Dietician advising a client

Honours Bachelor of Food and Nutrition Sciences - Dietetics (BFNSc)

The foods we eat are essential to maintaining the health of individuals and populations. Students in the BFNSc will have an in-depth knowledge of the sciences underlying the production, consumption and metabolism of a wide variety of foods, as well as their effects on health, disease prevention and management. 

Upon enrolment in the program, students may choose to specialize in dietetics by enrolling in the BFNSc-Dietetics directly or by choosing this specialization after one year of study in the BFNSc base Program. 

Both the BFNSc base program and the BFNSc - Dietetics offer multiple opportunities to actively participate in experiential learning projects. Several optional courses on currently relevant subjects, as well as internship opportunities in public institutions, community, clinical or industrial settings, are integrated into the curriculum. Our programs are taught by dynamic professors actively engaged in food and nutrition research.

Let's compare our BFNSc Programs

  Food and Nutrition Sciences Food and Nutrition Sciences - Dietetics
Description

Aims to educate food scientists

Focuses on the acquisition of knowledge in microbiology, physico-chemical and sensory properties of food, preparing graduates for careers in the agri-food sector such as agri-food industries, food businesses, food science research centres and government departments. As the only food science training offered in the context of a faculty of health sciences in Canada, this program places greater emphasis on the health impact of food.

Aims to educate future dietitians.

Focuses on the acquisition of essential knowledge and skills related to the practice of dietitians. This professional dietetic education program is an accredited program, recognized by the Partnership for Dietetic Education and Practice (PDEP), that prepares students for admission to a provincial dietetic regulatory body.

Practical learning

Major project options

  • Internship in an industrial environment
  • Food product development
  • Food Research

Practicum placement locations

  • Hospitals
  • Community health centres
  • Health Canada
  • Long-term care centres
  • Private clinics
  • Public health agencies
  • Sports centres
  • Agri-food companies and food services
Course sequence Compulsory and optional courses Compulsory and optional courses
Career options
  • Food product developer
  • Entrepreneur
  • Food Science Researcher
  • Food Inspector
  • Quality Assurance Specialist
  • Food Safety Technologist
  • Dietitian
  • Nutrition researcher
  • Dietitian in community organisations
  • Public health dietitian
  • Governmental health promotion specialist
  • Food service manager
Graduate studies
  • Food Chemistry
  • Health Sciences
  • Food Microbiology
  • Nutrition 
  • Nutrition
  • Health Sciences
  • Food Chemistry
  • Medicine
  • Epidemiology
Language requirements

Offered in French and English.

A French immersion option is also available.

This program is offered in French to bilingual students. Students must demonstrate proficiency in English in order to understand a portion of the theoretical material and to participate in clinical placements. 

Choose BFNSc at uOttawa

  • Food and nutrition science is one of the 10 fastest growing areas of health, with an impressive growth rate of 21% projected by 2022 in North America.
  • The Faculty of Health Sciences offers mentoring and academic success support services.
  • The School of Nutrition Sciences offers lunchtime presentations related to nutrition and food sciences.
  • The Nutrition Sciences Students Association (NSSA) is very dynamic and stimulates interaction between students of all years.
  • The opportunity to learn about research fields through scholarships.
  • The Faculty is located close to industry leaders, major government agencies and an extensive hospital network.
  • We are the largest bilingual university in the world, at the crossroads of languages and cultures.
  • The University of Ottawa ranks in the top 1% of the world's top universities and in the top 10 Canadian universities, with state-of-the-art learning and research facilities adapted to each discipline.
  • The main campus is strategically located in the heart of downtown Ottawa and close to #ByWardMarket

Le Consortium national de formation en santé (CNFS)

The Consortium national de formation en santé (CNFS) is a national association of post-secondary institutions that offer educational programs in French for various health-care professions. 

The CNFS aims to improve access to health-care services in French in minority language communities by training Francophone health-care professionals and by supporting research related to this training and to the needs of these communities. 

The University of Ottawa is one of 16 CNFS member institutions. 

Its role is to support the health-care sector students, professors, researchers, professionals and supervisors who are involved in its targetted programs in three faculties, namely the Faculty of Medicine, the Faculty of Health Sciences, and the Faculty of Social Sciences. 

Students walking through campus

Are you passionate about food, nutrition and health?

Our Honours Bachelor of Food and Nutrition Sciences (BFNSc) is for you!
Start your application now