Department of Nutrition (GRAD)
The Gillings School's Department of Nutrition is a global leader in research and training. The department is the only nutrition department in the United States situated in both a school of public health and a school of medicine. Members engage in innovative work that capitalizes on both these schools’ approaches to health, and thus the department has an unusual breadth of scientific and policy approaches. The department’s faculty expertise spans from cell to society and moves from discovery to delivery. The faculty and students work throughout North Carolina and reach populations in China, India, Malawi, Spain, and the Philippines, to name a few.
The Department of Nutrition’s mission is to improve and protect the public’s health through teaching, research, and practices that foster optimal nutrition. Our vision is to achieve optimal nutrition for all people around the globe.
Master of Public Health (M.P.H.)
The UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health’s master of public health (M.P.H.) program is for people who are passionate about solving urgent local and global public health problems. With a legacy of outstanding education, cutting edge research and globally-recognized leadership, the UNC Gillings School is creating the next generation of public health leaders through our integrated training program and 21st century curriculum. The Department of Nutrition hosts the Nutrition, Food Systems and Health Concentration as well as the Nutrition and Dietetics Concentration. Upon successful completion of the program, Nutrition and Dietetics concentration graduates will be eligible to take the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) credentialing exam to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.
Prerequisite courses that must be complete prior to starting the Nutrition and Dietetics Concentration are: Chemistry 1*, Chemistry 2*, Organic Chemistry*, Biochemistry*, Human Anatomy*, Human Physiology*, Microbiology with Lab, Human Nutrition, General Psychology, Intro to Anthropology or Sociology
*For these courses, a lab is recommended but not required for admission. Microbiology lab is required.
Master of Science (M.S.)
The MS degree in Nutrition is offered to those students who wish to increase their knowledge of nutrition science and to acquire skills in laboratory and/or population-based research. This degree is useful for students interested in nutrition research or in career in industry, as well as for students considering pursuit of a doctoral degree in medicine or in other areas of public health and biomedical sciences. MS students will perform advanced research in nutrition and take graduate nutrition courses that will provide the information and experience needed to help them choose their career path. Additionally, for those students who are uncertain about whether they wish to enter the Department’s Doctoral program, the MS program offers an excellent opportunity to determine whether a more advanced degree would be appropriate. In summary, the MS program in Nutrition provides students the opportunity to explore nutrition at an advanced level.
Prerequisite courses that must be complete prior to starting the program are: Anatomy and Physiology, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Human Nutrition
The MS is also offered as a dual degree program with the BSPH in Nutrition. The program can be completed in one calendar year (summer, fall, spring) following completion of the BSPH in Nutrition program.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
The doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) in the Department of Nutrition develops students' research and teaching skills through coursework, research, practice opportunities and preliminary doctoral examinations. Together, these experiences prepare graduates for careers in scientific research or teaching at universities, in federal or state agencies, and in industry or private research institutions. Students may minor in other fields, such as epidemiology. Doctoral program opportunities are available at the UNC–Chapel Hill campus and the Nutrition Research Institute (NRI).
Prerequisite courses that must be complete prior to starting the program are: Anatomy and Physiology, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Human Nutrition.
Courses
Numbered 400-999:
Nutrition, Master's Program (M.S.)
The MS degree in Nutrition is offered to those students who wish to increase their knowledge of nutrition science and to acquire skills in laboratory and/or population-based research. This degree is useful for students interested in nutrition research or in career in industry, as well as for students considering pursuit of a doctoral degree in medicine or in other areas of public health and biomedical sciences. MS students will perform advanced research in nutrition and take graduate nutrition courses that will provide the information and experience needed to help them choose their career path. Additionally, for those students who are uncertain about whether they wish to enter the Department’s Doctoral program, the MS program offers an excellent opportunity to determine whether a more advanced degree would be appropriate. In summary, the MS program in Nutrition provides students the opportunity to explore nutrition at an advanced level.
The MS is also offered as a dual degree program with the BSPH in Nutrition. The program can be completed in one calendar year (summer, fall, spring) following completion of the BSPH in Nutrition program.
Course Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Public Health Foundation Courses | ||
| SPHG 600 | Foundations of Public Health 1 | 3 |
| Core Courses | ||
| BIOS 600 | Principles of Statistical Inference | 2-3 |
| or BBSP 710 | Biostatistics for Laboratory Scientists | |
| NUTR 600 | Human Metabolism: Macronutrients | 3 |
| NUTR 620 | Human Metabolism: Micronutrients | 3 |
| NUTR 622 | Nutrition Research Seminar | 1 |
| NUTR 765 | Foundations in Nutrition Epidemiology | 3 |
| or EPID 600 | Principles of Epidemiology for Public Health | |
| or EPID 710 | Fundamentals of Epidemiology | |
| NUTR 910 | Nutrition Research 2 | 12 |
| Electives | ||
| Graduate-level Electives 3 | 9 | |
| Thesis/Substitute or Dissertation | ||
| NUTR 993 | Master's Research and Thesis | 3 |
| Minimum Hours | 39-40 | |
- 1
Students with a prior public health degree are not required to take SPHG 600; exemptions are available for those with non-public health degrees from accredited SPHs. Students should discuss with their Academic Coordinator.
- 2
NUTR 910 is a repeatable course every semester for variable credits hours, for a total of 12 credit hours.
- 3
See list of suggested elective course options below. Not an exhaustive list. Work with Academic Coordinator to plan best courses for student plan.
Elective Course Options
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NUTR 709 | Medical Nutrition Therapy 1 | 3 |
| NUTR 711 | Nutrition Across the Lifecycle | 3 |
| NUTR 723 | Community Nutrition | 3 |
| NUTR 745 | International Nutrition | 3 |
| NUTR 770 | Clinical Trials in Nutrition | 3 |
| NUTR 749 | mHealth for Behavior Change | 2 |
| NUTR 805 | Nutrition Policy | 3 |
| NUTR 865 | Advanced Nutritional Biochemistry: Nutrigenomics and Precision Nutrition | 2 |
| EPID 710 | Fundamentals of Epidemiology | 3 |
| EPID 716 | Epidemiologic Data Analysis | 3 |
| BIOC 706 | Biochemistry of Human Disease | 3 |
| PATH 725 | Cancer Pathobiology | 3 |
| MHCH 722 | Global Maternal and Child Health | 3 |
| MHCH 851 | Reproductive and Perinatal Epidemiology | 3 |
| HPM 758 | Underserved Populations and Health Reform | 3 |
| HBEH 765 | Cancer Prevention and Control Seminar | 3 |
| HBEH 749 | mHealth for Behavior Change | 2 |
| EPID 711 | Clinical Measurement and Evaluation | 3 |
| EPID 715 | Theory and Quantitative Methods in Epidemiology | 4 |
| EPID 760 | Vaccine Epidemiology | 3 |
| EPID 772 | Cancer Prevention and Control Seminar | 3 |
| EPID 718 | Analytic Methods in Observational Epidemiology | 3 |
Milestones
The following list of milestones (non-course degree requirements) must be completed; view this list of standard milestone definitions for more information.
- Master's Committee
- Master's Oral Exam / Approved Substitute
- Thesis/Substitute Defense
- Master's Thesis Approved
- Residence Credit
- Exit Survey
Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) Nutrition & Dietetics Concentration Description
The Master of Public Health (MPH) in Nutrition was the first degree offered by the Department of Nutrition. Since the first three students received their MPH degrees in 1951, the program enrolls cohorts of about 40 residential students per year. Beginning in 2018, The Nutrition and Dietetics concentration at The Gillings School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is one of the first in the country to be an ACEND®-accredited Future Education Model program. The program is recognized throughout the United States for the excellence of its training in public health nutrition. The Commission on Dietetic Registration will require a minimum of a master’s degree to take the credentialing exam for registered dietitians beginning on January 1, 2024.
Nutrition is recognized as one of the most important environmental determinants of health throughout the life cycle. It is a key factor in successful pregnancy outcomes, in the physical and mental development of infants and children, and in promoting health throughout the lifespan. Current research stresses nutrition and diet as critical factors in the prevention and treatment of most chronic diseases, including obesity, heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, and osteoporosis. The safety, quality, quantity, and distribution of local, national and world food supplies are major public policy issues.
Completion of the MPH with a concentration in Nutrition and Dietetics provides the graduate with a strong background in the science and practice of public health along with a sound knowledge of the science of human nutrition and food science. Students complete the degree as well as all related internship training within two years and are then eligible to sit for the CDR exam to become a Registered Dietitian.
The mission of the Nutrition and Dietetics concentration in Public Health Nutrition is to prepare registered dietitians to be leaders in nutrition and dietetics through effective classroom education and practical community and clinical experiences both locally and globally.
Course Requirements
Requirements for the M.P.H. degree in the Nutrition & Dietetics concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| M.P.H. Integrated Core | ||
| SPHG 711 | Data Analysis for Public Health | 2 |
| or BIOS 600 | Principles of Statistical Inference | |
| SPHG 712 | Methods and Measures for Public Health Practice | 2 |
| or EPID 600 | Principles of Epidemiology for Public Health | |
| SPHG 713 | Systems Approaches to Understanding Public Health Issues | 2 |
| SPHG 721 | Public Health Solutions: Systems, Policy and Advocacy | 2 |
| SPHG 722 | Developing, Implementing, and Evaluating Public Health Solutions | 4 |
| NUTR 701 | Nutrition Practicum Preparation | 2 |
| M.P.H. Concentration | ||
| NUTR 709 | Medical Nutrition Therapy 1 | 3 |
| NUTR 712 | Nutrition Communication, Counseling and Culture | 3 |
| NUTR 714 | Nutritional Biochemistry, Metabolism and Health | 3 |
| NUTR 715 | Medical Nutrition Therapy 2 | 4 |
| NUTR 723 | Community Nutrition | 3 |
| NUTR 760 & 760L | Food Science and Food Science Laboratory | 3 |
| NUTR 765 | Foundations in Nutrition Epidemiology | 3 |
| NUTR 805 | Nutrition Policy | 3 |
| Food Service Management Experience Summer 1 | ||
| Clinical Nutrition Field Experience Summer 1 | ||
| Public Health Nutrition Management Field Experience Summer 2 | ||
| Advanced Nutrition Placement Summer 2 | ||
| M.P.H. Practicum | ||
| Practicum: 200 minimum hours | ||
| M.P.H. Culminating Experience | ||
| NUTR 992 | Master's (Non-Thesis) | 3 |
| or SPHG 992 | Master's (Non-Thesis) | |
| Total Hours | 42 | |
Admissions
Please visit Applying to the Gillings School first for details and information. Application to the residential M.P.H. is a 2-step process. Please apply separately to (1) SOPHAS (or DICAS for Nutrition and Dietetics applicants) and (2) UNC–Chapel Hill (via the Graduate School application link that will be sent after completing the SOPHAS application). Visit the Graduate School Web site for more details. If you are interested in the online M.P.H., please visit the MPH@UNC website and fill out an inquiry form.
Milestones
- Master's Committee
- Master's Written Examination/Approved Substitute (Comprehensive Exam)
- Thesis Substitute (Culminating Experience)
- Residence Credit
- Exit Survey
- Master's Professional Work Experience (Practicum)
Recommended Checklist
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Supervised Experiential Learning | ||
| Food Service Placement | ||
| Clinical Nutrition Placement | ||
| Public Health Placement | ||
| Advanced Placement | ||
Public Health, Master's Program (M.P.H.) — Nutrition, Food Systems and Health Concentration
Our mission is to improve and protect the public’s health through teaching, research and practices that foster optimal nutrition. To that end, the Nutrition, Food Systems and Health concentration, offered on-campus and online, focuses on nutrition science, as well as on behavior change, communication, counseling and the effects of dietary culture on the individual and within the community.
As a student in the Nutrition, Food Systems and Health concentration, you will gain the skills to assess scientific evidence for nutritional guidelines and recommendations, evaluate how social, cultural, environmental and community factors affect dietary intake and nutrition-related outcomes in individuals, families and communities, demonstrate proficiency in writing evidence-based, nutrition-related professional and consumer communications using a variety of media platforms.
Course Requirements
Requirements for the M.P.H. degree in the Nutrition, Food Systems and Health concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| M.P.H. Integrated Core | ||
| SPHG 711 | Data Analysis for Public Health | 2 |
| or BIOS 600 | Principles of Statistical Inference | |
| SPHG 712 | Methods and Measures for Public Health Practice | 2 |
| or EPID 600 | Principles of Epidemiology for Public Health | |
| SPHG 713 | Systems Approaches to Understanding Public Health Issues | 2 |
| SPHG 701 | Leading from the Inside-Out | 2 |
| SPHG 721 | Public Health Solutions: Systems, Policy and Advocacy | 2 |
| SPHG 722 | Developing, Implementing, and Evaluating Public Health Solutions (MPH Comprehensive Exam administered in class) | 4 |
| M.P.H. Practicum | ||
| SPHG 703 | MPH Pre-Practicum Assignments | 0.5 |
| SPHG 707 | MPH Post-Practicum Assignments | 0.5 |
| M.P.H. Concentration | ||
| NUTR 711 | Nutrition Across the Lifecycle | 3 |
| NUTR 713 | Nutrition Communication, Culture and Equity | 3 |
| NUTR 723 | Community Nutrition | 3 |
| NUTR 765 | Foundations in Nutrition Epidemiology | 3 |
| NUTR 805 | Nutrition Policy | 3 |
| M.P.H. Electives | ||
| Electives (Graduate-level courses, 400+ level at Gillings, 500+ level at UNC); 9 credit hours minimum | 9 | |
| M.P.H. Culminating Experience | ||
| NUTR 992 | Master's (Non-Thesis) | 3 |
| or SPHG 992 | Master's (Non-Thesis) | |
| Total Hours | 42 | |
Admissions
Please visit Applying to the Gillings School first for details and information. Application to the residential M.P.H. is a 2-step process. Please apply separately to (1) SOPHAS and (2) UNC–Chapel Hill (via the Graduate School application link that will be sent after completing the SOPHAS application). Visit the Graduate School Web site for more details. If you are interested in the online M.P.H., please visit the MPH@UNC website and fill out an inquiry form.
Milestones
- Master's Committee
- Master's Written Examination/Approved Substitute (Comprehensive Exam)
- Thesis Substitute (Culminating Experience)
- Residence Credit
- Exit Survey
- Master's Professional Work Experience (Practicum)
Dual-Degree Programs
-
Bachelor (B.S.P.H. in Nutrition) + M.S. in Nutrition
The M.S. is also offered as a dual degree program with the B.S.P.H. in Nutrition. The program can be completed in one calendar year (summer, fall, spring) following completion of the B.S.P.H. in Nutrition program.
Nutrition, Doctoral Program (Ph.D.)
The doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) in the Department of Nutrition develops students' research and teaching skills through coursework, research, practice opportunities and preliminary doctoral examinations, and original research presented in a doctoral dissertation. Together, these experiences prepare graduates for careers in scientific research or teaching at universities, in federal or state agencies, and in industry or private research institutions. Students may minor in other fields, such as epidemiology. Doctoral program opportunities are available at the UNC–Chapel Hill campus and the Nutrition Research Institute (NRI).
Course Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| School of Public Health Core Course 1 | ||
| SPHG 600 | Foundations of Public Health 2 | 3 |
| Core Courses 1 | ||
| Choose one of the following Nutrition course options: | 3-6 | |
| Nutritional Biochemistry, Metabolism and Health 3 | ||
| Human Metabolism: Macronutrients and Human Metabolism: Micronutrients 3 | ||
| NUTR 770 | Clinical Trials in Nutrition | 3 |
| Choose of of the following Epidemiology Courses: | 3 | |
| Foundations in Nutrition Epidemiology 4 | ||
or NUTR 816 | Applications in Nutrition Epidemiology | |
or EPID 710 | Fundamentals of Epidemiology | |
| NUTR 885 | Doctoral Seminar (Two semesters for 4 credits total) | 4 |
| Choose one of the following Biostatistics Courses: | 2-3 | |
| Principles of Statistical Inference | ||
or BIOS 645 | Principles of Experimental Analysis | |
or BBSP 710 | Biostatistics for Laboratory Scientists | |
| NUTR 880 | Elements of Being a Scientist 5 | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Specialization Requirements (minimum of 25 credit hours): | ||
| NUTR 910 | Nutrition Research | 16 |
| Specialization Electives 6 | 9 | |
| Thesis/Substitute or Dissertation | ||
| NUTR 994 | Doctoral Research and Dissertation (Two semesters for 3 credits each) | 6 |
| Minimum Hours | 52-56 | |
- 1
All core courses, including the SPHG requirement, must be completed prior to taking the doctoral comprehensive examinations (typically at the end of the Spring semester following the second year of study).
- 2
Students with a prior public health degree are not required to take SPHG 600; exemptions are available for those with non-public health degrees from accredited SPHs. Students should discuss with their Academic Coordinator.
- 3
Students intending to pursue a population-focused program related to nutrition interventions and policy have an additional option to substitute NUTR 714 for the NUTR 600/620 core course requirement. This substitution requires approval of the student’s advisor and the Doctoral Committee.
- 4
NUTR 765 is intended for students with no prior coursework in Epidemiology. Students with a prior course in Epidemiology should take NUTR 816. Students intending to complete the Epidemiology minor should take EPID 710.
- 5
Students must have completed all core course requirements and have passed the doctoral comprehensive examinations to enroll in NUTR 880.
- 6
Specialization electives can be any graduate level courses that correlate to or compliment a students focus of study. Examples of pre-approved courses can be found below. Students should plan their specialization courses with their faculty mentor and academic advisor.
Specialization Elective Options
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Nutrition | ||
| NUTR 696 | Readings in Nutrition | 1-9 |
| NUTR 709 | Medical Nutrition Therapy 1 | 3 |
| NUTR 712 | Nutrition Communication, Counseling and Culture | 3 |
| NUTR 715 | Medical Nutrition Therapy 2 | 4 |
| NUTR 745 | International Nutrition | 3 |
| NUTR 748 | Global Food and Nutrition Security | 3 |
| NUTR 749 | mHealth for Behavior Change | 2 |
| NUTR 751 | Global Healthy And Sustainable Food Systems | 3 |
| NUTR 753 | Local Food Systems, Health, and the Environment | 1-3 |
| NUTR 760 | Food Science | 2 |
| NUTR 760L | Food Science Laboratory | 1 |
| NUTR 805 | Nutrition Policy | 3 |
| NUTR 818 | Analytical Methods in Nutritional Epidemiology | 3 |
| NUTR 845 | Nutritional Metabolism | 3 |
| NUTR 865 | Advanced Nutritional Biochemistry: Nutrigenomics and Precision Nutrition | 2 |
| NUTR 920 | Research Rotations for Nutritional Biochemistry Doctoral Students | 1-3 |
| Health Behavior | ||
| HBEH 720 | Health Equity Methods | 3 |
| HBEH 730 | Theoretical Foundations of Health Behavior | 3 |
| HBEH 748 | Design Thinking for the Public Good | 3 |
| HBEH 749 | mHealth for Behavior Change | 2 |
| HBEH 754 | Advanced Qualitative Research Methods in Health Behavior and Health Research | 3 |
| HBEH 760 | Research Methods with Health Behavior Applications I | 3 |
| HBEH 761 | Applied Statistical Methods in Health Behavior Research I | 3 |
| HBEH 763 | Scale Development Methods | 3 |
| HBEH 765 | Cancer Prevention and Control Seminar | 3 |
| HBEH 772 | Planning, Implementing, and Evaluating Health Behavior Interventions | 2 |
| HBEH 784 | Implementation Science in Global Health | 3 |
| HBEH 811 | Development and Evaluation of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Interventions | 3 |
| HBEH 815 | Foundations of Health Behavior I | 3 |
| HBEH 816 | Foundations of Health Behavior II | 3 |
| HBEH 891 | Special Studies in Behavior Change | 1-6 |
| HBEH 960 | Principles and Practices of Alternative, Complementary and Integrative Medicine | 3 |
| Epidemiology | ||
| EPID 705 | Introduction to Deductive and Probability Logic in Epidemiology | 2 |
| EPID 710 | Fundamentals of Epidemiology | 3 |
| EPID 712 | Readings in Fundamentals of Epidemiology | 1 |
| EPID 715 | Theory and Quantitative Methods in Epidemiology | 4 |
| EPID 716 | Epidemiologic Data Analysis | 3 |
| EPID 717 | Advanced Epidemiologic Methods | 3 |
| EPID 735 | Cardiovascular Epidemiology | 3 |
| EPID 742 | Biomarkers in Population-Based Research | 2 |
| EPID 743 | Genetic Epidemiology: Methods and Applications | 3 |
| Biostatistics | ||
| BIOS 511 | Introduction to Statistical Computing and Data Management | 4 |
| BIOS 645 | Principles of Experimental Analysis | 3 |
| BIOS 641 | Quantitative Methods for Health Care Professionals I | 4 |
| BIOS 642 | Quantitative Methods for Health Care Professionals II | 4 |
| Public Heath | ||
| PUBH 730 | Leading Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) in Public Health Locally And Globally | 3 |
| Health Policy and Management | ||
| HPM 797 | Systems Thinking & Collective Impact | 3 |
| HPM 886 | Qualitative and Mixed Methods Designs | 3 |
| Graduate Studies | ||
| GRAD 717 | Introduction to Entrepreneurship and The Entrepreneurial Mindset | 1.5 |
Milestones
The following list of milestones (non-course degree requirements) must be completed; view this list of standard milestone definitions for more information.
- Doctoral Committee
- Doctoral Oral Comprehensive Exam
- Doctoral Written Exam
- Prospectus Oral Exam
- Advanced to Candidacy
- Dissertation Defense
- Doctoral Dissertation Approved/Format Accepted
- Residence Credit
- Exit Survey
- Doctoral IRB Compliance
- Doctoral Intradepartmental Review
- Doctoral Teaching Experience
Distinguished Professors
Linda Adair, Carla Smith Chamblee Distinguished Professor
Alice Ammerman, Mildred Kaufman Distinguished Professor
Penny Gordon-Larsen, W. R. Kenan, Jr. Distinguished Professor, Vice Chancellor for Research
Stephen Hursting, AICR/WCRF Distinguished Professor
Elizabeth Mayer-Davis, Cary C. Boshamer Distinguished Professor, Dean of Graduate School
Barry Popkin, W.R. Kenan Jr. Distinguished Professor
Susan Smith, Dickson-Harris Teeter Distinguished Professor, Co-Director of Graduate Studies and PhD Program
Professors
Andrea M. Azcarate-Peril*
Cynthia Bulik*
Shufa Du
Anthony Hackney*
Thomas Keyserling*
Sergey Krupenko
Nobuyo Maeda*
ShuWen Ng
S. Raza Shaikh, Chair
Abbie Smith-Ryan*
Mirek Styblo
Susan Sumner
Deborah Tate
Amanda Thompson*
Saroja Voruganti
Associate Professors
John Batsis*
Melissa Bauserman*
Ian Carroll, B.S.P.H. and M.S. Program Co-Director
Molly De Marco
Amanda Holliday, M.P.H.-N&D Program Director
Folami Ideraabdullah*
Natalia Krupenko
Katie Meyer
Sandra Mooney
Carmen Samuel-Hodge
Lindsey Smith Taillie, Associate Chair for Academics
Kimberly Truesdale, M.P.H.-NFSH Program Director
Carmina Valle, Associate Chair for Research
Assistant Professors
Seema Agrawal
Ximena Bustamante Marin, B.S.P.H. and M.S. Program Co-Director
Michael Coleman
Beth Jenks
Anna Kahkoska
Stephanie Martin, Co-Director of Graduate Studies & PhD Program
Kamaria Mason
Brooke Nezami
Wimal Pathmasiri
Blake Rushing
Nipun Saini
Jessica Soldavini
Isis Trujillo
Heather Wasser
*Primary appointment is in another UNC department, faculty's secondary appointment is Nutrition.
Department of Nutrition
