Nutrition courses have to do with those who study all that relates to food and its effect on the health and overall wellbeing of consumers. Nutritionists and dieticians aim to improve people’s health by helping them make better choices in relation to the food they consume and build good eating and exercising habits. Food is an indispensable aspect of life. Therefore, the career opportunities available to graduates of Nutrition-related courses are endless. Upon completion of the course, graduates are offered the opportunity to obtain essential knowledge and skills. Many of these skills are applicable to other fields and areas such as education, researches, preventive actions and therapy in food-related areas, so as to improve and maintain good health. This article lists the Nutrition-related courses available in institutions in Nigeria and the requirements for these courses.
Read on below:
Nutrition courses in Nigeria and Requirements
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Home Economics
The profession of Home economics is a field of study that evolved out of concern for the ways homes and families function and factors of the society that influence these processes such as industrialization and commercialization. Home economics is a broad course that encompasses how the maximum utilization of human and material resources such as food and raw materials affects the quality, content, and planning of family life Home economics brings together knowledge and skills from different disciplines within the pure and applied arts and sciences and allows for the application of this knowledge in solving the most pressing problems that challenge the families and societies.
UTME Entry Requirements for Home economics
Home economics is a 4-year degree Programme. Graduates of this course are awarded a B.Sc in Home economics. In order to be admitted into the program, candidates must have the general entry requirements which include credit passes in the SSCE/GCE/NECO examinations or their equivalents. These subjects must include English language, Chemistry, Mathematics/Physics, Biology/Food & Nutrition or Agricultural Science. The credit passes must be obtained at not more than two sittings.
Direct Entry Requirements
Candidates applying via direct entry must have A’ level passes in Chemistry and Biology i.e., Botany and Zoology, This must be in addition to UTME entry requirements which are five credit passes in the relevant science subjects.
- Holders of National Diplomas or other recognizable diplomas from an accredited institution in the country and with credit passes in Chemistry and Biology/Agricultural Science are also eligible for admission into the degree programme.
- Holders of Higher Diplomas or NCE in Home Economics or any other related field with credit passes in Home Economics and Biology/Agricultural Science are also eligible for admission via direct entry.
B.Sc. Nutrition and Dietetics
Human Nutrition is the study of foods required by human organisms, how this is used by the human body, and how the body deals with the waste products due to its activities.
Dietetics, on the other hand, has to do with the application of scientific principles of nutrition to the human body and its overall health. Graduates of Nutrition and Dietetics are involved in a broad interdisciplinary field that bridges the gap between the areas of food science, medical science, and management. Speaking of, get better results on your diet by adding resurge to the formula.
UTME Entry Requirements for Nutrition and Dietetics
Nutrition and Dietetics is a 4-year degree program. Upon completion of this course, graduates are awarded a B.Sc. Nutrition and Dietetics.
Candidate must have obtained five credit passes at the SSCE/NECO/GCE O’ level examinations or their equivalent in the following subjects: Food and Nutrition/Agricultural Science or Biology, Chemistry and Physics/Mathematics.
Direct entry-level requirement
Candidates who wish to be admitted to via direct entry into Nutrition and Dietetics must have either of the following qualifications:
- Passes at the principal level in the Higher School Certificate Examination (HSCE) in two of the following subjects: Chemistry, Biology (Botany and Zoology), Agricultural Science, Physics or Mathematics.
- Passes at the GCE Advanced Level in two of the following subjects: Chemistry, Biology (Botany and Zoology), Agricultural Science, Physics or Mathematics.
- Candidates with Certificate in Nursing are eligible for admission into Nutrition and Dietetics
- Candidates with diplomas in relevant subjects are eligible for admission.
In addition, all requirements mentioned above, candidates must also satisfy the UTME entry requirements.
Food Science and Technology
This is a multi-disciplinary field that encompasses the study of basic sciences, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Nutrition, Biotechnology, and Engineering Technology. Food Science and Technology deals with the development and management of food resources. Food science studies nature, and properties of food materials and the processing, handling, storage, distribution and utilization of it.
Admission Requirements for Food Science and Technology
Food Science and Technology is a five-year degree course. Candidates in Food Science and Technology must meet the following requirements:
- Candidates must have obtained credits in five (5) subjects at two sittings in the SSCE/NECO/GCE or its equivalent. The subjects must include: English language, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Biology or Agricultural Science and any other science subject
- For UME candidates and examination subject combinations, Physics can be substituted for Mathematics.
Direct entry-level requirements
Candidates applying via direct entry must have the following requirements:
- Passes at the principal level in the Higher School Certificate Examination (HSCE) in two of the following subjects: Chemistry, Biology (Botany and Zoology), Agricultural Science, Physics or Mathematics.
- Passes at the GCE Advanced Level in two of the following subjects: Chemistry, Biology (Botany and Zoology), Agricultural Science, Physics or Mathematics.
- Candidates with Diplomas in relevant subjects may be offered admission by direct entry.
Career opportunities available for those who graduate from Nutrition-related courses include:
- Consultant Dietician
- Research Dietician and Nutritionist
- Clinic Dietician and Nutritionist
- Industrial Dietician
- Public health Nutritionist
- Nutritional educator
- Food
- Nutritional therapist.
- Product/process development scientist.
- Quality manager.
- Regulatory affairs officer.
- Scientific laboratory technician.
- Research Technician
- Product Developer
Sectors and Industries where you can work as a Nutritionist
- Hospitals
- Bakeries
- Confectionaries
- Farms
- Food Processing Companies
- Fishing/Food Preservation Companies