Pre-Health and Research
Pre-health professions
The Nutritional Science Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree at Iowa State University looks at the connection between diet and health. Students who major in Nutritional Science can select the pre-health professional and research option and learn how diet can play a crucial role in the cause, treatment, and prevention of many diseases. A good diet is also important in maintaining normal health, growth, and development.
In studying for a degree in Nutritional Science, you will gain insights into the relationship of diet, disease, and wellness. Graduates of this major are well prepared to go on to health professional schools such as medical school, dental school, pharmacy school, or physician’s assistant school. Students are also prepared for careers in nutrition research. The degree provides note-able flexibility to personalize the educational experience and incorporate specific health professional program or graduate school entry requirements.
General curriculum and course pre-requisites
2023-24 catalog requirements (PDF)
2023-24 sample 4-year plan (PDF)
Course sequence flow sheet (PDF)
Fulfilling requirements
The Nutritional Science B.S. degree with the pre-health professional and research option is a good fit for several pre-health professions. Refer to the following to see how this program meets course equivalents for typical professional school requirements:
Medical school preparation
These are the courses required for admission to most medical schools:
| Course(s) | Included in Nutrional Science degree requirements? |
|---|---|
| BIOL 211 and 211L & BIOL 212 and 212L | Yes |
| CHEM 177 and 177L & CHEM 178 and 178L | Yes |
| CHEM 331 and 331L & CHEM 332 and 332L | Yes, select from course list |
| PHYS 131/131L and PHYS 132/132L OR PHYS 231 and 231L | Yes, select from course list |
| BBMB 404 and 405 OR BBMB 303 OR BBMB 316 | Yes |
| PSYCH 101 | Yes, select PSYCH 101 for social science credits. |
| SOC 134 | Yes, select SOC 134 for social science or required elective credits. |
4-Year plan
2023-24 sample Pre-Human Medicine 4-year plan (PDF)
Specific program requirements: As with all programs, students should contact the admissions counselor at the medical school they plan to attend to determine specific program requirements.
Dental school preparation
These are the courses required for admission to most dental schools:
| Course(s) | Included in Nutrional Science degree requirements? |
|---|---|
| BIOL 211 and 211L & BIOL 212 and 212L | Yes |
| CHEM 177 and 177L & CHEM 178 and 178L | Yes |
| CHEM 331 and 331L & CHEM 332 and 332L | Yes, select CHEM 332/L from list of courses. |
| PHYS 131/131L and PHYS 132/132L OR PHYS 231/231L and 232/232L | Yes, select from list of courses. |
| BBMB 404 and 405 OR BBMB 303 OR BBMB 316 | Yes |
| Math requirements vary based on individual schools; a semester of statistics and a semester of calculus is typically recommended | Yes |
4-Year plan
2023-24 sample Pre-Dentistry 4-year plan (PDF)
Specific program requirements: As with all programs, students should contact the admissions counselor at the dental school they plan to attend to determine specific program requirements.
Pharmacy school preparation
These are the courses required for admission to most pharmacy schools:
| Course(s) | Included in Nutrional Science degree requirements? |
|---|---|
| BIOL 211/211L and 212/212L | Yes |
| CHEM 177 and 177L & CHEM 178 and 178L | Yes |
| CHEM 331 and 331L & CHEM 332 and 332L | Yes, select CHEM 332/L from list of courses. |
| PHYS 131/131L and PHYS 132/132L OR PHYS 221 and 232 | Yes, select from list of courses. |
| BBMB 404 and 405 OR BBMB 303 OR BBMB 316 | Yes |
| PSYCH 101 | Yes, select as social science or required elective credits. |
| ECON 101 | Yes, select as social science or required elective credits. |
| STAT 101 | Yes |
| MATH 160 OR MATH 165 | Yes |
| SPCM 212 | Yes |
4-Year plan
2023-24 sample Pre-Pharmacy 4-year plan (PDF)
Specific program requirements: As with all programs, students should contact the admissions counselor at the pharmacy school they plan to attend to determine specific program requirements.
Physician assistant preparation
These are the courses required for admission to most physician assistant schools:
| Course(s) | Included in Nutrional Science degree requirements? |
|---|---|
| BIOL 211/211L and BIOL 212/212L | Yes |
| BIOL 255 and 255L & BIOL 256 and 256L | Yes |
| CHEM 177 and 177L & CHEM 178 and 178L | Yes |
| CHEM 331 and 331L & CHEM 332 and 332L OR CHEM 231 and 231L | Yes, select CHEM 332/L from list of courses. |
| BBMB 301 OR BBMB 303 OR BBMB 316 | Yes, select from list of courses. |
| PSYCH 101 | Yes, select for social science or required elective credits. |
| STAT 101 | Yes |
4-Year plan
2023-24 sample Pre-Physicians Assistant 4-year plan (PDF)
Specific program requirements: As with all programs, students should contact the admissions counselor at the physician assistant school they plan to attend to determine specific program requirements.
Other
For information about how the Nutritional Science major fulfills requirements for other health professional programs such as the following, contact the Food Science and Human Nutrition adviser:
- Nursing
- Occupational therapy
- Optometry
- Physical therapy school
How do health professional schools view a nutritional science degree?
Professional programs and schools do not require specific majors for entrance. This means that students should choose a major that interests them. Professional schools do not give preference to any major; instead, students must have completed the pre-requisite courses required by the school.
The Nutritional Science degree at Iowa State University combines the pre-requisites for entry into health professional schools with a unique focus on how nutrition impacts human beings. The program also includes substantial flexibility to select research and Independent Study experiences for credit — a valuable experience according to the American Association of Medical Schools. Here are ten things to do to prepare for Medical School.
- American Medical Association: Indicates that completion of prerequisites, a strong foundation in science, and “mastery in an area that a student is passionate about” are most important. More information on the American Medical Association website.
- American Dental Association: Many students incorrectly assume they must major in biology, but a specific undergraduate major is not required for acceptance into dental school, only a good foundation in the sciences. More information on the American Dental Association website.
- American Pharmacists Association: Students do not need to major in pre-pharmacy or chemistry and students enter pharmacy school with a mix of majors. More information on the American Pharmacists Association website.
If I change my mind . . .
Have a backup plan. Less than 10 percent of new freshman who declare themselves pre-med ever apply to medical school, usually because they change their mind. This is an important reason to choose a major that interests you.
In addition to pre-health professional schools:
- Nutritional Science graduates are prepared to go on a to graduate education in nutrition and participate in nutrition research and education.
- The Nutritional Science major has flexibility for students to select courses that will prepare them to work in community nutrition, public health, or private consulting settings.
- Some Nutritional Science students also choose to double major in dietetics so that they have the option to complete a supervised practice experience and take the national registration exam to become a registered dietitian.
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