Major map:
Food and Nutrition
Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutriton [B.Sc.(F&N)]
Learn how to get the most out of your degree and prepare for your future career.
Consumers of food are now more health conscious than ever and have made health-promoting diets and lifestyle choices a priority. The B.Sc. in Food and Nutrition program provides interdisciplinary training in both food science and nutrition, giving students core training in the theory of all aspects of food processing, food chemistry and microbiological safety, together with an in-depth understanding of the nutritional aspects of food and the role that nutrients play in our bodies. This degree will provide students with an in-depth understanding of food, its chemistry, how it’s processed, produced, preserved, and packaged, and how new ingredients are integrated into products. Students will gain an in-depth understanding of the nutrition aspects of food and the role of nutrients in our body. This program will appeal to those interested in the applied food science and nutrition fields looking to move into the food science, food industry, agriculture, health or lifestyle industries, or as a preparatory degree for those planned to entry into medicine, pre-vet, or post-graduate studies.
Not a USask student?
Learn more about studying food and nutrition at USask and apply for admission.
Explore your major
Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue or meet with an academic advisor to understand all program requirements.
The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.
BIOL 120.3 | The Nature of Life
BIOL 121.3 | The Diversity of Life
CHEM 112.3 | General Chemistry I Structure Bonding and Properties of Materials
FABS 110.3 | The Science of Food
NUTR 120.3 | Basic Nutrition
You choose
- AREC 220.3 History of Indigenous Agriculture in Canada OR INDG 107.3 Introduction to Canadian Indigenous Studies
- One course (3 c.u.) from the English Language Writing requirement
- From a variety of courses to fulfill your degree requirements
Academic tips
- Explore information about your program in the course and program catalogue
- Meet with an academic advisor for help choosing your courses and planning your degree prior to registration
- Visit AgBio Student Services to find out about unique supports for AgBio students
- Visit the student Learning Hub for help developing your academic skills
- Apply for scholarships and bursaries
What will I learn?
- Knowledge of food safety, HACCP and quality control, food processing, analysis, and food chemistry
- How macro- and micro-nutrients in food functions nourish our bodies
- The role of food ingredients and their impact on product quality and functionality
- How diet impacts overall health and best practices/choices in lifestyle
Gain relevant experience
- Familiarize yourself with study abroad programs to make informed decisions in your later years of study
- Explore undergraduate research opportunities
- Consider enrolling in an experiential learning course
Create local and global connections
- Visit the USask Community Centre to make connections and build community
- Get involved in your campus community through student groups, USask Rec and USask events
- Before you register in your first-year courses, sign up to be a part of a Learning Community
- Get to know your FABS faculty and their research interests; Nutriton faculty and their research interests
- Become a member of the Food and Bioproduct Sciences Student (FABS) Club
- Consider joining the Agricultural Student's Association (ASA) to connect with other students, build your governance skills, and inform your student experience
Get career ready
- Meet with a career educator at Career Services to explore your career possibilities
- Take a career assessment to learn more about your strengths, personality, interests, and values
- Create your résumé and cover letter to take advantage of part-time and summer job opportunities
- Develop your LinkedIn profile to begin building your professional brand
- Become a student affiliate of the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists, the professional body for those individuals practicing Agrology in Saskatchewan
Featured courses
- FABS 222.3 Improving Food Security through Food Science and Technology
- FABS 315.3 Food Chemistry
- FABS 452.3 Quality Assurance and HACCP
- NUTR 322.3 Nutrition Throughout the Lifespan
- NUTR 420.3 Current Issues in Nutrition
Explore your major
Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue and meet with an academic advisor to understand all program requirements.
The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.
BMSC 200.3 | Biomolecules
BMSC 230.3 | Metabolism
FABS 222.3 | Improving Food Security through Food Science and Technology
NUTR 210.3 | Food Fundamentals and Preparation
NUTR 221.3 | Advanced Nutrition Micronutrients for Nutrition Program
NUTR 305.3 | Research Methods
You choose
- FABS 212.3 Agrifood and Resources Microbiology OR BMSC 210.3 Microbiology
- PLSC 214.3 Statistical Methods OR STAT 245.3 Introduction to Statistical Methods
- MATH 104.3 Elementary Calculus, OR MATH 110.3 Calculus I, OR MATH 125.3 Mathematics for the Life Sciences
- One course (3 c.u.) from open electives to fulfill your degree requirements
Academic tips
- Consult the course and program catalogue and contact an academic faculty advisor for information about course selection prior to registration.
- Check DegreeWorks and meet with an academic advisor to ensure your degree is on track
- Apply for scholarships and bursaries
Add to your major
Choose from a variety of certificates to complement your major.
- Business (certificate)
- Professional Communication (certificate)
- Sustainability (certificate)
- Technological Innovation (certificate)
Gain relevant experience
- Explore study abroad options or gain support as an international student through the International Student and Study Abroad Centre (ISSAC)
- Become a peer mentor through the University Library or Peer Health
- Sign up for a Student Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE)
- Get involved in research by applying for a research assistantship
- Consider enrolling in an experiential learning course
- Consider running for a leadership position with an Agricultural Student's Association (ASA) or the USask Students’ Union (USSU)
- Become a member of the Food and Bioproduct Sciences Student (FABS) Club
Create local and global connections
- Engage with your community through volunteering and Co-Curricular Record activities
- Meet with new people and grow your cultural understanding through Building Bridges and Global Connections
- Get to know your FABS faculty and their research interests; Nutrition faculty and their research interests
- Consider joining the an AgBio Student Club to connect with other students, build your governance skills, and inform your student experience
Get career ready
- Discover job opportunities, explore career options, and meet professionals at Career Services events and career fairs
- Explore experiential learning opportunities to gain relevant experience and skills
- Expand your professional network on LinkedIn
- Get a better understanding of your career possibilities through career informational interviews
- Conduct occupational research through Job Bank and LinkedIn
- Become a student affiliate of the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists, the professional body for those individuals practicing Agrology in Saskatchewan
- Attend Careers Day in September to connect with Ag/Bio employers
USask Student Competencies
USask Student Competencies are the knowledge, skills, and attributes developed and leveraged to achieve success in your learning and work:
- Engaging in our intercultural society
- Nurturing successful relationships
- Leveraging technology
- Adaptive design and problem solving
- Communicating meaningfully
- Cultivating well-being
Explore your major
Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue and meet with an academic advisor to understand all program requirements.
The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.
FABS 315.3 | Food Chemistry
FABS 317.3 | Food and Bioproducts Analysis
FABS 325.3 | Food Microbiology and Safety
FABS 345.3 | Unit Operations in Food Processing
FABS 362.3 | Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals
FABS 452.3 | Quality Assurance and HACCP
NUTR 201.3 | Food Culture and Human Nutrition
NUTR 321.3 | Advanced Nutrition Macronutrients and Energy for Nutrition Program
NUTR 322.3 | Nutrition Throughout the Lifespan
NUTR 365.3 | Quantity Food Production and Service
NUTR 420.3 | Current Issues in Nutrition
You choose
- FABS 492.3 Literature Thesis OR FABS 494.6 Research Thesis Research Thesis (3 credit units of FABS 494.6 Research Thesis Research Thesis count as restricted electives)
- Five courses (15 c.u.) from a variety of restricted elective courses to fulfill your degree requirements
- Three courses (9 c.u.) from open elective courses to fulfill your degree requirements
Academic tips
- Check DegreeWorks and meet with an academic faculty advisor to ensure your degree is on track
- Apply for scholarships and bursaries
- Consider applying to a graduate program in Food Science, Applied Microbiology, or Nutrition
Consider applying to a graduate program
- Applied Microbiology (M.Sc., Ph.D.)
- Food Science (M.Sc., Ph.D.)
- Nutrition (M.Sc., Ph.D.)
Gain relevant experience
- Consider running for a leadership position with the Agricultural Student's Association (ASA) or the USask Students’ Union (USSU)
- Consider enrolling in an experiential learning course
- Become a member of the Food and Bioproduct Sciences Student (FABS) Club
Create local and global connections
- Join the USask Alumni and Friends community
- Get to know your FABS faculty and their research interests; Nutrition faculty and their research interests
Get career ready
- Update your résumé, cover letter or CV to apply for jobs
- Book a Mock Interview appointment with Career Services to prepare for your interview
- Explore experiential learning opportunities to gain relevant experience and skills
- If you are new to Canada, take time to learn about how to search for a job in Canada
- Discover employment opportunities through Ag Careers
- Graduates from the B.Sc. Food Industry Management degree are eligible for Professional Agrologist (PAg) membership in the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists, allowing them to engage in the practice of Agrology
- Attend Careers Day in September to connect with Ag/Bio employers
USask Student Competencies
USask Student Competencies are the knowledge, skills, and attributes developed and leveraged to achieve success in your learning and work:
- Engaging in our intercultural society
- Nurturing successful relationships
- Leveraging technology
- Adaptive design and problem solving
- Communicating meaningfully
- Cultivating well-being
Possible destinations
People with a food and nutrition degree take their knowledge and skills into many different industries and occupations. Some of the career paths listed here require further education and training.
Career paths
- Business Development Officer
- Food Industry Entrepreneurs
- Food Marketing Manager
- Food Operations Manager
- Food Policy and Regulatory Analyst
- Food Processor
- Food Product Developer
- Food Safety Manager
- Food Service Coordinator
- Food Technologist
- HACCP Coordinator
- Lab Technician
- Management Consultant
- Market Research Analyst
- Nutritional Researcher
- Product Developer
- Product Development Consultant
- Quality Assurance
- Research Scientist
- Wellness Program Coordinator
With courses ranging from food chemistry and food processing to nutrition and metabolism, the Food and Nutrition Program has given me insightful knowledge of food from two complementary perspectives. The program has allowed me to connect with faculty and gain practical laboratory experience, preparing me for future opportunities in either research or industry.
—Jeanne, fourth-year Food and Nutrition student
Where do USask alumni work?
- AGT Food and Ingredients
- Ag-West Bio
- Avena Foods Limited
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency
- Federated Co-operatives Limited
- Government of Saskatchewan
- Loblaw Companies Limited
- Maple Leaf Foods Inc.
- Saputo
- Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre
- University of Saskatchewan
- Viterra
Explore Canadian salaries for various occupations using the Job Bank Career Planning Tool
"Being part of the Food and Nutrition program has given me a well-rounded understanding of every stage of the food journey. From crop growth, processing, and analysis to practical applications like cooking, brewing, and meal planning, I’ve been able to explore how food develops from its origins to its impact on our health. Understanding food components on a molecular scale has taught me about their influence on metabolism and ever on our epigenetics affecting longevity. Bridging food science, nutrition, and human health, this program has influenced the way I see and value what we eat every day."
—Julia, fourth-year Food and Nutrition student
"The Food and Nutrition program offers an in depth understanding of modern food systems and emphasizes the sustainable use of resources and responsible production practices. Through this program, I have learned how our food choices not only drive innovation in food science but also directly influence our nutritional health and ability to meet daily dietary recommendations. Overall, the program encourages students to become future innovators and problem solvers who can bridge the gap between scientific research and practical solutions to enhance food quality, sustainability, and improve human health."
—Jhustine, fourth-year Food and Nutrition student