Nutritional and Nutraceutical Sciences
Why Study Nutritional and Nutraceutical Sciences at U of G?
"Let food be thy medicine, and let medicine be thy food.”
~ Hippocrates
Nutritional and Nutraceutical Sciences (NANS) is a unique major in Canada and focuses on understanding the contribution of food, beverage and nutritional supplement consumption to growth, development of optimal biological function, maintenance of health, and treatment of disease. The program explores how we can use foods and nutrients to develop innovative products that will benefit humans, animals and the environment.
After building a foundation in the biological sciences, students examine the biology of nutrition from a molecular and cellular level to the whole organism. In senior years, you will dive deeper, taking courses on the role of nutrients in maintaining health and preventing and treating disease, the connection between foods, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical drugs, and regulatory policies, among other courses. Are you interested in delving deeper into nutrients, dietary supplements, and functional foods?
Develop a Foundation in Human Health and Nutrition
Offered within the Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, this major provides a broad grounding in the biology of nutrition, physiology, pathology, pharmacology and nutraceuticals.
Help Solve Contemporary Nutrition Issues
Tackle current problems in the food, pharmaceutical and natural health product industries through a deep understanding of how nutrients, phytochemicals, toxins and food processing affect the human body.
Gain Hands-on Research Experience
Complete a research course with a faculty member in a discipline related to nutrition, food, nutraceuticals, health and disease to further your skills and experience in the field. Take advantage of cutting-edge research facilities, including the Human Nutraceutical Research Unit, the Guelph Family Health Study and the Guelph Food Innovation Centre.
To see all courses offered in the Nutritional and Nutraceutical Sciences program, visit our Academic Calendar.
- Top Comprehensive University
- in Canada (Maclean’s 2025)
- Top 150 in the World
- for Life Sciences (Times Higher Education 2025)
- Top 20% in the World
- for Biological Sciences (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025)
- Top 15 in the World
- for Nutrition and Food Science (EduRank 2025)
Gain Valuable Experience Through Co-op
The Nutritional and Nutraceutical Sciences co-op is a five-year program that includes five paid work terms. Apply what you’ve learned in the classroom to the real world, with hands-on work experiences available in private, non-profit, and governmental organizations. Benefits of co-op include:
- Relevant work experience
- Up to 2 years of work experience
- Earning while learning
- Career exploration
- Professional networking
Students can apply for the co-op program directly from high school or later for in-course admission. Learn more about the Nutritional and Nutraceutical Sciences co-op program.
- Laboratory Assistant
- Product Developer
- Quality Assurance Student
- Research and Development Co-op in Sports Nutrition
- Recipe Developer and Nutrition Expert
- Research Assistant
- Sensory Evaluator
Careers in Nutritional and Nutraceutical Sciences
Our graduates find work in international health and nutrition organizations, government regulatory bodies and advisory agencies, or pursue related graduate studies. Students interested in becoming registered dietitians should learn more about the BASc Applied Human Nutrition program.
Here are just a few careers our graduates have successfully pursued:
- Brand Manager
- Chiropractor
- Clinical Biochemist
- Clinical Research Coordinator
- Family Physician
- Formulation Specialist
- Naturopathic Doctor
- Paramedic
- Pharmaceutical Research and Development
- Product Development Specialist
- Registered Nurse
- Regulatory Specialist
- Research & Development Scientist
- Research Assistant
- Scientific Project Coordinator
Hear From NANS Students and Graduates
The Nutritional and Nutraceutical Sciences program taught me how nutrients can help prevent and treat diseases and gave me the chance to explore how bioactives in food can be used to create innovative products. I really value the understanding I gained about the steps involved in bringing such products to market, as it's something I can now apply in my current role.
My advice to those even slightly considering applying to Nutritional and Nutraceutical Sciences, would be to apply! There are so many different career paths afterwards and people are transitioning to a more holistic approach which is exactly what the program encompasses.
Discover More Options
Students considering Nutritional and Nutraceutical Sciences may also be interested in Food Science, Applied Human Nutrition, or other majors.
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