Nutritionists/dieticians are health specialists who create diets for individuals. They teach patients about healthy food habits/lifestyles and staying aware of developments in nutrition and medicine. Dietetics emphasizes on food management, whereas nutrition emphases on the promotion of health by way of healthy food. Through a healthy diet, nutritionists/dieticians facilitate in improving their patients’ quality of life as well as overall well-being. The demand for nutritionists/dieticians has significantly increased over the years owing to increased awareness among individuals to stay healthy and avoid high-calorie diets resulting in hypertension, obesity, and other food-related diseases.
Top colleges
For B.Sc.
- National Institute of Nutrition
- J.D. Birla Institute of Home Science
- Lady Irwin College
- S.N.D.T. Women’s University
- All India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health
For M.Sc.
- Manav Rachna International University
- SGT University
- Women’s Christian College
- Kurukshetra University
- Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University
- Alphonsa College
- Andhra University
- Berhampur University
- JSS University
- SRM University
- Islamic University of Science and Technology
- Raja Balwant Singh Engineering Technical Campus
- Ch. Devi Lal State Institute Of Engineering and Technology
- Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology
- Haldia Institute of Technology
Highlights
| Course Level | Undergraduate and Post Graduate |
|---|---|
| Duration | U.G. - 3 Years and P.G. - 2 Years |
| Eligibility | U.G. - Passing 10+2 and P.G. - Graduate with 50% minimum marks |
| Examination Type | Semester System |
| Admission Process | Counselling after Entrance Examination |
| Average fee | INR 2 to 5 Lacs |
| Average Starting Salary | INR 3 to 15 Lacs |
| Top Recruiting Companies/Fields | Hospitals, Nursing Home Facilities, Catering Departments (Starred Hotels), Health Department (Government), Restaurants etc. |
Eligibility:
| Course | Eligibility | Duration | Entrance |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.G. - B.S.c in Dietetics and Applied Nutrition | 10+2 with minimum 50% marks | 3 Years | State or National Level Examination. Some colleges and universities have their own entrance examination, some even have their selection done in merit basis. |
| P.G. - M.Sc in Dietetics and Applied Nutrition | Graduation with 50% minimum marks | 2 Years |
State or National Level Examination like: TIFR Graduate School Admissions (GS), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS PG ) exam, Joint Entrance Screening Test (JEST), Indian Institute of Technology – Joint Admission Test (IIT JAM ) Some colleges and universities have their own entrance examination, some even have their selection done in merit basis. |
Top Recruiters
- Nestle
- Cadbury’s
- Unilever
- GSK
- Novartis
- Dumex
- Eli Lily
- Food & Nutrition Board
- Apollo Hospitals
- Le Meridian
- Taj Group
- Vatika Group
- Hyatt Corporation
- Accord Hospitality
- Fortis Hospital
- Billroth Hospital
Admission Process:
For B.Sc.
Admission to the course at some colleges and institutes offering B.Sc. in Nutrition and Dietetics is based on the candidate’s performance in the relevant entrance examination conducted by the concerned university.
Admission to the course at some other colleges/ institutes, however, is based on the candidate’s scores in the qualifying exam, i.e. classes X and XII. Subsequently, a merit list is prepared, based on which seats are allotted to the shortlisted candidates.
For M.Sc.
Some colleges also offer admission on the basis of obtained merit at the level of graduation. However, generally, in most of the colleges and institutes offering the course, admission is provided based on the candidate’s performance in a relevant entrance test, conducted at any of State and national levels, followed by a subsequent round of counselling
Syllabus
UG Dietetics and Nutrition Program ( B. Sc. in Dietetics and Nutrition )
| Semester - 1 |
Food and Nutrition Introduction to Food and Nutrition Human Physiology Communication Skills and Personality Development Food Chemistry Computer Fundamentals |
|---|---|
| Semester - 2 |
Nutritional Biochemistry Maternal and Child Health Human Nutrition Public Health and Nutrition |
| Semester - 3 |
Food Quality and Analysis Family Meal Planning Food Microbiology Industrial Management and Facility Planning |
| Semester - 4 |
Food Science Food Preservation Basics of Bakery & Confectionary |
| Semester - 5 |
Food Packaging and Marketing Management Dietetics 1 Ethics and Environmental Studies |
| Semester - 6 |
Food Biotechnology Food Service Management Dietetics 2 Diet and Patient Counselling Internship |
PG Dietetics and Nutrition Program ( M.Sc. in Dietetics and Nutrition )
| Semester - 1 |
Food Science Nutrition through Development Stages Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods Diet Therapy I Computer Applications |
|---|---|
| Semester - 2 |
Advanced Nutrition Diet Control Community Nutrition Diet Therapy II Food Cost Quality Control |
| Semester - 3 |
Advanced Nutrition II Research Methodology Statistics Nutritional Biochemistry Nutritional Management Safety |
| Semester - 6 |
Clinical Nutrition Financial and Food Management Internship |
Skills
The sound knowledge of diets and nutrition alone cannot take an aspiring individual to a great heights, there are certain skills the aspiring individual should posses in order to be successful in this field. These skills make the work enjoyable and can also help in understanding the patient's problem properly. Some of the important skills are mentioned below:
- Communication Skills
- Interpersonal Skills
- Time Management
- Team Working Skills
- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Skills
- Service Orientation Skills
- Persuasion and Negotiation Skills
- Judgment and Decision-Making Skills
Top Entrances:
The colleges providing this course have their own entrance examinations conducted by the organizing body. There are many state and national level exams whose score card is accepted by the University and colleges providing Dietetics and Applied Nutrition. There are many colleges and universities who select the candidates on merit basis. Some of the top level state and national level universities are mentioned below:
- TIFR Graduate School Admissions (GS)
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS PG ) exam
- Joint Entrance Screening Test (JEST)
- Indian Institute of Technology – Joint Admission Test (IIT JAM )
- Indira Gandhi National Open University Entrance Exam (IGNOU )
- Indian School of Mines Entrance Exam
- Jawaharlal Nehru University Entrance Examination (JNUEE)
- Central Universities Common Entrance Test (CUCET)
- Jawaharlal Nehru University Combined Entrance Examination for 11. Biotechnology (JNU CEEB)
- National Entrance Screening Test (NEST)
- Birla Institute of Technology and Science Admission Test (BITSAT)
Career
| Job Prospectus | Job Description | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Sports Nutritionist/Dietician | Teaching athletes/fitness enthusiasts effectual ways to improve health, optimize performance, manage weight, advise on dietary practices/exercises and intake of vitamins/minerals/supplements | 3-4 lacs |
| Clinical Dietician/Nutritionist | Design/supervise tailored nutritional programs for healthcare patients after evaluating/assessing patients' individual requirements. | 2-3 lakhs |
| Community Dietician/Nutritionist | Working with large groups of individuals and educating them on food nutrition and adopting a healthy lifestyle. | 3-4 lakhs |
| Pediatric Dietician/Nutritionist | Works with children suffering from diabetes/ obesity and assists them in incorporating a nutritious and balanced diet. | 2-4 lakhs |
| Management Dietician/Nutritionist | Work in places such as cafeterias/hospitals/healthcare facilities/schools to ensure their clients’ nutritional/dietary needs are met, create budgets for meal plans meeting nutritional guidelines and oversee kitchen staffs/other dieticians | 7-8 lakhs |
| R&D Dietician/Nutritionist | Works in R&D laboratories to ensure the quality and nutritional standards of food products. | 10-11 lakhs |
| Consultant Dietician/Nutritionist | Responsible for understanding different individual’s requirements/lifestyles and designing the best diet/nutrition plan for them. | 7-8 lakhs |
FAQ's
Q: Who are the top recruiters in this field?
A: Some of the top recruiters are mentioned below:
- Nestle
- Cadbury’s
- Unilever
- GSK
- Novartis
Q: What are the top colleges for M.Sc in Dietetics and Applied Nutrition?
A: Some of the top colleges are mentioned below:
- Manav Rachna International University
- SGT University
- Women’s Christian College
- Kurukshetra University
- Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University
Q: What is the course duration of Dietetics and Applied Nutrition?
A: The course duration for Dietetics and Applied Nutrition is mentioned below:
- U.G - 3 Years
- P.G. - 2 Years
Q: What are the minimum eligibility for the course of Dietetics and Applied Nutrition?
A: The minimum eligibility for the course is mentioned below;
- B.Sc: 10+2 with minimum marks of 50%
- M.Sc : Graduation with 50% minimum marks
Q: What are the top entrances for this course?
A: The top entrances for this course is as follows:
- TIFR Graduate School Admissions (GS)
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS PG ) exam
- Joint Entrance Screening Test (JEST)
- Indian Institute of Technology – Joint Admission Test (IIT JAM)
For more details see the entrance section.
Q: What are the important skills required in this field?
A: Some of the important skills required in this field are as follows:
- Communication Skills
- Interpersonal Skills
- Time Management
- Team Working Skills
- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Skills
Q: Mention some of the top colleges for B.Sc in Dietetics and Applied Nutrition ?
A: Some of the top colleges are mentioned below:
- National Institute of Nutrition
- J.D. Birla Institute of Home Science
- Lady Irwin College
Q: What are the top career profiles in the field of Dietetics and Applied Nutrition?
A: Some of the top career profiles in Dietetics and Applied Nutrition are as follows;
- Sports Nutritionist/Dietician
- Pediatric Dietician/Nutritionist
- R&D Dietician/Nutritionist
- Management Dietician/Nutritionist
