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Program Requirements

2024-2025 Academic Year

Chair

Daphne Lordly, PDt FDC, MAHE (MSVU), DEd (UNISA), Professor

The Bachelor of Science in Applied Human Nutrition (BScAHN) prepares students for a wide choice of careers in nutrition and for the professional practice of dietetics. The programs use classroom, community service, and practice learning to develop an interdisciplinary knowledge core in nutrition as related to health, wellness and illness and their determinants. Through rich and varied experiential learning opportunities, students gain practical skills related to application and interpretation of knowledge. Faculty members maintain professional ties with society and grassroots community organizations, hospitals, community services, research organizations and businesses that enrich students’ educational experience through placements, research projects and other professional activities.

Admission Requirements

Please refer to sections 2.1.4 Admission Requirements and 2.1.6 Additional Admissions Requirements.

Admission of Mature Students

Please read section 2.1.4.3 Mature Admissions Policy carefully. Entrants under the mature admission policy are not admitted to a degree program until 3.0 units are completed. Students wishing to enter applied human nutrition should consult with the Department upon admission to the University to plan their sequence of courses.

Transfer Requirements

Students who wish to transfer credits from another degree program at the Mount or another post-secondary institution should refer to section 2.1.4.4 Requirements for Transfer Students. While every effort will be made to accommodate transfer students into the program, students should realize that because professional programs are highly structured and require coursework to be taken in specified sequence, extended time may be needed to complete degree requirements. Students are urged to contact the Department as early as possible if a transfer is contemplated.

Programs

Students may apply to the Nutrition or Dietetics programs as described below. Application to the Internship Education Program is made during study in the Dietetics program. Application to the Food and Nutrition Practicum Program is made during study in either the BScAHN Nutrition or Dietetics programs.

Students in their final year of the BScAHN (Dietetics) may apply through EQual™ Canada for a post-degree dietetic internship. Students may also choose to pursue a graduate studies degree in nutrition with a combined internship. See the graduate calendar for more information.

Admission is competitive for both the Internship Education and the Food and Nutrition Practicum programs.

Immunization Requirement
To be able to participate in courses, including internships and the food and nutrition practicum, which have placements or labs in health facilities it is necessary to have a physician complete a health screening form that verifies your immunization for contagious diseases. There is a fee for the immunization and your health plan may cover all or part of this cost. Please contact the Department for more information.

Criminal Records Check
Students are advised that certain courses including internships and the food and nutrition practicum, which have placements in health facilities and community organizations require a recent and currently valid Criminal Record Check including a Vulnerable Sector Search.

BScAHN Nutrition

The nutrition program is best suited to those students who want to combine their nutrition studies with more electives.

Nutrition is the study of the relationships among food, its nutrients, the environment and health. Careful choice of electives in the Nutrition option of the BScAHN prepares graduates to seek work in a variety of nutrition-related fields including commodity marketing boards, food retailing, government, social services, homemaking services, and the agri-food sector. Graduates may also choose to pursue additional studies for careers in school-based community teaching, research, or business.

Program Requirements
Students must successfully fulfill the following requirements:
❏ obtain a GPA of 2.0 or higher in 6.0 units of NUTR courses taken to complete degree requirements
❏ students may complete a 3.0 unit minor by fulfilling the requirements for the minor as defined by the department offering the minor. Students must achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the required 3.0 units
❏ successful completion of the following 20.0 units:

Required Courses (9.5 units)
❏ BIOL 2202 0.5 unit
❏ BIOL 2205 0.5 unit
❏ BIOL 2206 0.5 unit
❏ CHEM 1011 0.5 unit
❏ CHEM 1012 0.5 unit
❏ CHEM 2401 0.5 unit
❏ CHEM 3501/BIOL 3501 0.5 unit
❏ CHEM 3502/BIOL 3502 0.5 unit
❏ MATH 2208 0.5 unit
❏ MATH 2209 0.5 unit
❏ NUTR 1010 0.5 unit
❏ NUTR 1102 0.5 unit
❏ NUTR 1103 0.5 unit
❏ NUTR 1106 0.5 unit
❏ NUTR 2204 0.5 unit
❏ NUTR 2211 0.5 unit
❏ NUTR 2324 0.5 unit
❏ NUTR 3311 0.5 unit
❏ NUTR 3326 0.5 unit

Required Electives (10.5 units)
❏ 1.5 units of NUTR at the 3000 level or above (excluding NUTR 4501, 4502 and 4503)
❏ 2.0 units of Arts and/or Science courses (in addition to those listed above)
❏ 7.0 units of electives
Note: Students are encouraged to consult with their advisor to ensure electives are chosen to benefit their career goals.

Note: Students who fail an Applied Human Nutrition (NUTR) academic course twice will be dismissed from the degree.

*Important Note: The BScAHN (Nutrition) does not include the courses necessary to meet the EQual™ Canada guidelines for application to a dietetic internship.

BScAHN Dietetics

The dietetics program is for those students who want to become professional dietitians (PDt or RD), legally registered to practice in the Canadian province(s) of their choice. The BScAHN (Dietetics) program supports the achievement of the Integrated Competencies for Dietetic Education and Practice (ICDEP) and meets the guidelines of the EQual™ Canada so that graduates can apply for a dietetic internship and become registered.

Dietetics integrates and applies the principles of food, nutrition and health to promote the nutritional well-being of the public. Dietetics prepares students for careers in a variety of settings such as community nutrition, long-term care, hospitals, home care, fitness centres, or private practice. Dietitians are increasingly found in non-traditional roles such as supermarkets, food industry, food and equipment sales, and health care management.

Program Requirements
Students must successfully fulfill the following requirements:
❏ obtain a GPA of 2.0 or higher in 8.0 units of NUTR courses taken to complete degree requirements
❏ students may complete a 3.0 unit minor by fulfilling the requirements for the minor as defined by the department offering the minor. Students must achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the required 3.0 units
❏ successful completion of the following 20.0 units:

Required Dietetics Courses (4.5 units)
❏ NUTR 3315 0.5 unit
❏ NUTR 3325 0.5 unit
❏ NUTR 3407 0.5 unit
❏ NUTR 4400 0.5 unit
❏ NUTR 4408 0.5 unit
❏ NUTR 4409 0.5 unit
❏ NUTR 4414 0.5 unit
❏ NUTR 4417 0.5 unit
❏ NUTR 4444 0.5 unit

Required Electives (6.0 units)
❏ 0.5 unit of NUTR in addition to those listed above
❏ 0.5 unit of FSGN
❏ 0.5 unit of BUSI, THMT, or ECON
❏ 2.0 units of Arts and/or Science courses (in addition to those listed above)
❏ 2.5 units of electives

Note: Students are encouraged to consult with their advisor to ensure electives are chosen to benefit their career goals.

Note: Students who fail an Applied Human Nutrition (NUTR) academic course twice will be dismissed from the degree.

Internship Education Program

The Internship Education Program (IEP) enables students to build on theoretical knowledge and internship experiences to fulfill the competencies required by PDEP/EQual™ to reach entry-level professional dietetic competence. Students in the IEP complete three internship courses designed to provide the necessary experiences in clinical, community and administrative areas. The first course is normally integrated between the third and fourth years of study in the BScAHN (Dietetics) and the second and third courses follow the fourth year of study. Interns must be prepared to relocate for their internship courses and to accept little to no financial compensation.

Eligibility
In order to apply for admission to the IEP students must be enrolled full-time in the BScAHN (Dietetics) at the Mount; must have completed a minimum of 10.0 units; must have achieved a GPA of 3.0 or higher in BScAHN (Dietetics) program required courses; achieved a passing grade in each of these courses; and a minimum grade of B- in required NUTR courses including NUTR 2204, 2211, 2324, 3311, 3315, 3325, 3326, 3407, 4400, 4408, 4409, 4414, 4417 and 4444.

Prior to the Level I internship course (NUTR 4501), students will normally have completed NUTR 3311, 3315, 3325, 3326, 3407 and CHEM/BIOL 3502; as well as the prerequisites for these courses. Students are advised to consult their faculty advisor early in their program to discuss eligibility and course scheduling and to seek related work experiences in the summers preceding application.

Application
A formal application for admission to the IEP is required. Application forms are available from the Department of Applied Human Nutrition and must be completed and returned to the Department by December 15. Students can apply only twice for the IEP and admission decisions are final.

Admission Procedure and Criteria
Admission to the IEP is competitive and based on established criteria that follows a standard process is conducted by a committee consisting of the department Chair (or designate), the Internship Coordinator, a representative from the professional dietetic community and a graduate of the Mount’s IEP. The number of qualified applicants admitted each year is dependent on IEP resources. Meeting minimum qualifications does not guarantee admission.

Admission to the IEP is conditional pending winter term final grade results, which must meet grade requirements indicated above.

Students should note that details of criteria and process can be found in the IEP Policy & Procedure Manual.

Standards
In order to remain in the IEP, students must adhere to the Program Policies and Procedures, including those for withdrawal and temporary withdrawal from internships.

There are three possible grades for internships:
P Pass. Students continue to the next internship course.
NCR No credit repeat. Students must repeat the internship course and pass before continuing to the next internship. Normally a student may receive only one NCR grade and remain in the degree program.
F Fail. A failing grade in an internship results in dismissal from the IEP (students may still complete the BScAHN).

Program Requirements
Students must successfully fulfill the following requirements:

❏ successful completion of the BScAHN (Dietetics) program
❏ NUTR 4501 1.0 unit
❏ NUTR 4502 1.0 unit
❏ NUTR 4503 1.0 unit
❏ obtain a GPA of 3.0 or higher in 8.0 units of NUTR courses
❏ achieve a minimum grade of B- in NUTR 2204, 2211, 2324, 3311, 3315, 3325, 3326, 3407, 4400, 4408, 4409, 4414, 4417 and 4444
❏ achieve a grade of P in each of the 3.0 units of required internship placements (NUTR 4501, 4502 and 4503) Note: Internship courses (NUTR 4501, 4502 and 4503) cannot be counted in the calculation of the GPA.
❏ students may complete a 3.0 unit minor by fulfilling the requirements for the minor as defined by the department offering the minor. Students must achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the required 3.0 units

Food and Nutrition Practicum

The Food and Nutrition Practicum combines course work with a work experience placement in the food or nutrition fields.Students can apply to the practicum program by January 31 of the third year of study in the BScAHN program or after the completion of 15.0 units. This is a limited enrollment program with a competitive selection process. Students must be prepared to relocate for their practicum and to receive little to no financial compensation.

Minimum requirements for acceptance into the Food and Nutrition Practicum Program are a GPA of 2.7 in 10.0 of the required academic units completed and a grade of at least C- in each of these units.

Students accepted into the Internship Education Program are not eligible for the Food and Nutrition Practicum Program.

Program Requirements
Students must fulfill the following requirements:
❏ successful completion of the BScAHN (Dietetics) or (Nutrition) program
❏ NUTR 4500 1.0 unit
❏ an overall GPA of 2.7 and a grade of at least C- or more in all courses counted for the degree beyond the first 5.0 units taken.
❏ adherence to the Food and Nutrition Practicum – Terms and Conditions, including those for withdrawal and temporary withdrawal from internships.

There are three possible grades for the Food and Nutrition Practicum:
• P Pass.
• NCR No credit repeat. Students must repeat the course and pass. Normally a student may receive only one NCR grade and remain in the Food and Nutrition Practicum Program.
• F Fail. A failing grade in a practicum results in dismissal from the Food and Nutrition Practicum (students may still complete the BScAHN).

Honours Degree

Students wishing to obtain an honours degree must make formal application through the department Chair by May 1 of the third year of the program or after the completion of 15.0 units. Students are encouraged to apply earlier in the program so that the appropriate course can be selected.

Minimum requirements for acceptance into the honours are a GPA of 3.0 in 10.0 of the required academic units completed and a grade of at least C- in each of these units.

Students must fulfill the following requirements:
❏ fulfilment of all the requirements of the 20.0 unit degree including the completion of NUTR 4499*
❏ 1.0 unit from each core group A, B, and C listed in the Bachelor of Arts (General Studies):

Core A – Sciences & Mathematics (1.0 unit)
Core B – Social Sciences (1.0 unit)
Core C – Humanities (1.0 unit)

❏ obtain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and a grade of at least C- in 10.0 units of the required honours courses
❏ obtain an overall GPA of 3.0 or better in all courses counted for the degree beyond the first 5.0 units taken.

Note: First-class honours will be awarded to students who maintain a GPA of 3.5 or better in 10.0 units in the honours subject and no grade below B- in all courses counted for the degree beyond the first 5.0 units taken.

*Students in the IEP or Food and Nutrition Practicum must also successfully complete the required internships or practicum.

Minors

Science Minor in Applied Human Nutrition

Students in a Bachelor of Science program may complete a science minor in Applied Human Nutrition by fulfilling the following requirements:
❏ 3.0 units selected from NUTR 1102, 1103, 1106, 2204, 2211, 3325, 4400, 4408, 4409
Students must meet the prerequisites for all courses.

Note: The courses listed under the science minor may be used to fulfill Core A – Science & Mathematics but may not be counted as professional electives.

Professional Minor in Applied Human Nutrition

Students in a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science or Professional Studies program may complete a professional minor in Applied Human Nutrition by fulfilling the following requirements:
❏ 3.0 units selected from NUTR 1102, 1103, 1106, 2204, 2211, 2240, 2300, 2324, 3205, 3315, 3326, 3330, 4414, 4417
Students must meet the prerequisites for all courses.

Academic Note: This web-based calendar information is applicable for the 2024-2025 academic year which runs from September 01, 2024 to August 31, 2025.

For information on previous years, please consult the University Academic Calendars web page.