Resources for Human Nutrition Majors at UIUC

As a human nutrition major, you have many options post graduation!  The curriculum at UIUC offers a lot of flexibility for students to choose courses to supplement the required curriculum. To learn more about the major, visit: https://fshn.illinois.edu/undergraduate/human-nutrition 

Are you interested in declaring Human Nutrition as your major at UIUC?  Sign up for a meeting with Toni Gist, then fill out the Collage and Department forms for approval:

  1. Sign up for a meeting with Toni
  2. Departmental form
  3. College of ACES form

Required curriculum plans for human nutrition majors can be found at: 

Would you like to declare Human Nutrition as your minor?  

Six things to keep in mind as you prepare for Spring 2022:

  1. You will need to complete all coursework outlined in the basic required curriculum link above to graduate with a degree in Human Nutrition from UIUC
  2. Upper level science classes often have pre-requisites.  It is important to look those up using Course Explorer and note prerequisites in your 4 year plan.
  3. Certain classes are only offered one semester per year (spring or fall).  Check out the Spring 2022 Course Explorer to confirm conclusively when your desired classes are offered.  However, past semesters provide trends of when classes are offered.
  4. Some classes fill quickly!  If you are need of an MCB course that is full, see below on this page for waitlist details.
  5. Be sure to include classes for your pre-health curriculum or other professional graduate programs prerequisites in your plan.  
    1. Preparing for medical school
    2. Preparing for dental school
    3. Preparing for PA school
    4. Preparing for an MS in nursing
    5. Preparing for graduate school at UIUC (information about programs)
  6. Consider classes that would diversify your resume:
    1. FSHN 398: Lifelong Nutrition for Sport and Physical Activity: weekly modules partnered with an NCAA nutrition internship working with the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics and Illini Fuel
    2. FSHN 398: Undergraduate Mentors: become a part of the largest FSHN teaching team on campus and earn upper level course credit.  You must sign up with Toni for an interview for consideration. 
    3. Undergraduate research with a professor in our department earning FSHN course credit and research experience 

As you work through the above six steps with success, it is important to know what resources are available.  Below is a list of resources that will help you as you work with your advisor to plan your academic journey.  

DARS REPORT: https://registrar.illinois.edu/academic-records/dars-audit/

DARS will generate an audit allowing you to determine what classes you can take in order to graduate on time.  

COURSE EXPLORER: https://courses.illinois.edu/

  • Do you need/want to take a 2nd 8-week class to keep you on track?
  • Are you wanting to plan out your fall schedule using the timetable?
  • If you have a general education course you want to take, see what general education class will meet which requirements.
  • With general education classes, you would like to choose courses that “double dip”.  For example, they cover a Western Cultures as well as a Humanities requirement.  

When you are solidifying your classes for next semester…ask yourself these questions:

  • Is there a required class that I need that is only offered in the coming semester — if so, consider taking it!
  • Is there a class that is a pre-requisite for others — if you are ready for it, take it!
  • Are there courses that are required — focus on required courses prior to squeezing in electives or language classes
  • Are there classes that count towards two electives that you need to fill, consider taking that class as you can “double dip” by using the search engine at https://courses.illinois.edu/search/form

BANNER TO REGISTER FOR COURSES: https://apps.uillinois.edu/selfservice 

  • Use the Enhanced Registration 
  • “Prepare for Registration“
  • Select the year/semester…note the following:
    • any academic holds
    • time ticket (put this on your calendar with a reminder)
    • earned hours
    • and more!
  • Click on “Plan Ahead” and create your schedule ahead of time
  • Once your time ticket is open and available, submit your courses!  
    • It is important to note that, depending on your time ticket, select classes may already be full.  Prepare to shift courses around if need be!  
      • Have backup courses in your back pocket!  

NEED A PRE-HEALTH COURSE, BUT IT STATES THERE AREN’T ANY SEATS?

MCB 101: The MCB 101 labs tend to fill quickly.  If you need an MCB 101 lab, and the times that work for your schedule are full, you can submit a priority list request at https://go.illinois.edu/mcb101_SP22_HN

FSHN 420, MCB 450, MCB 245, etc: Many other courses may be of interest to you or required for graduation. There are select UIUC courses that do not allow open enrollment.  It is important to note that within Course Explorer, information is provided outlining course restrictions and/or how to get on their waitlist for consideration.

To streamline enrollment in your pre-health courses, visit the pre-health advising at UIUC and declare that you are pre-health with one of their academic advisors.  They can ensure you are set up for success with respect to priority course enrollment.  

GPA’S FOR COURSES AT UIUC: http://waf.cs.illinois.edu/discovery/gpa_of_every_course_at_illinois/

If you are deciding between two classes, you may want to use the above link to review how successful past students were and/or challenging the class may be for future students.

TRANSFEROLOGY: https://www.transferology.com/index.htm

  • If you are thinking about taking summer courses at another institution, it is your responsibility to ensure that they would transfer.
  • You can use Transferology to help you determine if the course you want to take will transfer well 

COLLEGE OF ACES PETITIONS: https://academics.aces.illinois.edu/student-resources/forms 

If you need to petition for a course to be considered as a viable substitution or a study abroad course to count towards graduation, you (and others) will be interested in checking out the College of ACES Petition site at

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM JOB?   As you plan for a timely graduation, you want to decide what your end goal is and work BACKWARDS.

  • Medical school — it is best for you to look up your dream schools and ensure you have all pre-requisites. Pre-health advising at UIUC can also help!
  • Pre-health professions programs that are not medical school. Please, look up their application pre-requisites and work backwards.
  • Nutrition lab work
    • BS+1yr = 5-year Human Nutrition Graduate School program
    • BS + an MS with a thesis
    • BS + a PhD
  • Research and development of innovative food or beverage products
    • Major in Human Nutrition and minor in Food Science 
  • Do you love your current major and want to also major in Human Nutrition?  You can earn a dual major! See below for the steps/information
    • Complete all required major courses and upper level Human Nutrition courses:
      • FSHN 101, FSHN 120, or FSHN 465
      • FSHN 220: Principles of Nutrition
      • FSHN 426: Biochemical Nutrition I
      • FSHN 427: Biochemical Nutrition II
      • FSHN 420: Nutritional Aspects of Disease
      • Three additional upper level FSHN/Nutrition electives
    • Check the DARS report for your original major
    • Check the DARS report for Human Nutrition as a major 

HANDSHAKE: https://handshake.illinois.edu/ 

The Handshake link above will help guide you to potential employers and internships.  Additionally, you will have resources to help you along your path!  

ACES CAREER SERVICES: https://academics.aces.illinois.edu/career-services

READ YOUR WEEKLY E-MAILS FROM ACES CAREER SERVICES AND CHECK THEIR WEBSITE — they have amazing opportunities they highlight.  

  • Are you considering a future job but are unsure about it?  Are you thinking about a major change?  Stop in as they do career counseling for free!    
  • They can review your resume
  • They can provide feedback on a cover letter
  • They are there for you as you prepare for your future job!  

REGISTERED STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS NEEDED TO GROW YOUR RESUME: https://union.illinois.edu/get-involved/office-of-registered-organizations

  • You will want to join at least one professionally based RSO to grow your resume
  • Human Nutrition Ambassadors is a fabulous club to consider!  

ARE YOU PRE-HEALTH?  WE HAVE PRE-HEALTH SPECIFIC ADVISING AT UIUC https://www.careercenter.illinois.edu/instructable/pre-health-illinois

  • Sign up for the weekly newsletter keeping you on track
  • Register for the Compass2g (currently switching to Canvas) pre-health resource site
  • They can provide resources, guidance and direction if you know what path you would like to follow (ex: pre-dentistry)

ARE YOU ABOUT TO GRADUATE?  Be sure to declare it using the following helpful website: https://academics.aces.illinois.edu/student-resources/graduation-requirements

If you would like to meet with Toni Gist, the current Human Nutrition Academic Advisor, schedule a meeting using https://tonigist.youcanbook.me/ and come with the following in hand:

We can then help you as quickly as possible!  Best to you on your academic journey…we are here for you.