Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics

Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics
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Description

In compliance with Law No. 82 of May 31, 1972, as amended, only individuals who hold a license issued by the Examining Board of Nutritionists and Dietitians are authorized to practice as nutritionists-dietitians in Puerto Rico.

According to the provisions established by this law, the requirements for obtaining the license are:

  • Holding a bachelor’s degree with a concentration in nutrition and dietetics.
  • Having completed a supervised internship in nutrition and dietetics or, alternatively, holding a master’s or doctoral degree in the field.
  • Passing the Licensing Examination to Practice as a Nutritionist-Dietitian in Puerto Rico.

The Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics is one of the essential academic requirements mandated by law to be eligible for the licensing exam. This program has been designed as a comprehensive educational experience aimed at preparing highly qualified professionals to meet the current challenges in the field of nutritional health. Its main features include:

  • Strong theoretical and applied knowledge, along with essential skills and competencies to improve population health.
  • Integration of scientific principles, enabling students to develop competencies to address the nutritional needs of individuals or groups, both in healthy conditions and in situations of risk or illness, with the goal of improving quality of life.
  • Promotion of nutritional care that respects diverse cultures and individual beliefs, aligned with ethical, legal, and social justice principles.
  • An ethical, legal, and socially just approach that fosters respect for cultural diversity and individual beliefs in professional practice.
  • Encouragement of reflective and critical thinking to effectively address and solve emerging problems in the field of nutrition and dietetics.

Outcomes

Objectives

  • Train professionals with solid theoretical and applied knowledge, as well as the necessary skills, attitudes, and competencies to contribute to the improvement of nutritional health in society across various settings.
  • Prepare professionals who, through the integration of scientific principles that underpin the work of the nutritionist-dietitian, are capable of engaging in nutritional education and care across all stages of the life cycle, both in times of health and illness.
  • Provide nutritional care to individuals and/or groups with respect for their habits, beliefs, and cultures, while upholding ethical, legal, and social justice principles.
  • Foster reflective and critical thinking in order to function effectively, make informed decisions, and confront and solve emerging problems in the field of nutrition and dietetics.
  • Apply technological tools and digital competencies that enhance high-quality professional performance.

Graduate Profile

  • Integrate the foundations of food and nutrition sciences and physiology into dietetic practice.
  • Detect dietetic-nutritional problems, risk factors, and inappropriate eating practices in order to propose improvements in line with healthy eating principles and the specific characteristics and needs of individuals or groups.
  • Conduct nutritional assessments and make diagnoses using protocols based on dietary indicators, taking into account health status, physiology, and individual and collective lifestyles.
  • Develop the necessary skills, competencies, and attitudes to implement the Nutrition Care Process in the nutritional care of healthy individuals, those at risk, or those with illness, while respecting their cultural identity.
  • Gain experience with the real-world professional practice of the nutritionist-dietitian with both healthy and ill individuals.
  • Participate in the management, organization, and operation of food services, ensuring the needs of diners are met and guaranteeing nutritional and sanitary quality while managing human, material, and financial resources.
  • Provide guidance in the development, marketing, labeling, communication, and promotion of food products to ensure their nutritional and sanitary quality, based on societal needs, scientific knowledge, and the country’s current legislation.
  • Apply scientific knowledge of nutrition and food to the development, organization, and evaluation of programs aimed at promoting optimal quality of life, tailored to the cultural identity and social characteristics of the target population.
  • Internalize the professional values and competencies specific to the nutritionist-dietitian.
  • Act in accordance with ethical, deontological principles and the regulatory standards of professional practice in each context.

Target Audience

The Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics at the International Iberoamerican University is designed for individuals interested in becoming highly qualified professionals capable of addressing today’s challenges in the field of nutritional health. It is intended for those who wish to acquire a strong foundation in nutrition and dietetics and who meet the university’s admission requirements as well as the specific requirements of the academic program.

Admission requirements for the program are: 

  • Graduation from high school or secondary school in Puerto Rico and the United States (or equivalent, depending on the student's country of origin), and the requirements for admission to the program.
  • Have a cumulative overall average (GPA) of 3.0 (or the equivalent grade in the grading system of the country of study).
  • Demonstrate completion of studies through a diploma or its equivalent. 

Duration

The maximum time allotted to complete the program is 5 years, divided into 10 semesters. The credit structure of the Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics is as follows:

General Education: 33 credits.

Core subjects: 27 credits.

Major: 63 credits.

Electives: 9 credits.

 

Structure

 

First year

SEMESTER 1
Component Code Subject name Prerequisites Credits
Core subject CDS001 Human Biology I: Anatomy N/A 3
General IYA012 Chemistry N/A 3
General CDS062 Cellular and Molecular Biology N/A 3
General SP027 Writing, Reading, and Comprehension of Written Works N/A 3
General MM015 Tools and Techniques for Effective Communication on the Internet N/A 3
TOTAL 15
SEMESTER 2
Component Code Subject name Prerequisites Credits
Core subject CDS005 Human Biology II: Physiology N/A 3
Core subject IYA055 Organic Chemistry N/A 3
General IYA009 Mathematics N/A 3
Core subject CDS012 Microbiology and Parasitology N/A 3
General MM015 Tools and Techniques for Effective Communication on the Internet N/A 3
TOTAL 15

 

Second year

SEMESTER 1
Component Code Subject name Prerequisites Credits
Major SN403 Nutrition and Dietetics N/A 3
Core subject CDS061 Human Biology III: Physiology CDS005 3
General CSJ024 Statistics I N/A 4
Core subject CDS008 Biochemistry N/A 3
General CSJ018 History and Anthropology of Food N/A 3
TOTAL 16
SEMESTER 2
Component Code Subject name Prerequisites Credits
Major SN405 Assessment of Nutritional Status and Body Composition SN403 3
Core subject CDS025 Human Biology IV: Pathophysiology and Pharmacology CDS061 3
Major CDS010 Nutrition and Metabolism CDS008 3
Major LG002 Food Science I N/A 3
Major SN271 Public Health Applied to Nutrition N/A 3
TOTAL 15

 

Third year

SEMESTER 1
Component Code Subject name Prerequisites Credits
Major SN406 Applied Dietetics I SN405 3
Major SN328 Food Hygiene and Safety N/A     3
Core subject CDS065 Human Biology V: Pathophysiology and Pharmacology CDS025 3
Major LG003 Food Science II LG002 3
Major SN327 Epidemiology and Community Nutrition SN405 3
TOTAL 15
SEMESTER 2
Component Code Subject name Prerequisites Credits
Major SN407 Applied Dietetics II SN403 3
Major CDS091 Food Service Systems I SN328 3
Major SN404 Culinary Techniques and Gastronomy CDS008 3
General CSJ014 Interpersonal Communication N/A 2
Elective   Elective subject 11 N/A 3
TOTAL 14

 

Fourth year

SEMESTER 1
Component Code Subject name Prerequisites Credits
Major SN400 Clinical Dietetics I SN407 3
Major SN399 Food Service Systems II CDS091 3
Core subject SN199 Methodology of Scientific Research N/A 3
General BT009 General Bioethics N/A 3
Elective   Elective subject 21 N/A 3
TOTAL 16
SEMESTER 2
Component Code Subject name Prerequisites Credits
Major SN401 Clinical Dietetics II SN400 3
Major CSJ130 Nutritional Education N/A 3
Major SN398 International and Puerto Rican Food Law and Deontology N/A 3
General LG002 Contemporary Society N/A 3
Elective   Elective subject 31 N/A 3
TOTAL 15

 

Fifth year

SEMESTER 1
Component Code Subject name Prerequisites Credits
Major SN402 Clinical Dietetics III N/A 3
Major SNGND_SP_PR Seminar on Integration and Fundamentals in the Nutritionist-Dietitian2 N/A 6
Major SNPF3 Final Project3 SN199 and have passed 66% of the academic program 6
TOTAL 15
SEMESTER 2
Component Code Subject name Prerequisites Credits
Major PP_SNGND3 Professional Internships4 All subjects, except Final Project 3
TOTAL 3
  1. The student selects 3 elective subjects (9 credits).
  2. Students from Puerto Rico are required to take the subject “Integration Seminar and Fundamentals of the Nutritionist-Dietitian Profession” instead of the “Final Project” course.
  3. International students are required to take the “Final Project” subject instead of the “Integration Seminar and Fundamentals of the Nutritionist-Dietitian Profession”.
  4. Professional internships are regulated in Puerto Rico.

Optative Modules

The student must complete a total of 3 elective subjects. Each of these courses includes a set of available subjects.

Driven by motivation, educational or professional interests, the student selects one of the available courses for each of the 3 elective subjects required:

ELECTIVE 1 SUBJECTS AVAILABLE
Code Subject name Prerequisites Credits
IDI001 English I N/A 3
SN347 Food Allergies and Intolerances: Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment N/A 3
CSJ025 Psychology of Motivation N/A 3
SN306 Sports Nutrition N/A 3
SN338 Food Safety and Nutrition N/A 3
ELECTIVE 2 SUBJECTS AVAILABLE
Code Subject name Prerequisites Credits
IDI002 English II IDI001 3
CDS040 Ergogenic Aids N/A 3
CDS081 Hygiene in the Food Industry N/A 3
SN333 Breastfeeding and Complementary Feeding of Infants N/A 3
RH020 Online Marketing for Healthcare Services N/A 3
ELECTIVE 3 SUBJECTS AVAILABLE
Code Subject name Prerequisites Credits
IYA046 Design and Innovation in Food N/A 3
CDS050 Promotion and Prescription of Physical Activity for Health N/A 3
SN374 Sensory Analysis of Food N/A 3
CSJ134 Conflict Resolution and Mediation N/A 3
SN290 Psychological Counseling in the Dietetic-Nutritional Consultation N/A 3

Degree

Upon successful completion of all courses in the Bachelor's program, and after meeting any other academic, administrative, and financial requirements established and demanded by the university, the following academic degree will be awarded: BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NUTRITION AND DIETETICS.

Note: In compliance with Law No. 82 of May 31, 1972, as amended, only individuals who hold a license issued by the Examining Board of Nutritionists and Dietitians are authorized to practice as nutritionists-dietitians in Puerto Rico.

According to the provisions established by this law, the requirements for obtaining the license are:

  • Holding a bachelor’s degree with a concentration in nutrition and dietetics.
  • Having completed a supervised internship in nutrition and dietetics or, alternatively, holding a master’s or doctoral degree in the field.
  • Passing the Licensing Examination to Practice as a Nutritionist-Dietitian in Puerto Rico.