The Africa Field Study Semester (AFSS) is run through McGill's Canadian Field Study in Africa Program (CFSIA).
The AFSS provides one term of integrated field study in East Africa, with emphasis on environmental conservation, culture change, and sustainable development. Students investigate challenges of sustaining biological diversity and social justice in African environments subject to cultural change, economic development, and environmental stress. Cultural and ecological variation is examined in highland, montane, rangeland, desert, riverine, salt- and fresh-water lake, coastal, and urban settings.
Africa Field Study Semester - Required Courses
6 credits
Students select one course titled "Research in Society and Development in Africa" and one course titled "Research in Ecology and Development in Africa" from the courses below.
Africa Field Study Semester - Complementary Courses
9 credits from:
* Note: Courses marked with an asterisk ("*") are offered on a rotational basis, at least 3 credits annually.
Barbados Field Study Semester (15 credits)
The Barbados Field Study Semester (BFSS) offers a unique opportunity to study at McGill University’s campus in the tropics, the Bellairs Research Institute in Barbados. The focus of this field study semester is the study of sustainability science, with emphasis on the Caribbean, which includes: a different climate and culture, field research, and conducting an applied research project. Project work is conducted with local partners and focuses on sustainability in Barbados.
Barbados Field Study Semester - Required Courses
15 credits
Barbados Interdisciplinary Tropical Studies Field Semester (15 credits)
The Barbados Interdisciplinary Tropical Studies (BITS) Field Semester is an activity-filled, hands-on experience for students with an interest in international studies with a Caribbean flavour. The focus is on sustainable agri-food, nutrition, and energy production on a tropical island with a tourist-based economy. It is offered annually (in the Summer). It consists of two 2-hour orientation sessions conducted on the Macdonald campus and at the Bellairs Research Institute in Barbados, followed by three 3-credit and one 6-credit project courses at Bellairs Research Institute. This program integrates intensive course work with group project work and contributes to the formation of professionals with planning, managing, decision-making, and communication skills. The program addresses a global need for experienced professionals capable of interacting with various levels of government, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector. BITS welcomes applications from senior undergraduate students from across the University.
Barbados Interdisciplinary Tropical Studies Field Semester - Required Courses
15 credits
Panama Field Study Semester (15 credits)
This program is offered in Panama with the support of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI).
Hands-on experience is gained through research projects organized around multidisciplinary environmental issues. The nature of these projects will centre on practical environmental problems/questions important for Panama. Students will form teams that will work with Panamanian institutions (NGO, governmental, or research).
There is a one- or two-day period of transition and 13 weeks of course attendance in Panama. Field trips will be integrated into each of the courses offered.
Panama Field Study Semester - Required Courses
9 credits
Panama Field Study Semester - Complementary Courses
6 credits
Complementary courses change from year to year. Students will register for the 6 credits offered the Winter of their participation in the field study semester.
First Winter semester complementary courses:
Second Winter semester complementary courses:
McGill Arctic Field Study Semester
Required Courses (15 credits)
9 credits
and 6 credits from
Minor Field Studies - Complementary Course
In consultation with their departmental adviser and/or the Field Study Minor adviser, students who have completed one of the field study semesters described above may select a 3-credit complementary course to complete the requirements for the Minor and ask for it to be added to their academic records.
Psychology Minor
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Minor Psychology(24 Credits)
Program Requirement:
A minor program in Psychology is available to students registered in any B.Sc. program other than Psychology. This program is intended to complement a student's primary field of study by providing a focused introduction to specialized topics in psychology.
A separate minor concentration exists for students registered in a program in the Faculty of Arts.
The Minor program for Science students requires the completion of 24 credits in Psychology, of which no more than 6 may overlap with the primary program. All courses in the Minor program must be passed with a minimum grade of C. A prerequisite to the program is PSYC 204 or equivalent.
Program Prerequisite (0-3)
Students planning to enter the Minor Psychology program are required to complete PSYC 204 Introduction to Psychological Statistics (3 credits) * or equivalent.
*Note: CEGEP students may not take PSYC 204 if they have completed Probability & Statistics or Statistics with a minimum grade of 75%.
Complementary Courses (24 credits)
3 or 6 credits selected from the following:
18 or 21 credits selected from Psychology courses at the 300 level or above.
International Agriculture Minor
Bachelor of Science (Agricultural and Environmental Sciences) (B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.)) - Minor International Agriculture(24 Credits)
Program Requirement:
Students enter this minor to acquire a global and applied understanding of agriculture as a fundamental tool to help rural development, alleviate poverty and reach food security, especially in the developing world. This program provides students with a combination of coursework at McGill together with a hands-on experience in a developing country, meeting locals and attending courses with McGill professors and/or local instructors. The costs of these field experiences may vary. The field experience (semester, short course or internship) includes developing projects in local communities, observing subsistence agriculture in situ and participating in various activities which contribute to sensitizing the students to the challenges that developing countries face. Students study water resources, sustainable development, nutrition, planning and development, and a host of other fascinating topics, allowing them to sharpen their skills for future career opportunities.
For information on academic advising, see: http://www.mcgill.ca/macdonald/studentinfo/advising
Required Courses (6 credits)
Complementary Courses (18 credits)
Students select 18 credits from either Option A or Option B
Option A
18 credits from the following:
Option B
15 credits from any of the McGill Field Study Semesters:
Africa Field Study Semester
Barbados Field Study Semester
Barbados Interdisciplinary Tropical Studies Field Semester
Panama Field Study Semester
Plus 3 credits from the list in Option A
Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Minor
Bachelor of Science (Agricultural and Environmental Sciences) (B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.)) - Minor Agribusiness Entrepreneurship(18 Credits)
Program Requirement:
This Minor is a collaboration by the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and the Desautels Faculty of Management. It provides students with an understanding of how to conceptualize, develop, and manage successful ventures in the agricultural, ag-tech, bioresource engineering, environmental, and food sectors - including for-profit private companies and social enterprises - and how to champion intrapreneurship activities in larger organizations. The program covers the essentials of management and is interdisciplinary and integrative. Many courses include a diverse set of students from multiple McGill faculties.
Within this Minor, 18 credits must be unique (only count for the Minor and do not overlap with the Major or Specialization), except for students enrolled in programs with more than 72 credits of required and complementary courses, who can count up to 6 credits of courses in the Major or Specialization.
Students in this Minor are not permitted to take the Desautels Minors in Management, Marketing, Finance or Operations Management (for non-Management students).
Minimum requirements: U2 or above; minimum 3.0 CGPA. This Minor has limited enrolment. Students should contact the program director to apply.
Required Courses (12 credits)
Complementary Courses (6 credits)
6 credits from the following:
* Note: To be counted towards the Minor in Agribusiness Entrepreneurship, the placement in FAES 300 must be approved by the program coordinator as having entrepreneurial focus.
Kinesiology Minor
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Minor Kinesiology(24 Credits)
Program Requirement:
The Minor Kinesiology is designed to provide students in B.Sc. programs with basic but comprehensive knowledge of scientific bases of human physical activity and its relationship with health and well-being.
Students registered in the Minor Kinesiology may not take additional courses outside the Faculties of Arts and of Science.
This minor program requires an application due to limited enrolment space. Please see http://www.mcgill.ca/isa/faculty-advising/minor-programs for procedures and deadlines.
Required Courses (15 credits)
Complementary Courses (9 credits)
9 credits, three of the following courses:
Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Minor
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Minor Interdisciplinary Life Sciences(24 Credits)
Program Requirement:
The Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Minor will allow students from the earth, physical, math, and computational science areas to broaden their studies with some basic life sciences, health social science, and empirical technological science. The Minor is 24 credits and allows students flexibility in their course selections. Students must take 9 credits from an extensive list of basic life science courses, 3 credits from an extensive list of health and social science courses, and 3 credits from an empirical and technological science list. The remaining 9 credits may be taken from courses listed in any of the three categories.
Please note: Students studying in Anatomy and Cell Biology; Biochemistry; Honours Immunology; Microbiology and Immunology; Neuroscience; Pharmacology; and Physiology are not permitted to complete this Minor.
Interested students should contact the Interdisciplinary Programs Adviser.
Complementary Courses (24 credits)
The 24 credits required for this program must satisfy the following criteria:
At least 18 credits must be outside the student's main discipline.
Depth requirement:
at least 6 credits must be at the 300 level or above.
Breadth requirement:
at least 9 credits must be taken from the Basic Life Sciences List,
at least 3 credits from the Health Social Sciences List,
at least 3 credits from the Empirical Science and Technology List.
The remaining 9 credits may be selected from any of the lists.
Basic Life Sciences
At least 9 credits from:
* Students take either ANAT 212 or BIOC 212, but not both.
Health Social Science
At least 3 credits from:
Empirical Science and Technology
At least 3 credits from:
* Students who have already received credit for MATH 324 will NOT receive credit for GEOG 202, MATH 203, PSYC 204, BIOL 373, MATH 204, or PSYC 305.
Credit given for statistics courses is subject to certain restrictions. Students should consult the "Course Overlap" information in the "Course Requirements" section for the Faculty of Science.
International Development Studies Minor
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Minor Concentration International Development Studies(18 Credits)
Program Requirement:
The B.A.; Minor Concentration in International Development Studies focuses on the many challenges facing developing countries, including issues related to socio-economic inequalities and well being, governance, peace and conflict, environment and sustainability, and key development-related themes.
At least 9 of the 18 credits must be at the 300 level or above.
Students who are pursuing a Field Studies program can have a portion of their Field Studies courses count towards their IDS program. See Adviser in office for details.
Required Courses (9 credits)
Complementary Courses (9 credits)
Thematic
9 credits from the following:
Agriculture
Agricultural Economics
Anthropology
Business Administration
* When topic is relevant to IDS.
Canadian Studies
East Asian Studies
Economics
English
Geography
History
Students may count either HIST 339 or POLI 347 towards their program but not both.
International Development Studies
Islamic Studies
Latin American & Caribbean Studies
* When topic is relevant to IDS.
Management Core
Management, Organizational Behavior
Management Policy
Nutrition
Political Science
Religious Studies
Sociology
Social Work
Biotechnology Minor (for Science Students)
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Minor Biotechnology (for Science Students)(24 Credits)
Program Requirement:
To obtain the Minor Biotechnology, Science students must:
a) satisfy both the requirements for the departmental program and for the Minor;
b) complete 24 credits, 18 of which must be exclusively for the Minor program.*
* Approved substitutions must be made for any of the required courses which are part of the student's main program.
Required Courses (15 credits)
* Students may take either BIOL 201 or BIOC 212.
Complementary Courses (9 credits)
9 credits selected from courses outside the department of the student's main program. Students may select three courses from one of the lists below, or may choose three alternate courses with adviser approval.
Biomedicine
Chemical Engineering
Chemistry
General
Immunology
Management
Microbiology
Molecular Biology (Biology)
Molecular Biology (Biochemistry)
Physiology
Pollution
It is important to note that a Minor must have 18 credits that do not overlap with the Major program. A minor is not required, but may allow you to develop your other interests that link with nutrition to develop a unique and more intensive specialization. Plan your minor early in your program, by U2 fall term to avoid a delay in graduation.
Career Paths
The Nutrition Major is excellent preparation for:
- Admission to professional schools (Medicine, Dentistry, Optometry, Veterinary School)
- Graduate studies in nutrition, other life sciences, MBA.
- The food and pharma industries in sales, product development and testing, education, marketing, industrial associations
- Government and non-governmental organizations in program administration and development, public policy development, and research
- International nutrition and health promotion organizations like UN, FAO, WHO
- In addition, there is a high demand for people who are both science-trained and good writers and communicators for technical report writing, education of health professionals and sales teams, communications of science to the public, media of all types.
- CaPS is valuable resource to help you get started.
FAQs
WELCOME to The School of Human Nutrition - Macdonald Campus - McGill University
*IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR NEW STUDENTS*
I have Freshman courses left to complete. What is the deadline to take them?
You must complete all your freshman courses now if you have not done so already. If you have freshman courses still to take, it is urgent and essential that you take them in U1 at the latest.
Keep in mind that FDSC 230-Organic Chemistry is a prerequisite or corequisite for several U1 courses.
If you wish to take equivalent courses downtown, please refer to the course equivalency list between the two campuses. If you take a direct equivalent at the downtown campus, you do not need to do anything further, it will appear on your transcript.
How do I choose my courses each term?
Each term, take the required courses as a block, according to the Advising Sheet (below). Do not delay any course until the following year even if it is not a prerequisite for another course. Each block of required courses is timetabled to not have any conflicts. If you delay a course, it may not fit into your timetable again as it may conflict with other required courses.
ADVISING SEQUENCE - for students who started the Nutrition Major before Fall 2022
ADVISING SEQUENCE 2022 - for students who started the Nutrition Major in Fall 2022 or after
What do the 200, 300, 400, 500 –level designations tell me about courses?
200-level courses are introductory and should be taken at the beginning of your program.
300 and 400 level are intermediate, and usually have prerequisites.
500-level courses are open to senior undergrads only. These can only be taken in your final year. You require at least 12 credits at or above the 400-level.
When should I register for my courses?
Register for fall and winter semesters as soon as registration opens; see the Important Dates website! Course sections, especially labs, can fill up fast and registering early will help ensure you get the courses and sections you want.
'Prerequisite and Test Score Error'. What should I do?
If you are unable to register for a course and get the message: “prerequisite and test score error”, this usually means that the prerequisites for this course are not in your file in Minerva. If you think you have the prerequisites, contact your advisor; include your student ID, course number, the specific error message, the prerequisites and why you think you should take the course.
'Course enrolment is full'. What should I do?
If the course is full, keep checking as space often opens up as students change their schedules.
For a required course: email your Advisor to check (include your student ID and course number).
For a complementary course: register for another alternative course, and keep checking to see if space opens up.
Labs: If all lab sections with openings conflict with other courses, register for 1 lab section and attend it in the first week of classes. Speak to the lab coordinator on the first day to see if you can change lab sections.
For an elective: if an elective course is full, you will need to choose a different elective course. Your Advisor cannot make any special requests for you to register in an elective at capacity.
I don't have the prerequisites for a course, can I still take it?
NO. Prerequisites are required and there are no exceptions.
Always refer to the ecalendar to make sure that you have the prerequisites for the courses you need and/or want to take.
If you are taking a course downtown and you are not sure if you have the prerequisites, you can refer to the equivalencies between the two campuses or contact your Advisor. For example, if you want to take EDKP 395 downtown, the prerequisites are PHGY 209 and PHGY 210, which are equivalent to ANSC 323 and ANSC 424. If you have taken these 2 ANSC courses, you have the prerequisites for the course.
How do I choose my electives?
Use your freedom to follow your interests and take something that excites you!
Go to the ecalendar to get ideas. Filter by Faculty, level and semester to help narrow down your search.
Some examples of electives that students in the Nutrition Major take are
How do I declare my concentration in the Nutrition Major?
Fill out the ‘program change form’ and send to christine.gurekian [at] mcgill.ca by the end of Fall U2.
Full-time vs Part-time Status
If you take 15 credits per term, you will be on track to graduate in 3 years with a total of 90 credits. You can maintain full time status if you take only 12 credits in a term, but this will delay your graduation date unless you make them up.
You must be enrolled in 27 graded credits per academic year to be eligible for scholarships and most student loans require a minimum of 12 credits/term.
International students who have student visas cannot register for less than 12 credits per semester. Make sure to double check with International Student Services.
Can I take summer courses?
In general, required courses in the Nutrition Major are not offered in the summer. Some students take elective credits in the summer.
Check with Summer Studies to see a list of summer course offerings.
Registration opens in March.
Can I take more than 15 credits per term?
If you are in satisfactory standing, you may take up to 18 credits per term.
What’s the Pass/Fail (P/F) and Satisfactory /Unsatisfactory (S/U) option on courses?
Some courses at McGill are graded as pass/fail, but this does not apply to courses that are part of your Major. You may take a maximum of 1 course per term as an S/U option, but this designation only applies to ELECTIVES. Do not make the mistake of selecting this as an option for a required or complementary course. After the add/drop period, the S/U option CANNOT be removed, no exceptions.
Can I complete a minor?
You can complete a Minor, but it is your responsibility to meet all of the requirements for both your major and minor programs. It can be challenging to complete all requirements for your program and the Minor in 3 years. A Minor must have 18 unique credits: therefore if the Minor is 24 credits, 6 credits (typically two courses) can “overlap” and count as required or complementary credits for both your Major and Minor. However, any course counts only once towards the total of credits required for graduation. The credits in your Minor will replace your elective credits.
To apply for a Minor, fill out the Minor Approval Form and get approval from the Minor Advisor. Once this is done, send your signed form to your Major program Advisor.
Common Minors completed by Nutrition Major students are Psychology, Statistics, Kinesiology, Environment, Marketing and International Development Studies.
How many credits to I need to get my degree?
Most students coming from the Québec education system require 90 credits. Regardless, this number will be on the letter of acceptance that was sent to you from McGill. Any advanced standing will be on your transcript at the beginning of the academic year. If you were admitted with advanced standing, see your advisor to discuss potential course equivalencies. Regardless of advanced standing, to get a McGill degree you need at least 60 credits of McGill courses.
Can I take a semester or year off?
Yes you can. Please contact the Student Affairs Office at studentinfo.macdonald [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Inquiry%20into%20taking%20a%20semester%20off) to inquire. If you decide to take a semester off, note that your sequence of courses will be interrupted and your graduation will be delayed.
Can I take courses downtown?
Yes, although a rule specific to our Faculty states that 2/3 of the credits required when you began your B.Sc. (Nutr. Sc.) must be taken on the Macdonald Campus. This means 60 credits if you enter from a science DEC in CEGEP, or 2/3 of the credits remaining for your degree if you are given credit from other previous studies.
What is a passing grade at McGill?
McGill has a ‘C’ minimum policy: you must get higher than ‘D’ in your pre-requisite, required and complementary courses.
Required courses: If you get a ‘D’ grade in a required course, you will need to take the course again and obtain a higher grade in order to make the course count towards your degree requirements.
Complementary courses: If you get a ‘D’ grade in a complementary course, you can either take the course again or choose another from the list.
Courses with a grade of ‘D’ which are not re-taken count as electives.
Refer to McGill's grading policy
I took PSYC 204 as an equivalent to AEMA 310, how do I get the additional assignment?
There are a few equivalencies to your statistics requirement AEMA 310 that can be found here. Note, that you will NOT receive credits for two statistics courses. For example, if you take AEMA 310 and MGCR 271, you will only receive credits for AEMA 310.
Note that as of Fall 2022, PSYC 204 is not equivalent to AEMA 310.
If you took PSYC 204 (SUMMER 2022 AND PRIOR) and would like to get the additional assignment for equivalency, please
1-Contact the Professor for AEMA 310-Statistical Methods 1 detailed on the ecalendar and ask them for the additional assignment.
2-Submit the assignment to the Professor with the filled out ‘Course Equivalency Form’
3-Send the signed ‘Course Equivalency Form’ to your Advisor christine.gurekian [at] mcgill.ca
Can I take a course outside McGill?
You can take a course outside McGill if you have had it preapproved as an equivalency to a McGill course. Please refer to ‘Studying Away from McGill’ and watch the informative video to guide you.
Can I defer an exam?
In some rare cases, exams can be deferred. Please see details on the Student Affairs Office exam site on how to proceed.
How can I get research experience at part of my Nutrition Major?
There are a few ways to obtain research experience. The first 2 involve matching your interests to a SHN Professor's research area. Professors may or may not need assistance at a particular time. You should always have a professional curriculum vitae ready so that when opportunities arise, you can demonstrate your qualifications. The first way to get research experience is to get a scholarship to work with a stipend as part of a Professor’s research group over the summer.
The most common scholarship is the NSERC Undergraduate Summer Research Award; this award is highly competitive and requires a CGPA of at least 3.7. You should investigate how to match up with a Professor’s research program at the beginning of U2 winter term. For more information concerning this award, please contact Dr. Daiva Nielsen at daiva.nielsen [at] mcgill.ca.
The second way is to get complementary course credit through a Directed Studies-NUTR 430 3-credit course. This involves a 135-hour unpaid commitment over a term (fall, winter or summer) starting in U2W. The Professor and yourself will write a contract detailing the work to be done and the performance criteria to receive a grade in the course. This final year course involves initiative on your part and is dependent on the supervisor’s research needs.
If you are serious about completing a Directed Studies-NUTR 430 course, please fill out the Application Form and send the form with your curriculum vitae to christine.gurekian [at] mcgill.ca. It will then be sent out to SHN Professors.
Another way to obtain research experience is to complete a full-time Internship in the summer through the McEwen Family Internship Program. This can be taken as a 3 credit course as FAES 300- Internship 2. For more information, contact kendra.gray [at] mcgill.ca.
I would like to travel during my degree. Are there opportunities in the Nutrition Major?
In order to inquire about McGill’s Exchange program, please visit www.mcgill.ca/mcgillabroad. For this option, note that you will need to be flexible with your schedule and may need to add an extra semester to your Major. Ideally, you keep your electives for U3 winter, and go on exchange then.
There are several field studies programs in the Faculty which can be incorporated into the Global Nutrition concentration. This requires prior planning, some cost to you, and consultation with your advisor who will help you interface with the Committee on Academic Standing if necessary.
Field Studies programs include:
The Africa Field Studies Semester offers students an opportunity to study in East Africa for a semester starting every January.
The Barbados Interdisciplinary Tropical Studies (BITS) 15-credits of intensive course and project work during the summer (May - August)
The Africa Field Studies Semester offers students an opportunity to study in East Africa for a semester starting every January.
The Barbados Field Study Semester is a program where students earn 15 credits through field courses while living at McGill's Bellairs Research Institute in Barbados.
The Panama Field Study Semester is a joint venture between McGill University and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) in Panama. It is a 15-credit program offered in the Winter term (January to April)
Sustainable Agriculture & Food Security in Cuba is an intensive 3-credit course to allow students to gain experience in agro-ecological technologies and examine issues related to food security and sustainable agriculture using the Cuban model
Can I transfer to the Dietetics Major?
Yes, some students apply to transfer into the Dietetics Major mid-way through their studies. Admission into Dietetics is only in the fall semester and is competitive based solely on CGPA.
The ‘Readmission and Transfer’ page will provide you with all the important information you need for your transfer. In order to transfer: fill out the ‘Program Change Form’ and send to the Student Affairs Office at studentinfo.macdonald [at] mcgill.ca before March 1st (if you need to complete a French Proficiency exam) and June 1st (if no exam is required). The Student Affairs Office makes the decision for admission and will contact you about your transfer.
The Dietetics Major takes 3.5 years due to the sequencing of the Stage courses, and therefore even if you have already completed some of the required courses, the program will still take 3.5 years. It is not possible to complete it faster.
If you transfer, your CGPA does not change, it carries into the new major. Alternatively, if you do not want to transfer and wish to graduate in the Nutrition Major, you can consider applying for the MScA Dietetics Credentialing option if you have a high CGPA.
I think I’m on track to graduate, but how do I know for sure?
Keep track of your progress through your Major by using the fillable Advising Sheet. If you have any questions, make sure to contact your Advisor.
How do I apply for graduation?
May graduation - apply for graduation in February
January graduation – apply to graduate by November 30
August graduation – apply to graduate by March 31
Go to the “Student Records Menu” on Minerva and choose “Apply for Graduation for Your Primary Curriculum (1st degree)”. https://www.mcgill.ca/graduation/applying
