# Nutrition and Dietetics (Associate in Science for Transfer)

Shasta College · 2026-2027 Catalog · Department: Nutrition

Source: https://scmainweb.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/files/resources/catalog-2026-2027-compressed.pdf#page=99

### Program description

The Associate in Science in Nutrition and Dietetics for Transfer degree (AS-T in Nutrition and Dietetics) prepares students for success in a baccalaureate degree in Nutrition and Dietetics with the lower-division coursework required to transfer into the CSU system. Students learn about chemicals and nutrients in food and their effects on the human body and the world. The study of nutritional science contributes to preparing students for careers as nutritionists, registered dietitians (RD), food scientists, or other dietetics professionals. The study of Nutrition provides a broad foundation in a practical and personally applicable exposure to a variety of scientific areas of nutrition such as chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, anatomy, physiology, and biology. Popular topics include microbial pathogens, environmental contaminants, nutrigenomics, macronutrient balance, energy metabolism, obesity, global issues, biochemistry of exercise, and micronutrient and phytochemical utilization. Students in the program learn how the scientific method and process contributes to nutritional requirements and how nutrients function from a cellular to more practical level, and then apply this knowledge to their own health. The program also helps students understand the role of nutrition in disease prevention throughout the lifecycle and as an impact on society as a whole.

This degree is approved through the California Community College Chancellor’s Office. Upon satisfactory completion of all degree requirements and filing an application for graduation with Admissions and Records, the student’s transcript will reflect completion of this degree.

### Program learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this degree, the student should be able to:

1. Outline the scientific method as it is used in developing hypotheses and theories, then apply the scientific method-based research, such as in peer-reviewed intervention, epidemiological, lab, and case studies, to the critical evaluation of nutrition-related literature and media, thus differentiating between proven scientific based research and myth.
2. List and describe the basic chemical structures of the six classes of nutrients and the substances therein; their action, interaction, and balance in relation to health and disease.
3. Outline the process by which the human body ingests, digests, absorbs, transports, utilizes and excretes food substances.

In addition to the 34-unit general education pattern for Cal-GETC, students must complete the core courses listed below for the Associate in Science in Nutrition and Dietetics for Transfer Degree. Students must also obtain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 and a C or better in each major course, or a “P" if the course is taken on a Pass/No Pass basis.

**Requirements**

| Course | Title | Units |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Required core** | |  |
| NUTR-25 | Nutrition | 3 |
| PSYC-C1000 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| CHEM-1A | General Chemistry | 5 |
| MICR-1 | Microbiology | 5 |
| **LIST A (Select two)** | |  |
| PHY-1 | Physiology | 5 |
| or ANAT-1 | Human Anatomy | 5 |
| STAT-C1000 | Introduction to Statistics | 4 |
| or SOC-3 | Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences | 3 |
| **LIST B (Select one)** | |  |
| CHEM-2B | Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry | 5 |
| CULA-45 | Basic Food Production | 5 |
| **#May be used to fulfill Cal-GETC requirements. See a counselor.** | |  |

**Associate in Science in Nutrition and Dietetics for Transfer Degree Requirements**

| Course | Title | Units |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Major** | | 29-30 |
| **General Education (Cal-GETC)** | | 34 |
| **Additional Electives** | | 9-10 |
| **Degree Total Will Not Exceed 60 Units** | | **60** |
| **Number will vary depending on units that double count.** | |  |