Whether you are passionate about improving the nutritional health of individuals, groups and populations, developing novel food products, or working towards a sustainable food system, there is a Foods and Nutrition program option at UPEI that is right for you! We offer
- a Foods and Nutrition major and honours
- a dietetic internship
- a Foods and Nutrition co-operative education program
- a Foods and Nutrition minor for students majoring in other programs
Meet Humphrey Muthoni, UPEI Foods and Nutrition graduate (Class of 2023)
After graduating in May of 2023, Humphrey is currently working as a catering manager for a PEI food services company. He plans to become a food scientist in the near future.
What's unique about our Foods and Nutrition program?
At UPEI, we know our students well! Our small classes and our dedicated faculty that care about their teaching and their students will make you feel like you belong.
We offer many practical learning experiences, including opportunities to conduct nutritional assessments and provide nutrition counselling for real “clients”; operate a small campus restaurant; and, develop new food products in our state-of-the-art foods laboratory. All these activities will prepare you for the career you want!
Foods and Nutrition students have choices!
You can apply to our dietetic internship program in third year, where approximately 70% of applicants are accepted and are eligible for registration as a dietitian—the program takes just four-and-a-half years to complete.
We also have a Foods and Nutrition co-operative education program, where students apply at the beginning of second year to participate in paid work terms in the food industry over the course of the degree. Whether you choose the dietetic internship or co-op education programs, you will be placed in a variety of positions in health care facilities, public health, community settings, and the food production and processing sector. Our students often gain research experience working with department professors in areas such as childhood nutrition, health administration, food security, chronic disease prevention and management, nutrition education, and food product development. Students can also decide to complete our honours program in Foods and Nutrition to prepare for postgraduate study. Students with strong academic standing can also apply to the Masters in Human Biology program (with a nutrition related research project).
Need more information about Foods and Nutrition?
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Note: Current UPEI students should refer to Student Planning in myUPEI and the UPEI Academic Calendar governing their entry year, and speak to an academic advisor about course requirements. The course structure presented for this program is a recommended, unofficial progression for prospective students.
Note: As per Academic Regulation 1h, all undergraduate degree programs require successful completion of IKE-1040 (new for students beginning or returning after re-application in Fall 2022); one of UPEI-1010, UPEI-1020, or UPEI-1030, and a Writing Intensive Course.
Our Foods and Nutrition major program provides students with a comprehensive background in the key areas of nutrition, including medical nutrition therapy, community nutrition, food service management, food science and product development and the nature of our food system. Experiential learning opportunities are a priority for all students in our Foods and Nutrition programs through labs, tutorials and community-based activities. This ensures that students are able to apply what they learn in the classroom and makes it that much easier to get a job after graduation!
Joanne Severe, a fourth-year University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) Foods and Nutrition student and dietetic intern, won the Undergraduate Research Award for her thesis and presentation, “Mealtime in Child Care Centres: Exploring Educators’ Feeding Practices,” at the annual Science Atlantic Nutrition and Foods Conference, hosted virtually on April 28 and 29, 2023, by UPEI.
Students following this degree program must complete 42 semester hours of required courses in Foods and Nutrition.
Visit the Foods and Nutrition section of the UPEI Academic Calendar to read about required courses for a major, and suggested course sequence by year of study.
Career choices for Foods and Nutrition majors include food service management, community food program facilitation, health education and promotion, community development work, program planning and implementation, food security and school meal program coordination, food marketing, food product development, food safety inspection and coordination, quality assurance, food policy analysis, and health administration.
Our Foods and Nutrition graduates can also apply to UPEI graduate programs in human biology or the Master of Applied Health Services Research, and professional programs like nursing, education, medicine, and physiotherapy.
Students intending to do a Minor in Foods and Nutrition are advised to consult with the Chair of the Department of Applied Human Sciences to ensure that they have the required course prerequisites.
A total of 21 semester hours of credit in Foods and Nutrition.
Visit the Foods and Nutrition section of the UPEI Academic Calendar to read about required courses for a minor.
In addition to the courses required for the Foods and Nutrition major, students interested in applying for a dietetic internship (either UPEI Integrated Dietetic Internship or a post-graduate internship) must take specific courses, as outlined in the Dietetic Option section of the UPEI Academic Calendar.
The Integrated Dietetic Internship is a 126-semester hour program that leads to a major in Foods and Nutrition with Dietetic Internship, and meets current accreditation standards for dietetic education and practice. Upon successful completion of the Internship Program, students will have fulfilled the competencies required to reach entry-level professional dietetic competence, and will be eligible to apply for admission to the dietetics profession.
Visit the Foods and Nutrition section of the UPEI Academic Calendar to read about required courses for the Dietetic Option in Foods and Nutrition, and suggested course sequence by year of study.
For more information about the program, potential careers, and how to apply, see the Integrated Dietetic Internship program page.
Students can apply in their third year to complete an honours in Foods and Nutrition. The Honours program in Foods and Nutrition is designed to provide research experience at the undergraduate level within the Bachelor of Science in Foods and Nutrition major. It is available to students with a strong academic background who intend to continue studies at the post graduate level in Foods and Nutrition or related field, or to students who intend to pursue a career where research experience would be an asset. Students who are accepted into the integrated internship program are also eligible to apply for an honours in Foods and Nutrition.
Visit the Foods and Nutrition section of the UPEI Academic Calendar to read about required courses for honours in Foods and Nutrition, and suggested course sequence by year of study.
The Foods and Nutrition co-operative education program will provide you with a competitive advantage and an opportunity to gain experience in various types of food-related employment while you are a student in the Food and Nutrition program. Through the co-op program's paid work terms, you will engage in hands-on activities in real-world work environments, apply the knowledge and skills gained in your courses, build your professional network, and develop transferable skills.
What are some potential careers for co-operative education students?
Students may be employed as
- food product developers
- food safety inspectors and coordinators
- quality assurance specialists
- food educators and promoters
- program planners and implementers
- food marketers
... and others.
How to apply to co-operative education
Foods and Nutrition students may apply to the Foods and Nutrition co-operative education program at the beginning of their second year. Students cannot be enrolled in both the Foods and Nutrition Co-operative Education program and the Integrated Dietetic Internship.
Visit the Co-operative Education Program website for application and eligibility information.
High School Graduates
Canadian High School Equivalency Chart
- Grade 12 Academic English
- Grade 12 Academic Mathematics
- Two Grade 12 Academic Science subjects (acceptable subjects: Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Computer Science, Oceanography, Animal Science, Environmental Science)
- One additional Grade 12 Academic course
Please note: Successful completion of Grade 12 Chemistry (or equivalent) is required as a prerequisite for permission to register in CHEM-1110.
Please refer to the UPEI Academic Calendar for complete admissions information.
UPEI's undergraduate tuition is the second-lowest in the Atlantic region, and we offer millions of dollars in scholarships and awards.
Tuition
$7,170 per year, based on 30 credit hours ($717 per 3 credit course).
International students pay $8,410 per year in addition to full-time student tuition.
For a complete breakdown of part-time or full-time study as a student in the Faculty of Science, visit our Tuition and Fees page.
Scholarships and Awards
UPEI supports you and your educational goals. We administer millions of dollars in scholarships and awards to our undergraduate and graduate students every year. Depending on your faculty or program, and year of study, you may be eligible for available awards.
Search the complete list of scholarships for information and application forms.
Celebrating Student Achievement
Including Guaranteed Entrance Scholarships and Academic Excellence Awards, these awards recognize the academic achievements of all students who meet the eligibility criteria while studying towards their first undergraduate degree.
Visit the Scholarships site for complete information.
UPEI has about 250 faculty—exceptional scholars, teachers, and mentors, with more being hired each year as we open new, progressive, and unique programs. But the story isn’t just in the numbers. It’s in the quality of our people. Award-winning faculty from around the globe have made UPEI home. Here, you’ll learn directly from these world-class professors and researchers in small classes where you’ll have easy access to them.
