Dietetics
Parul ThapaSenior Executive Content
Dietetics is a field of science that is concerned with diet and its effects on an individual’s health. The people who are experts in this course are called Dietitians and play a very important role in the Health Management sector. An academic course in dietetics prepares students to use advanced knowledge about food and nutrition to help prevent as well as treat diseases and maintain human health.
While looking for a career in dietetics, students often confuse the term with nutrition. However, dietetics and nutrition are similar but two different professions. Dietetics focuses on food management through the proper plan, monitoring and supervision of a patient’s diet. On the other hand, nutrition is related to the overall promotion of health by advising people on health and food choices.
There are diverse career opportunities available for candidates possessing a degree or diploma in dietetics. The opportunities in the Dietitian profession are available in both public and private sectors at places such as hospitals, community health centres, nursing homes, NGOs, health clubs, fitness centres, sports centres, hotels, pharmaceutical firms, and so on.
- Dietetics Highlights
- All About Dietetics
- 2.1 Why Study Dietetics?
- 2.2 Who Should Study Dietetics?
- Dietetics Entrance Exam 2023
- Dietetics Eligibility Criteria
- Dietetics Syllabus
- 5.1 Dietetics UG Syllabus
- 5.2 Dietetics PG Syllabus
- Top Colleges for Dietetics
- 6.1 Top Government Colleges for Dietetics
- 6.2 Top Private Colleges for Dietetics
- 6.3 Top Colleges for Dietetics Colleges by Location
- Career Scope in Dietetics
- 7.1 Core Industries in Dietetics
- 7.2 Career in Dietetics
- 7.3 Top Recruiters in Dietetics
- Dietetics FAQs
Dietetics Highlights
Candidates can look at some of the key points of the Dietetics course in the table below.
Particulars | Details |
---|---|
Course Level | UG, PG, Diploma & Certificate |
Course Duration | 2-3 years |
Course Fee | INR 25 K - INR 4 Lakh |
Entrance Exams Required | KCET, LPU NEST, MDUCEE |
Job Profiles | Clinical Dietician, Pediatric Dietician, Sports Dietician, Dietician in R&D Department, Teacher, Community Dietician, Consultant Dietician, etc. |
Top Recruiters | Nestle, Cadbury, Unilever, GSK, Eli Lilly, Novartis, etc. |
Average Annual Salary | INR 2,5 lakh - INR 4 lakh |
Latest Updates:
KCET registrations are ongoing till April 5, 2023; know how to apply
LPU NEST registrations are open till Mar 31, 2023; know how to apply
All About Dietetics
A Dietician course can be completed in a number of methods, the most frequent being a bachelor's degree. Yet, an increasing number of people are interested in earning a diploma, master's, or postgraduate diploma degree, with a small number of dedicated individuals also pursuing higher research. Nutritional sciences, food technology, metabolism, animal nutrition, and food science, to name a few, are now being studied at dietetics departments around the world.
Why Study Dietetics?
- Graduates will find employment in hospitals, clinical dietetics, food manufacturing enterprises, academic institutions, public health organisations, government agencies, wellness centres, and other settings.
- Dietetic jobs include a registered dietician, renal dietician, paediatric dietician, sports dietitian, clinical dietician, and others. Food product development scientists, nutritionists, food labelling specialists, public health nutritionists, nutrition educators, nutrition writers, and other nutrition careers are available.
Who Should Study Dietetics?
Those who wish to promote a balanced lifestyle and improve people's diets while boosting their immune systems, increasing their energy levels, and reducing the risk of contracting disease should pursue a career in nutrition.
Also Read:
Know about Dietetics & Nutrition
Dietetics & Nutrition Syllabus: Check Subject-wise Latest Syllabus
Dietetics & Nutrition career: Paths, Opportunities & Earnings
Top Medicine & Health Sciences Entrance Exams In India
Dietetics Entrance Exam 2023
In India, there are many colleges that provide undergraduate programmes in the fields of dietetics and nutrition. Depending on the college, a different admissions procedure may be required for enrolment in nutrition and dietetic courses. The eligibility requirements taken into consideration for admissions are shown below.
Entrance Exams | Exam Dates | Exam Details |
---|---|---|
MDUCEE | To be announced | The Maharshi Dayanand University Common Entrance Test is a state-level entrance exam for admission to several M.Sc and M. Pharma courses in Haryana's seven universities. |
KCET | May 20 - May 21, 2023 | KCET is governed by Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA). Engineering Technology, Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharma), Diploma in Pharmacy (DPharma), Agricultural (Farm Science), and Veterinary programs are among those that accept this exam. |
LPU NEST | April 5 - April 30, 2023 | There is a national entrance examination for scholarships and admissions at Lovely Professional University abbreviated as LPUNEST. Admission to more than 150 programs is conducted online every year. |
Dietetics Eligibility Criteria
Candidates can choose to pursue a dietetics course at the undergraduate, postgraduate or diploma level. Some higher education institutions also offer certificate dietetics courses to candidates. However, such courses are neither much detailed nor highly valuable.
Given below are the basic eligibility criteria for undergraduate and postgraduate dietetics courses:
UG courses: Candidates should complete Class 12 in the Science stream with at least 50 per cent aggregate.
PG courses: Candidates should complete graduation in the Science stream with at least 50 per cent aggregate.
It may be noted that the eligibility criteria mentioned above may vary depending on the college/ university to which a candidate is seeking admission.
There are various courses that candidates can choose to pursue at the undergraduate or postgraduate level. However, some of the popular dietetics courses include BSc in Dietetics & Nutrition, MSc in Dietetics & Nutrition and PG Diploma in Dietetics.
Also Read: Food & Nutrition colleges in India
Also Read:
Learn about Public Health & Management
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Dietetics Syllabus
The Dietetics syllabus and subjects are separated into two to three-year-long courses, divided into four to six semesters. The course curriculum delves into nutrition and diets for the human body. It introduces students to all aspects of the food industry, nutrition, and research; topics covered include Community Nutrition, Advanced Dietetics, Dietetics and Nutrition, Practical workshops, and more. Given below is an overview of subjects taught in BSc in Dietetics and MSc in Dietetics & Nutrition courses for the reference of candidates.
Dietetics UG Syllabus
BSc in Dietetics & Nutrition is a three-year duration course that includes various theory subjects along with some research projects and industrial training/ clinical internship of a few (usually two) months. Subjects that are usually taught in the course are:
BSc in Dietetics & Nutrition Course Curriculum |
|
---|---|
Applied Science |
Basics in Human Anatomy |
Family Meal Management |
|
Pathology |
Fundamentals of Foods & Nutrition |
Fundamentals of Biochemistry |
Physiology |
Nutritional Biochemistry |
Nutrition through Lifecycle |
Therapeutic Nutrition & Dietetics |
|
Problems in Human Nutrition |
Nutrition for Health, Fitness and Sports |
Community Nutrition |
Food Microbiology |
Institutional Food Administration |
Food Science |
Foods in Indian Tradition |
|
First Aid & Nursing |
Herbs and Home Remedies |
Maternal and Child Nutrition |
Nutrition Labeling |
Community Development Project |
Entrepreneurial Education & Journalism |
Diet and Nutrition Counseling |
Fermentation Technology Holistic Wellness and Life Skills |
Healthcare and Hospital management |
Social and preventive medicine |
Food Hygiene & Sanitation |
Human Development |
Dynamics of Extension Education |
Enzymes in Food processing |
Food Preservation and Bakery |
Food Handling & Packaging |
Fundamentals of Statistics |
Introduction to Information technology |
Health Communication |
Culinary Science |
Health Psychology |
Weight Management |
Dietetics PG Syllabus
MSc in Dietetics & Nutrition is a two-year duration course typically divided into four semesters. The course offers various theory subjects as well as practical knowledge in the form of seminars, research projects, dissertations, etc.
Subjects that are usually taught in the course are:
MSc in Dietetics & Nutrition Syllabus |
|
---|---|
Fundamentals of Food Science |
Nutritional Biochemistry |
Human Physiology |
Biochemical Techniques |
Statistical Methods for Biology |
Advanced Nutrition |
Community Nutrition |
Human Nutrition |
Diet Therapy |
Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods |
Food Preservation and Food Microbiology |
Food Analysis |
Life Cycle Nutrition |
Medical Nutrition and Management |
Food Safety and Food Service Management |
Sensory Evaluation and Culinary Science |
Clinical Nutrition |
Epidemiology & Changing Healthcare Sector |
Dietary Management |
Health Information Management & Decision Making |
Top Colleges for Dietetics
Dietetics subjects are designed to expose students to all aspects of dieting and nutrition. Students who complete the course can pursue further education to enter the field of research. The fees are changeable because numerous factors can influence this fee. Some of these factors include the location of the college, the faculty of the college, and more. Candidates can look at the top government and private colleges for Dietetics courses given in the tables below.
Top Government Colleges for Dietetics
The top popular government colleges for dietetics are given below.
Top Private Colleges for Dietetics
The top popular private colleges for dietetics are given below.
Top Colleges for Dietetics Colleges by Location
Candidates can view the top colleges for Dietetics location-wise.
Career Scope in Dietetics
With the increasing importance of maintaining a healthy and balanced diet, candidates possessing a degree or diploma in dietetics have bright career prospects. The professionals can be employed at places such as colleges, schools, research institutes, private and government hospitals, yoga centres, government health departments, health clubs, fitness centres, pharmaceutical firms, private clinics, food products manufacturing firms, and the list continues.
Core Industries in Dietetics
Dietetics jobs are available in both the public and private sectors. Dietetics scope for fresh grads exists in plenty. The course they study is diverse and adaptable, allowing them to master all of the necessary skills to work in the food and beverage business. They can work in many industries after completing their course; some of the popular industries are:
- Colleges & University
- Food Production Company
- Food and Diet Consultancies
- Medical Content Writing
- Pharmaceutical Company
Career in Dietetics
Some of the job profiles that candidates clearing a dietetics course can take up include -
Job Profiles | Job Description | Annual Average Salary (in INR) |
---|---|---|
Clinical Dietician | The basic job responsibility of a clinical dietician is to provide medical nutrition therapy to patients in healthcare settings. The dietician creates proper nutritional programmes based on the health needs of patients and counsels them on how to obtain a healthier lifestyle. | 2.5 lakh |
Pediatric Dieticians | A pediatric dietician works with children of all age groups, such as those suffering from diabetes or obesity and helps them incorporate a balanced and nutritious diet. A pediatric dietician also counsels children or their parents on adopting healthy eating habits. | 3 lakh |
Sports Dietician | A sports dietician works with different sports clubs and athletic teams. The dietician makes diet plans per the specific needs of sports personnel and helps them maintain their body weight and muscle while keeping their nutrition levels in check. The ultimate goal of a sports dietician is to maximise the performance of the sportspersons. | 4 lakh |
Dieticians in R&D Department | A dietician can also work in the field of research and development to ensure the quality and nutritional standards of food products. Such a dietician can work in laboratories after attaining a doctorate degree and study the effects of various diet forms on the body. | 3 lakh |
Teacher | Candidates interested in the field of academics can choose to become teachers at the school level or lecturers at the college level after attaining the required qualification. For instance, to become a school teacher candidates usually have to obtain a BEd degree and to become professors candidates need to take UGC NET. | 4 lakh |
Community Dietician | A community dietician typically works with large groups of people to educate them on food nutrition and adopting a healthy lifestyle. A community dietician usually works for fitness clubs and public health agencies. | 3 lakh |
Consultant Dietician | A consultant dietician usually works under a dietician and helps patients with food selection, menu planning, portion control, etc. | 3 lakh |
Management Dietician | A management dietician is responsible for performing business-related tasks such as hiring and training workers as well as developing budgets. A management dietician may also oversee kitchen staff and other dieticians. Such a dietician usually works at cafeterias, hospitals, and schools. | 3 lakh |
Top Recruiters in Dietetics
The top Recruiter in Nutrition and Dietetic branch is as follows.
-
Nestle
-
Cadbury
-
Unilever
-
GSK
-
Eli Lilly
-
Novartis
-
Food & Nutrition Board (FNB)
-
FNB, Ministry of Women and Child Development
Read More:
Dietetics & Nutrition colleges in Delhi/NCR
Everything you need to know about Food & Nutrition
Dietetics FAQs
Q: What qualifications do you need to be a dietician?
Q: What are some of the Job Profiles after doing a dietetics course?
Q: What is the difference between a nutritionist and a dietitian?
Q: What career options are available after completing the dietetics course?
Q. Is taking a nutrition course in college enough to work as a food inspector?
Q. How can I become a nutritionist or dietician?
Q. How do diploma programmes benefit dieticians?
Q. What subjects are covered in the diploma programmes in nutrition and dietetics?
Q. After completing this dietetics education, are there any employment opportunities?
Q. What is the dietetics programme?
Q. Is being a dietician a good profession?
Popular Dietetics Colleges in India
Popular Private Dietetics Colleges in India
Most Popular Courses
Popular Dietetics UG Courses
UG Courses
- B.Sc.
10 Colleges
- UG Diploma
4 Colleges
- B.A.
1 College
Popular Dietetics PG Courses
PG Courses
- M.Sc.
13 Colleges
- PG Diploma
11 Colleges
Popular Exams
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News & Updates
Student Forum
Answered 5 days ago
There are several government colleges in India offering B.Sc. in Nutrition and Dietetics. Some notable options include:
- Lady Irwin College, Delhi University - It offers a B.Sc. in Nutrition and Dietetics with excellent faculty and infrastructure.
- Bangalore University - The university offers a B.Sc. in
Answered 2 weeks ago
WGSHA offers the MSc course in Dietetics & Applied Nutrition which is a two-year programme, comprising of four semesters. The emphasis is on nutrition, dietetics, therapeutic nutrition, and research. This course equips students with hands-on training in hospitals while working alongside dietitians a
a
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Students who wish to apply for the B.Sc. Dietetics and Nutrition programme at NSHM Institute of Health Sciences in Kolkata must have completed their 10+2 (Higher Secondary) education in any stream from a recognised board. This is a 3-year programme that covers basic and advanced nutritional subjects
A
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a month ago
NSHM Institute of Health Sciences in Kolkata is also a good option for getting an M.Sc. Degree in Dietetics and Nutrition. Some of the program’s coursework areas include human nutrition, food Science and food safety, and they form the basis of dietetics. Having industry orientation in the training o
K
Contributor-Level 9
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Are there any government colleges that offer B.Sc Nutrition and Dietetics?