In the Nutrition Science program, you will explore the physiological and psychological impacts of the creation, implementation and maintenance of a healthy diet. With a standard major and two unique emphases, you can hone your skills in a specific area to prepare for a fulfilling career in a variety of health-related fields or further study in graduate programs.
Program Overview
Explore the building blocks of nutrition and the impact of diet.
The B.S. in Nutrition Science is designed to provide students with knowledge and skills for a career in nutrition, food science, food service management or public health. Nutrition students can pursue a Standard major, a comprehensive emphasis in either Community Nutrition or Pre-Dietetics. The Standard major provides flexibility for students who wish to double major, while the Community Nutrition emphasis provides a solid grounding in the sciences for students interested in a variety of nutrition-related professions or graduate programs. The Pre-Dietetics emphasis includes necessary prerequisite coursework for students wishing to enter an ACEND-accredited graduate program in dietetics.
Health Starts with Diet
Learn the factors that influence a healthy diet and how to nourish the mental and physical health of yourself and others through food.
Courses
At Western, course rotations are crafted to encompass a variety of subject fields for a comprehensive education and versatile degree. For required courses and degree plans, visit the official University Catalog. Below is a general overview of courses at Western Colorado University related to this area of study.
| Code | Title | Credits | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL 150 | Biological Principles (with laboratory) (GT-SC1) | 4 | View |
| BIOL 201 | Introduction to Microbiology (with laboratory) | 4 | View |
| BIOL 300 | Basic Nutrition | 3 | View |
| BIOL 372 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I (with laboratory) | 4 | View |
| BIOL 373 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II (with laboratory) | 4 | View |
| CHEM 101 | Introduction to Inorganic Chemistry (GT-SC2) | 3 | View |
| CHEM 111 | General Chemistry I (GT-SC2) | 3 | View |
| CHEM 112 | General Chemistry Laboratory I (GT-SC1) | 1 | View |
| CHEM 113 | General Chemistry II | 3 | View |
| CHEM 114 | General Chemistry Laboratory II | 1 | View |
| CHEM 231 | Introduction to Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry | 3 | View |
| CHEM 234 | Introductory Organic and Biochemistry Laboratory | 1 | View |
| CHEM 331 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 | View |
| CHEM 332 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 | View |
| CHEM 334 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 1 | View |
| CHEM 335 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory II | 1 | View |
| CHEM 471 | Biochemistry I | 3 | View |
| ESS 185 | Lifetime Wellness | 3 | View |
| ESS 201 | Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology (with Lab) | 4 | View |
| ESS 360 | Nutrition for Wellness and Performance | 3 | View |
| ESS 412 | Exercise Biochemistry | 3 | View |
| MATH 140 | College Algebra (GT-MA1) | 3 | View |
| MATH 213 | Probability and Statistics | 3 | View |
| PSY 100 | General Psychology (GT-SS3) | 3 | View |
Careers
Career preparation starts your first year at Western and is the primary focus of every degree.
Visit Career Services in Library 120 or online to discover your interests, define your goals, and land the career of your dreams.
The data below is automatically collected by Burning Glass Technologies, a firm that sources job market data and provides analytics. The statistics illustrate general trends in U.S. careers, but do not precisely represent every job and salary.
Scholarships
Eligibility
- Full-time juniors and seniors
- Must be a declared major in Exercise & Sport Science
- 3.0 GPA or greater
- Show outstanding achievement in four of the following five areas (special talents, leadership, obstacles overcome, community service and unique endeavors)
Description
This scholarship is provided by the estate and family of Ernest Degutis.
Award depends on funds available.
Selected by: Western Exercise & Sport Science faculty in consultation with the Admissions Office and Financial Aid as needed. Award made at the end of the Spring Semester each year.
Application:
Contact the RESS Department for application and deadline information.
970.943.2010 | Wright Gym 209
Eligibility
- Exercise & Sport Science and Recreation & Outdoor Education majors
- Full-time at Western
Description
This scholarship is provided by Alumni Donations. The Student Professional Development Fund is to support professional activities such as professional certification exams, conference attendance, research, or other professional preparation activities.
Approximately $400 awarded every semester.
Selected by: Western RESS faculty committee
Application:
Contact the RESS Department for application and deadline information.
970.943.2010 | Wright Gym 209
Learn more about Western’s Exercise & Sport Science Program.
Learn more about Western’s Recreation & Outdoor Education Program.
Alumni Association Future Alumni Scholarship
The Alumni Association Scholarship is a one-time scholarship of $1,000 and is applicable for the student’s junior or senior year at Western.
Any child or grandchild of an alumni is eligible to receive the Future Alumni Scholarship.
- This is a one-time non-renewable scholarship of $1,000.
- Only one Future Alumni Scholarship will be awarded per academic year.
- GPA must be 3.2 or above (college).
Due date has been extended to April 15 for 2021. An Alumni selection committee, appointed by the Alumni Advisory Board, will review applicants and select awardee by June 1.
Alumni Legacy Scholarship
The Alumni Legacy Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western (incoming freshman or new transfer students are eligible).
Do you have a son or daughter looking at college? Have they considered attending Western? As an alumni, your son, daughter and/or grandchildren are eligible for certain benefits distributed through this scholarship, as follows:
- This is a one-time scholarship of $1,000.
- Nominee must be an incoming freshman or new transfer.
- The cost of orientation is reduced by half (a $45 value).
- The admission application fee is waived (a $30 value).
- GPA must be 2.5 or above (high school or college of transfer).
The applicant must fill out the application form found here (click). Application forms are accepted year-round. If the applicant meets the GPA guidelines, the scholarship will be awarded.
Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship
The Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western. This scholarship is not available to midyear transfers or students beginning in the spring semester.
Are you an alumni or employee of Western and know a prospective (or incoming) student who would be a great fit at Western? A recommendation from alumni and employees can support any new student and provide them a $500 scholarship their first year. (Western employees may not recommend a spouse or dependent receiving tuition benefits).
- Any Western alumni/employee may nominate only one student per academic year to receive the $500 scholarship (distributed $250 per semester).
- The scholarship is good for the first year only and is non-renewable.
- The recommended student must be a full-time undergraduate student, attending Western for the first time.
The applicant must fill out the application form found here. The nominating alumni/employee must fill out the application form and submit the required documents by June 1. The recommended student must meet university admissions acceptance standards and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The Presidential Promise is guaranteed to students who have received a scholarship through the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) and/or GearUp—and are eligible for a Pell Grant.
For students who meet these criteria, Western will cover the cost of tuition and fees through the combination of federal, state and institutional aid. For more information on the Presidential Promise, visit our scholarships page.
Description
The Western Presidential Honors Scholarships, established by the Jack and Marilyn MacAllister Foundation shall be an elite class of scholarships awarded to Western’s highest achieving and most deserving students, celebrating the ideals of academic excellence and service to the campus and community. Recipients of the Scholarships will be members of the Western Colorado University Honors Program.
There are eight Presidential Honors Scholarships of $2500 each. Each year two new Presidential Honors Scholarships will be awarded to two incoming freshmen.
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) or Central Plains (CP) tuition represents a substantial savings relative to normal, out-of-state tuition. Students eligible for the WUE or CP program will be charged 150% of Western’s total in-state tuition. For 2018-19, total in-state tuition was $8,934. WUE/CP tuition was $13,401. The WUE/CP discount is valued at $4,695.
For more information about the WUE and CP geography-based programs, visit Western’s Tuition Discount Programs Page.
Immediately upon acceptance at Western, every student is considered for a merit scholarship worth between $2,500-$4,500 per year for in-state students and $8,000-$10,000 for out-of-state students. The amount is based on the student’s GPA and ACT/SAT scores. Visit our Net Price Calculator at western.edu/cost to determine whether you qualify for a merit scholarship.
For more information about merit scholarships at Western, visit our scholarships page.
GET INVOLVED
Get Involved.
Your student experience doesn’t end in the classroom at Western. Learn more about extracurricular opportunities you can pursue to enhance your understanding of content, make peer and professional connections, and build your resume before graduating.
- Graduate Research: Collaborate on research projects with students in the High Altitude Exercise Physiology master’s program.
- High Altitude Performance Lab: Take classes and conduct research in our state-of-the-art facility.
- Publish Research: Publish your work in the Center for Wellness and Human Performance Health & Fitness Journal.
- Wellness Elevated: Work with clinical populations and their exercise or nutritional programming for a semester or more.
- Association for Students of Exercise Sports Science: This club is specifically tailored to ESS majors. Outings and events provide social support, professional development and networking opportunities.
From Macro to Micronutrients
Learn about the complexities and nuances of nutrition and how to incorporate individual lifestyle in diet choices
News & Research
Department Information
Recreation, Exercise & Sport Science (RESS) Department
Department Chairperson
Lance Dalleck, Ph.D.Professor of Exercise & Sport Science
Administrative Assistant
Terri StinsonAdministrative Assistant
Campus Location
Western Colorado University
Paul Wright Gym 209
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231