About the Program
Bachelor of Science (BS)
The Department of Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology offers two undergraduate major program specializations: Physiology and Metabolism and Toxicology leading to a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree. As of Summer 2024, The Nutritional Sciences & Toxicology department has undergone curriculum and structural changes for the previous NST majors (Physiology & Metabolism, Toxicology, and Dietetics) that has led to the development of our new and consolidated major — Nutrition & Metabolic Biology (NMB)! The goals and learning outcomes of the major are the same as the Nutritional Science - Physiology & Metabolism major. There are slight changes in the major curriculum and requirements that can be found here and on the NMB major snapshot. This is an excellent major for those interested in studying nutrition as it relates to human biology and chemistry.
The Physiology and Metabolism and Toxicology specializations offer ideal preparations for health-related careers such as medicine, pharmacy, optometry, and dentistry. The curricula include many courses required for professional school admission. NST graduates who have entered health-related professional schools report appreciation for the in-depth preparation afforded by these specializations.
Now is an exciting time to explore the sciences of nutrition and toxicology. The media have highlighted many questions about the role of diet in development and aging, the safety of genetically modified foods, links among diet, cancer, and chronic diseases, and the problems of global malnutrition.
The curriculum, driven by NST faculty research, covers a breadth of topics including functions and mechanisms of nutrient actions to the benefits and hazards of chemical agents, cultural and socio-economic determinants of human diets, and development of programs and policies to address human and environmental health and safety.
Overview of Specialization
The Physiology and Metabolism specialization provides a strong foundation in the biological and chemical sciences. The advanced course work focuses on the biochemistry and physiology of nutrients, phytochemicals, and diet-borne toxicants. The Physiology and Metabolism specialization addresses the following topics: nutrient absorption, distribution, and metabolism; functions of nutrients in human health and disease; cellular and molecular regulatory mechanisms by which humans respond to changes in diet; dietary patterns related to health and disease; conceptual and technical processes of nutrition research.
Admission to the Major
IMPORTANT: As of Summer 2024, the Nutritional Sciences & Toxicology department has undergone curriculum and structural changes for the previous NST majors (Physiology & Metabolism, Toxicology, and Dietetics) that has led to the development of our new and consolidated major — Nutrition & Metabolic Biology (NMB)! All students applying for the Fall 2025 cohort and beyond will only be able to apply for the NMB major. Advice on admission for freshmen and transfer students can be found on the Rausser College of Natural Resources Prospective Student website. First Year Admits/Freshmen applying to Rausser College may also select the Rausser College undeclared option and declare the major by the end of their fourth semester. Transfer students may apply directly to the major and indicate their intended specialization through the UC application and must meet the the minimum requirements outlined in the Transfer Admission Guidelines.
Information for current Berkeley students who would like to declare the major after admission, including information on a change of major or change of college, please see Rausser College's Change of College page.
Rausser College Honors Program
The honors program is individual research, NUSCTX H196, for two semesters under the supervision of a faculty member. The supervised independent honors research is specific to aspects of the Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology major, followed by an oral presentation, and written thesis report. Acceptance in the Rausser College Honors Program is required through an application process. Students who are interested in the Honors program should apply during their junior or senior year. Students must have a 3.6 grade-point average (GPA) in order to be eligible for the honors program. Please visit Rausser College's Honors webpage to learn more.
Minor Program
The department offers a minor program in Nutritional Sciences. The course work for the minor addresses topics in Human Nutrition and Nutrient Function. Elective options range from Nutrition in the Community to Metabolic Regulation to Medical Nutrition Therapy. The minor is best suited for students already pursuing a bioscience degree: a background in chemistry, organic chemistry, biology, and biochemistry is necessary to be prepared to do upper division work in this field. Visit the Nutritional Sciences minor page for information regarding how to declare the minor.
Major Requirements
In addition to the University, campus, and college requirements, listed on the College Requirements tab, students must fulfill the below requirements specific to their major program.
All students must complete R1A & R1B (or equivalent Reading and Comprehension course) before the end of their Sophomore year.
The Department of Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology offers two undergraduate major program specializations: Physiology and Metabolism and Toxicology leading to a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree. As of Summer 2024, The Nutritional Sciences & Toxicology department has undergone curriculum and structural changes for the previous NST majors (Physiology & Metabolism, Toxicology, and Dietetics) that has led to the development of our new and consolidated major — Nutrition & Metabolic Biology (NMB)! The goals and learning outcomes of the major are the same as the Nutritional Science - Physiology & Metabolism major. There are slight changes in the major curriculum and requirements that can be found here and on the NMB major snapshot. This is an excellent major for those interested in studying nutrition as it relates to human biology and chemistry.
The Rausser College of Natural Resources (RCNR) Undergraduate Handbook serves as a guide to the academic policies and information that students need in order to be successful while completing their coursework at Berkeley:
Physiology and Metabolism Specialization
For Breadth, you are required to take 14 additional units of coursework in American Cultures, Foreign Language departments, or any of these Breadth Categories: Arts & Literature, Historical Studies, International Studies, Philosophy & Values, or Social & Behavioral Sciences. Please refer to the L&S seven course breadth categories here. Additional details about major requirements can be found on the live NS-PM Major Snapshot here.
Lower Division Requirements
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Select one sequence from the following: | ||
| MATH 16A & MATH 16B & STAT 2 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus and Analytic Geometry and Calculus and Introduction to Statistics | 10 |
| MATH 1A & MATH 1B & STAT 2 | Course Not Available and Course Not Available and Introduction to Statistics | 4 |
| MATH 10A & MATH 10B | Methods of Mathematics: Calculus, Statistics, and Combinatorics and Methods of Mathematics: Calculus, Statistics, and Combinatorics | 8 |
| Complete all of the following: | ||
| CHEM 1A & 1AL | General Chemistry and General Chemistry Laboratory | 5 |
| CHEM 3A & 3AL | Chemical Structure and Reactivity and Organic Chemistry Laboratory | 5 |
| CHEM 3B & 3BL | Chemical Structure and Reactivity and Organic Chemistry Laboratory | 5 |
| PHYSICS 8A | Introductory Physics | 4 |
| NUSCTX 10 | Introduction to Human Nutrition | 3 |
| or NUSCTX 10S | Introduction to Human Nutrition: Managing Life | |
| MCELLBI 32 & 32L | Introduction to Human Physiology and Introduction to Human Physiology Laboratory | 5 |
| BIOLOGY 1A & 1AL | General Biology Lecture and General Biology Laboratory | 5 |
Upper Division Requirements1
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| MCELLBI 102 | Survey of the Principles of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | 4 |
| NUSCTX 103 | Nutrient Function and Metabolism | 4 |
| NUSCTX 160 | Metabolic Bases of Human Health and Diseases | 4 |
| NUSCTX 170 | Experimental Nutrition Laboratory 1 | 4 |
| NUSCTX 190 | Introduction to Research in Nutritional Sciences | 1 |
| Electives: Select 14 units from the Approved Electives List: | ||
| NUSCTX 104 | Food, Culture, and the Environment | 2 |
| NUSCTX W104 | Food, Culture, and the Environment AC | 3 |
| NUSCTX 108A | Introduction and Application of Food Science | 3 |
| NUSCTX 120 | Eating Behavior and Disordered Eating | 2 |
| NUSCTX C130 | Cell Biology: from Discovery to Disease | 4 |
| NUSCTX 166 | Nutrition in the Community | 3 |
| NUSCTX H196 | Honors Research | 4 |
| NUSCTX 199 | Supervised Independent Study and Research | 1-4 |
| PLANTBI C103 | Bacterial Pathogenesis | 3 |
| PLANTBI C112 | General Microbiology | 4 |
| or PB HLTH 162A | Public Health Microbiology | |
| PB HLTH 168 | Public Health Microbiology Laboratory | 2 |
| PLANTBI C114 | Introduction to Comparative Virology | 4 |
| INTEGBI 117 | Medical Ethnobotany | 2 |
| INTEGBI 123AL | Exercise and Environmental Physiology with Laboratory | 5 |
| INTEGBI 128 | Sports Medicine | 3 |
| INTEGBI 131 | General Human Anatomy | 3 |
| INTEGBI 131L | General Human Anatomy Laboratory | 3 |
| INTEGBI 140 | Biology of Human Reproduction | 4 |
| MCELLBI 104 | Genetics, Genomics, and Cell Biology | 4 |
| MCELLBI 132 | Biology of Human Cancer | 4 |
| MCELLBI 135A | Topics in Cell and Developmental Biology: Molecular Endocrinology | 3 |
| MCELLBI 140 | General Genetics | 4 |
| UGIS 192C | Supervised Research: Biological Sciences | 1-4 |
| ESPM 132 | Spider Biology | 4 |
| ESPM 144 | Insect Physiology | 3 |
| PSYCH C113 | Biological Clocks: Physiology and Behavior | 3 |
| PSYCH C115C | Neuroethology: Complex Animal Behaviors and Brains | 4 |
| PSYCH C116 | Hormones and Behavior | 3 |
| PSYCH 137 | Mind-Body and Health | 3 |
| All upper division INTEGBI, MCELLBI, PLANTBI, and CHEM lecture or lab courses also accepted | ||
- 1
*Can be waived with 4 units of biology-based research and a research paper (read more here).
Enrollment permission prioritized for NST students graduating the semester they enroll in the course.
Minor Requirements
Students who wish to can complete a minor in Nutritional Sciences.
General Guidelines
- All courses taken to fulfill the minor requirements below must be taken for graded credit.
- A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 is required for courses used to fulfill the minor requirements.
- No more than one course may be used to simultaneously fulfill requirements for a student's major and minor programs.
- There are three required courses.
- There is a minimum of two upper division NUSCTX electives totaling at least 5 units between the two electives. If two upper division electives are selected that do not total at least 5 units, a third elective will also need to be completed.
No substitutions to the courses listed below will be permitted.
Note: The lower division prerequisites listed below, with the exception of NUSCTX 10 or 10S (CHEM 1A, CHEM 3A, CHEM 3B, and BIOLOGY 1A) are not formal requirements of the minor, but instead serve as recommended preparation for the required upper division minor coursework. These CHEM and BIOLOGY courses are not tracked formally through the minor completion process, but are strongly recommended for success in required courses like NUSCTX 103 and NUSCTX 160, and electives like NUSCTX 110. You can find all NUSCTX course prerequisites on the Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology courses page in this Berkeley Academic Guide.
Lower Division Prerequisites
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 1A | General Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 3A | Chemical Structure and Reactivity | 3 |
| CHEM 3B | Chemical Structure and Reactivity | 3 |
| BIOLOGY 1A | General Biology Lecture | 3 |
Minor Requirements
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| NUSCTX 10 | Introduction to Human Nutrition | 3 |
| or NUSCTX 10S | Introduction to Human Nutrition: Managing Life | |
| NUSCTX 103 | Nutrient Function and Metabolism | 4 |
| NUSCTX 160 | Metabolic Bases of Human Health and Diseases | 4 |
| Select two or more of the following, for at least 5 units of electives: | ||
| NUSCTX 104 | Food, Culture, and the Environment | 2 |
| or NUSCTX W104 | Food, Culture, and the Environment AC | |
| NUSCTX 108A | Introduction and Application of Food Science | 3 |
| NUSCTX 120 | Eating Behavior and Disordered Eating | 2 |
| NUSCTX C130 | Cell Biology: from Discovery to Disease | 4 |
| NUSCTX 166 | Nutrition in the Community | 3 |
| NUSCTX 190 | Introduction to Research in Nutritional Sciences | 1 |
| NUSCTX H196 | Honors Research | 4 |
| NUSCTX 199 | Supervised Independent Study and Research | 1-4 |
College Requirements
General Guidelines
- All courses taken to fulfill the major requirements below must be taken for graded credit, other than courses listed which are offered on a Pass/No Pass basis only. Other exceptions to this requirement are noted as applicable.
- A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 is required.
- A minimum GPA of 2.0 in upper division major requirements is required.
- At least 15 of the 30 required upper division units must be taken in a Rausser College of Natural Resources department (except for students majoring in Environmental Economics and Policy; please see the EEP major advisor for further information) (NST-Dietetics has 44 total upper division units required).
- A maximum of 16 units of independent study (courses numbered 97, 98, 99, 197, 198, and 199) may count toward graduation, with a maximum of 4 units of independent study per semester.
- No more than 1/3 of the total units attempted at UC Berkeley may be taken Pass/No Pass. This includes units in the Education Abroad Program and UC Intercampus Visitor or Exchange Programs.
- A maximum of 4 units of physical education courses will count toward the 120 units required for graduation.
For full details around all requirements, please see our Student Handbook:
In order to provide a solid foundation in reading, writing and critical thinking all majors in the College require two semesters of lower division work in composition. Students must complete a first-level reading and composition course by the end of their second semester and a second-level course by the end of their fourth semester.
Foreign Language: EEP Majors only
The Foreign Language requirement is only required by Environmental Economics and Policy (EEP) majors. It may be satisfied by demonstrating proficiency in reading comprehension, writing, and conversation in a foreign language equivalent to the second semester college level, either by passing an exam or by completing approved course work.
Quantitative Reasoning: EEP Majors only
The Quantitative Reasoning requirement is only required by Environmental Economics and Policy (EEP) majors. The requirement may be satisfied by exam or by taking an approved course.
Undergraduate Breadth
Undergraduate breadth units provide Berkeley students with a rich and varied educational experience outside of their major program. Breadth courses are built into RCNR major requirements and each major requires a different number of breadth courses and categories. The EEP major is the only RCNR major that requires the entire 7 course breadth as outlined by Letters & Science. Refer to the major snapshots on each RCNR major page for for additional information.
High School Exam Credit
The Physiology and Metabolism and Toxicology specializations both have a 14 unit breadth requirement for the major. Breadth courses must be taken for a letter grade. These units do not need to fall under specific breadth areas like in Letters & Science, but instead students can use as many units as they would like from any of the following areas:
-
Arts & Literature
-
Historical Studies
-
International Studies
-
Philosophy & Values
-
Social & Behavioral Sciences
-
Foreign Language coursework
-
American Cultures
-
AP/IB/A-Level exam credit in subject areas which exclude calculus/statistics, English, and any biological or physical science subjects
Undergraduate breadth units provide Berkeley students with a rich and varied educational experience outside of their major program. Breadth courses are built into RCNR major requirements and each major requires a different number of breadth courses and categories. The EEP major is the only RCNR major that requires the entire 7 course breadth as outlined by Letters & Science. Refer to the major snapshots on each RCNR major page for for additional information.
Units Requirements
Students must complete at least 120 semester units of courses subject to certain guidelines:
- At least 36 units must be upper division courses, including a minimum of 15 units of upper division courses from a Rausser College of Natural Resources department (NUSCTX, ESPM, PLANTBI, ENVECON).
- A maximum of 16 units of Special Studies coursework (courses numbered 97, 98, 99, 197, or 199) is allowed towards the 120 units; a maximum of four units is allowed in a given semester.
- A maximum of 4 units of Physical Education from any school attended will count towards the 120 units.
- Students may receive unit credit for courses graded P (including P/NP units taken through EAP) up to a limit of one-third of the total units taken and passed on the Berkeley campus at the time of graduation.
Semester Unit Minimum
All RCNR students must enroll in at least 12 units each fall and spring semester.
Semester Unit Maximum
To request permission to take more than 20.5 units in a semester, please see the major advisor.
Semester Limit
Students admitted as freshmen must graduate within 8 fall/spring semesters at UC Berkeley. Students admitted as transfer students must graduate within 4 fall/spring semesters at UC Berkeley. Students who go on EAP and UCDC can petition for additional semesters. Summer session, UC Extension and non-UC study abroad programs do not count towards this semester limit. Students approved for double majors or simultaneous degrees in two colleges may be granted an additional semester. RCNR does not limit the number of total units a student can accrue (no unit cap).
Senior Residence Requirement
After the term in which you achieve and exceed 90 units (senior status), you must complete at least 24 of the remaining 30 units in residence at the Rausser College of Natural Resources over at least 2 semesters. To count as residence, a semester must consist of at least 6 passed units taken while the student is a member of RCNR. At least one of the two terms must be a fall or spring semester. Senior residence terms do not need to be completed consecutively. All courses offered on campus for the fall, spring, and summer terms by Berkeley departments and programs and all Berkeley online ('W') courses count. Inter-campus Visitor, Education Abroad Program, UC Berkeley Washington Program, and UC Berkeley Extension units do not count toward this requirement.
Students may use Summer Session to satisfy one semester of the Senior Residence Requirement, provided that six units of coursework are completed.
Modified Senior Residence Requirement
Participants in a fall, spring or summer UC Education Abroad Program (UCEAP), Berkeley Summer Abroad, or the UC Berkeley Washington Program may meet a modified Senior Residence Requirement by completing 24 of their final 60 semester units in residence (excluding UCEAP). At least 12 of these 24 units must be completed after senior status is reached. International travel study programs sponsored by Summer Sessions and education abroad programs offered outside of the UC system do not qualify for modified senior residence.
Most students automatically satisfy the residence requirement by attending classes here for four years. In general, there is no need to be concerned about this requirement, unless students go abroad for a semester or year or want to take courses at another institution or through University Extension during their senior year. In these cases, students should make an appointment to see an advisor to determine how they can meet the Senior Residence Requirement.
Grade Requirements
- A 2.0 UC GPA is required for graduation
- A 2.0 average in all upper division courses required of the major program is required for graduation
- A grade of at least C- is required in all courses for the major
Student Learning Goals
Nutritional Science and Toxicology Learning Goals
- To provide preparation in critical thinking, problem solving, and analytical skills.
- To provide insight and in-depth information on the interaction of natural and man-made toxicants with people and their impact on human health and disease (depth).
- To provide strong academic preparation for successful contributions to research, education, industry and government, and/or participation in advanced studies in health and biosciences (breadth).
- To inspire students to advance the health and well-being of citizens (value).
Major Map
Major maps are experience maps that help undergraduates plan their Berkeley journey based on intended major or field of interest. Featuring student opportunities and resources from your college and department as well as across campus, each map includes curated suggestions for planning your studies, engaging outside the classroom, and pursuing your career goals in a timeline format.
Use the major map below to explore potential paths and design your own unique undergraduate experience:
Advising
In the Rausser College of Natural Resources, we provide holistic, individual advising services to prospective and current students who are pursuing major and minors in our college. We assist with a range of topics including course selection, academic decision-making, achieving personal and academic goals, and maximizing the Berkeley experience.
If you are looking to explore your options, or you are ready to declare a major, double major, or minor, contact the undergraduate advisor for your intended major. Visit our website to explore all of our advising services.
Undergraduate Advisor, Nutritional Science & Toxicology
Jay Sevilla
nst.ugrad@berkeley.edu
260 Mulford Hall
(510) 642-6730
Contact Information
Department of Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology
119 Morgan Hall
Phone: 510-642-6490
Fax: 510-642-0535