Human Health and Nutritional Sciences

The Human Health and Nutritional 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 Human Health and Nutritional 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.

Enrolling in the HHNS program at U of G has been a uniquely transformative experience, shaping my personal and academic development. From the moment I joined, I knew there was no other program that so effectively explored the world of nutrition in relation to biological health. Many unique courses emphasize hands-on learning, allowing me to apply what I’ve learned to real-world challenges. The program also went beyond clinical nutrition and highlighted important aspects such as food policy and regulatory affairs.

I chose the University of Guelph’s HHNS program due to the unique academic training it provides, alongside practical experiential learning opportunities. This degree program allowed me to go beyond clinical nutrition and explore nutrition in relation to biochemistry, public health, food product development, regulatory affairs, and much more. With diverse departmental research and industry-related projects, I gained a rich set of analytical, research, and professional skills that propelled my professional and academic careers.

Being in the HHNS program allowed me to gain relevant hands-on experience through many unique group projects. This program covered various topics in human health and nutritional science and provided me with relevant knowledge to apply to various careers. Being in a smaller program also allowed me to get to know other students and form a sense of community. It also allowed me to form relationships with professors. These relationships turned into many opportunities, such as completing upper-year research projects and finding a professor to work with for my master's degree.

What sets the HHNS curriculum apart is the wide range of topics it covers, as students have the opportunity to explore topics of their interest in-depth through the support of a faculty with a broad range of expertise in the field. Additionally, the program provides a variety of other opportunities for students to take part in, including the Student Association and fourth-year independent projects, both of which I benefitted from.

What sets the HHNS program apart is its multifaceted approach that extends beyond its core focus on physiology and the intricate relationship between nutrition and the human body. We were equipped with a robust comprehension of important aspects such as food policy, intricacies of the food industry, and the skills to utilize existing research to formulate functional food products compliant with Canadian food regulations. The program also provided invaluable insights in the realm of nutrition research.

The program's expansive scope has uniquely positioned me for diverse roles within the nutrition landscape, spanning industries, governmental sectors, and academia, affirming its exceptional value in shaping a versatile and impactful career trajectory.