Nutritional Sciences (BSc (Hons)) at University College Cork

The BSc Nutritional Sciences combines a number of scientific disciplines to provide a thorough understanding of the role of diet and nutrition in health and in the prevention of major diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and osteoporosis.

Nutritional science is the study of food as it impacts our health and is concerned with the provision of food and nutrients to the body to facilitate optimum physical and mental development and maintenance of health throughout life.

The course will give you a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between diet and health and you will learn how to apply this knowledge to the provision of nutritional advice to the public, as well as providing safe, wholesome and nutritious food to the consumer.

A six-month work placement forms an integral part of the course in Year 3. 

An application for accreditation of the course by the UK Association for Nutrition is under review.

On completion of the course you will be able to:

• apply current knowledge in nutritional science from a molecular, cellular and tissue level to the whole person and to population groups to calculate food and nutrient requirements through the life-cycle in health and disease
• devise nutritional guidance for individuals and population groups for the maintenance of good health, in the context of authoritative dietary reference and food safety standards
• employ specialist experimental skills in nutritional research and analysis
• identify and critically evaluate emerging knowledge in nutrition and use this as a basis for developing novel approaches to solving problems in industry, research/academia, healthcare and other sectors
• interpret and translate nutritional science meaningfully and communicate the science effectively
• work effectively as a nutrition professional.

This course blends basic sciences, food science, human biology and nutrition in a unique and interesting way to give you the knowledge, skills and training you need to work as a nutritional scientist

As a nutritional scientist, you will increase knowledge of the relationship between diet, health and disease through research, and apply that knowledge through the provision of sound nutritional advice, and safe wholesome and nutritious food to consumers

Lecturers are internationally recognised researchers and are deeply committed to excellence in teaching

Graduates have excellent opportunities for employment and for further career specialisation.

An application for accrediation of the course by the UK Association for Nutrition is under review.

Placement or Study Abroad Information

Year 3 students are placed in a food-related industry placement for 24 weeks (April to September) in Ireland or abroad. During this placement, you will make a significant contribution to a relevant project under the supervision of an industrial and UCC mentor.

The placement will significantly enhance your prospects for future employment and career development, as many well-known national and international brands participate in the programme.

On work placement you will gain invaluable experience and acquire or improve key transferable skills such as teamwork, decision-making and initiative, as well as building communications, management, organisational and presentation skills. 

You will also foster a deeper understanding of food and nutrition by applying the theory you will be learning in college to practical situations.

Skills and Careers Information

Nutritional Sciences graduates are equipped to work in a wide range of industries and other areas of responsibility including:

• Food
• Pharmaceuticals
• Healthcare
• Governmental and non-governmental agencies

Graduates have gone on to pursue successful careers in research and development, production, management, quality assurance and health promotion, among others.

Graduates also have many opportunities to advance to MSc and PhD courses in Nutrition and other life sciences and to pursue careers in academia.

Please note that, while the course does not qualify you to work as a dietician on graduation, many of our graduates go on to pursue one to two year postgraduate courses in Dietetics in the UK. This allows them to gain the extra clinical and relevant skills to become a qualified dietician, and many have gone on to careers in Dietetics through this route.