COURSE CURRICULUM

The Nutrition and Wellness option in the UNH Nutrition Program is designed to provide a flexible, science-based education focused on improving health, fitness, and overall well-being through nutrition and lifestyle interventions. Students must earn a minimum grade of C-minus or better in all required nutrition courses while completing a structured curriculum that blends foundational sciences, core nutrition studies, and applied wellness-focused training. The program begins with foundation courses in human anatomy and physiology, sociology or psychology, and a statistics course to develop an understanding of the human body, behavior, and data interpretation in health contexts. Students also complete a science core that includes introductory or general chemistry, microbiology, and biological chemistry, which builds essential knowledge of chemical and biological processes that influence nutrition and metabolism. The nutrition core introduces key areas such as nutrition in health and well-being, professional perspectives in nutrition, nutritional assessment, and life cycle nutrition, which provide a broad understanding of how diet impacts health across different life stages. The wellness-focused option courses expand this knowledge with subjects such as culinary arts skills, nutrition and wellness principles, exercise and sports nutrition, nutrition education and counseling, community nutrition, and weight management concepts. A practicum course offers hands-on experience in applying nutrition and wellness principles in real-world settings, helping students develop practical skills in client interaction and health promotion. Students also complete electives at different academic levels to further personalize their studies. A required capstone experience in the senior year integrates learning from across the program, with students completing either Community Nutrition or Concepts and Controversies in Weight Management. Overall, this option prepares students for careers in fitness, wellness coaching, community health education, corporate wellness programs, and other fields focused on promoting healthy lifestyles and preventive healthcare through evidence-based nutrition practices.