Admission Requirement and programme information – Human Nutrition And Dietetics Department

Admission Requirements and Programme information:

UTME: To be admitted into HUMAN NUTRITION AND DIETETICS DEPARTMENT, a student must possess five credits in SSCE/WASSC/GCE “O” Level at not more than two sittings in relevant subjects, which will include Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Biology and English Language. The candidate must have a pass in JAMB and post UTME test that meets the Departmental cut off mark as determined by the University.

DIRECT ENTRY: Candidates for Direct Entry admission shall possess at least an upper credit in ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Human Nutrition or any related course and a combination of O level results as stipulated by the Department. Candidate with SRN and SRM are also eligible for admission.

ACADEMIC PROGRAMME/ BRIEF:

         a. Programme Title: B.Sc Human Nutrition and Dietetics

         b.   Philosophy of Human Nutrition and Dietetics Programme

Nutrition as a science deals with food the organism requires, how he acquires, utilizes them and disposes of the waste products.  Dietetics on the other hand, deals with utilization of food in health and disease.  The programme seeks to graduate students who can apply knowledge gained in the physical, social, biological sciences, arts and agriculture, human nutrition and dietetics to ensure food security for individuals of all physiological, psychological, economic and pathological states to the benefit of all Nigerians.  Such students should also be capable of being self-employed/employers of labour.

The programme seeks to achieve these through training students to:

i.  Understand the relationship between agriculture, food, nutrition and health;

ii.  Understand the concept of food security and how to achieve this with foods available within and outside their localities;

iii.  Dietary planning for different socio-economic, cultural, pathological, physiological and psychological states;

iv.  Understand the functions of nutrients, their interactions, and effects of inadequate and excessive intakes.

v.   It is projected that the second phase of the college building will soon be executed.  This will enable the Department to have space for other anticipated laboratories such as the animal and human metabolic unit.

vi.  The Department is anticipated to be more involved in collaborative and linkage activities between the University, International organizations and the surrounding communities.

vii. The Departmental dietetic clinic is expected to take – off in order to meet the health/nutritional challenges of the populace.

Human Nutrition and Dietetics is a 4-year degree programme with the first year devoted to basic studies and Introductory Nutrition and Dietetics. The second year is divided between the basic courses and courses in Nutrition and Dietetics in line with NUC guidelines. The third and fourth years are devoted to studies in Human Nutrition and Dietetics.  Those wishing to specialize as Dietitians do a further one-year Hospital Internship in a Hospital approved by the Dietitians Association of Nigeria and Nigerian Dietetic Association.  Programme for internship is as approved by the Nigerian Dietetic Association.  Students also undertake study visits to hospitals, clinics and hotels, during school year.  Credits assigned to the Lecture, Tutorial and Practical (LTP).

PROSPECTS AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES

A Nutritionist/Dietitians has career opportunities in the following areas:

 i.   Experimental Nutritionist -conducts research related to nutrient intake,
requirements and metabolism of man.

 ii.  Nutrition/Dietetic Educator -employed to teach in Medical Schools, Secondary/Teacher Training Colleges, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education. Also employed in mass media organizations

 iii.  Nutritionist in relevant government ministries (e.g. Agriculture, Health,
Local Governments, State & National )

  iv. Nutritionist/Dietitians working with international agencies such as FAO, WHO,
UNICEF, UNHCR other refugee organizations). And other international policy making bodies.

   v.  Industry – working in the food, beverage and drug industries, and
participating in product development and formulation.

   vi.  Clinical Nutritionist/Dietician -employed in the hospital to supervise nutritional care of patients and consult in out-patient clinics.

  vii.  Experimental/Research Nutritionist may find employment in Research Institutes, Agricultural Stations and Medical Research for the purpose of evaluating nutritional quality of newly developed species of plants and animals for acceptability and toxicity as well as in recipe standardization and food testing.

 viii.  Nutritionist/Dietitians in sports council and Nutrition rehabilitation centres, old peoples’ Homes etc

  ix.   College, Commercial Industrial and School Lunch Food Service Managers.

  x.     Community and public Health Nutritionist as a member of the Health team in assessing nutrition needs of individuals and groups in communities.

 xi.    Consultant Nutritionist/Dietitian in private practice.