Nutrition and dietetics, the science that studies the effect of food on human health, is a very important field that trains professionals to protect and improve people's health. It has developed rapidly in the last 30 years in particular, and today almost every healthcare institution has this department.
What Is Nutrition and Dietetics?
Nutrition and dietetics is a field of science that studies the effect of food on human health. It is also concerned with how we should eat our food. It is very important for protecting and improving health.
This field has a major role in efforts to address obesity, which has become a shared concern all over the world today.
What Is the Purpose of the Nutrition and Dietetics Department?
The main aim of the department is to minimise the negative effects of food on human health. Its other goals are as follows:
- To train experts in food technology and organic production
- To raise public awareness of obesity, which has been increasing in recent years
- To carry out joint projects that support organic and agricultural production
Which Exams Do You Need to Take to Enter the Nutrition and Dietetics Department?
To enter the Nutrition and Dietetics department in Turkey, you take Turkey's national university entrance exams:
- Basic Proficiency Test (TYT)
- Field Proficiency Test (AYT)
What Is the Score Type for the Nutrition and Dietetics Department?
You can enter this department with the quantitative (science and maths) score type.
How Many Years Is the Course?
The course lasts 4 years.
What Jobs Can You Do When You Graduate?
Graduates of this department earn the title of dietitian. If you complete a master's degree in the relevant department after your bachelor's, you earn the title of specialist dietitian, and with a doctorate on top of that, the title of doctor dietitian.
When you graduate from this department, you can:
- Measure a person's health parameters and prepare personalised eating plans.
- Follow up clients' nutrition and health status with weekly and monthly check-ins.
- Provide education on how people should eat in line with their health conditions, working with their doctors.
- Study health problems related to nutrition.
- Prepare reports on how foods should be cooked and eaten.
- Work in pharmaceutical companies on the development of medicines and food supplements.
- Work in catering companies and prepare monthly menus.
- Continue as an academic and teach.
In short, when you graduate from this department you can work in many areas related to nutrition and food.
What Are the Courses in the Nutrition and Dietetics Department?
First year: the emphasis is on basic chemistry, basic physiology and basic anatomy courses.
Second year: the emphasis is on organic chemistry, medical biology, genetics and food chemistry courses.
Third year: the emphasis is on community nutrition, maternal and child nutrition and medical nutrition for patients.
Fourth year: the emphasis is on nutrition problems in the community, nutrition in childhood diseases and field internships.
The courses you will take in the nutrition and dietetics department are as follows:
- Basic Chemistry
- Food Chemistry
- Basic Anatomy
- Principles of Nutrition
- Organic Chemistry
- Anatomy
- Nutrition Problems in the Community
- Community Health and Nutrition
- Food Technology
- Medical Nutrition in Diseases
- Basic Physiology
- Business Management
- Biostatistics
- Nutrition in Childhood Diseases
- Food Control
- Medical Biology and Genetics
- Food Analysis
- Maternal and Child Nutrition
- Nutrition in the Community
- Mass Catering Systems
What Are the Job Opportunities?
Job opportunities for graduates include:
- Hospitals
- Hotels
- Health centres
- Factories
- Educational institutions
- R&D companies
- Food production centres
- Outpatient clinics
- Sports clubs
What Are the Advantages of the Department?
The advantages of the nutrition and dietetics department are as follows:
- You become an expert in healthy eating.
- You can work independently.
- There are opportunities to work in the public sector.
- You can open a private practice.
- The field of employment is quite wide.
What Are the Challenges of the Department?
The challenges of the nutrition and dietetics department are as follows:
- You need to keep following the science and read articles continuously.
- A good level of English is needed.
- You need to be friendly, patient and understanding.
- Because it is a field that deals one-to-one with people, a good grasp of psychology is needed.
Book an appointment for a personalised nutrition plan
The information in this article is general; what you need depends on your age, health and goals. Message us and we will build the plan that suits you together.
This content is for information only. For a personalised nutrition programme, please consult a dietitian.
