Department of Nutrition & Food Science
Become by Learning
Learn about the science behind nutrition and food. Help others live healthier lives. Create better food products. The Department of Nutrition & Food Science prepares students to work in the food processing and health care industries.
Our Programs
Nutrition
Want to help people live healthy lives or make new discoveries about diet, disease, and health? Then the nutrition major is for you. This degree can lead to graduate school, and careers as a researcher or scientist, a teacher, consumer advocate, health coach, registered dietitian, healthcare professional, animal professional, or Peace Corps worker.
Food Science & Technology
Apply science to create healthier foods that taste good, process better, ship well, and last longer. Use your creativity or your analytic skills in this major.
Five Minors
Expand your skills or specialize in an area with one of our five minors.
Integrated Agricultural Sciences & Technology: Food Science & Technology Emphasis
Develop your research skills and increase your expertise in this program. It will equip you for careers in teaching, research, or industry.
Applied Nutrition
This program will provide you with a practice-based degree that prepares you to work as a registered dietitian, community nutritionist, or nutrition scientist in other clinical, industry, and public health settings. One program option allows students to combine their master's degree with a dietetic internship or Supervised Practice Experience (SPE). You can fulfill two-thirds of the requirements to sit for the registered dietitian licensing examination in just 12-18 months.
Dietetics
This online program prepares students to become registered dietitians or registered dietitian nutritionists.
Dietetic Internship Certificate
Complete the supervised practice toward becoming a registered dietitian/nutritionist in this internship program.
The Polytechnic Experience
Lab Work
Where else can you play with food? Discover the science behind food. Experiment and create.
Nutritional Counseling
Learn how to help others make healthy food choices.
Join Estudiante de Dietética
Learn how to work effectively with Spanish-speaking clients and how to communicate with them about nutrition and health issues.
Develop Innovative Products
Get hands-on experience creating food products, down to the packaging and nutritional label.
Participate in Collegiate Competitions
Our food science and technology students have excelled in regional and national competitions.
Alumni Success Stories
"The nutrition program at Cal Poly Pomona allowed me to study nutrition while pursuing a career in the medical field. I had incredible professors who mentored me throughout my journey."Jacquelyn Valenzuela-Moss ('21, nutrition) Clinical Research Coordinator, Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Program Recognitions
Accredited & Approved
Our Didactic Program in Dietetics and Dietetic Internship Program are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics. Our food science and technology program is the only one in Southern California approved by the Institute of Food Technologists and the Research Chefs Association.
