Course Structure and Semester-wise Details
The Nutrition program at Iihmr University Jaipur is designed to provide a comprehensive education that combines foundational knowledge with specialized skills. The curriculum spans 8 semesters, each containing core subjects, departmental electives, science electives, and laboratory sessions.
| Semester | Course Code | Course Title | Credit Structure (L-T-P-C) | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NUTR101 | Introduction to Nutrition Science | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 1 | NUTR102 | Chemistry for Nutritionists | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 1 | NUTR103 | Human Anatomy and Physiology | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 1 | NUTR104 | Introduction to Biochemistry | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 1 | NUTR105 | Laboratory Skills in Nutrition | 0-0-3-2 | None |
| 2 | NUTR201 | Micronutrient Metabolism | 3-0-0-3 | NUTR104 |
| 2 | NUTR202 | Food Chemistry | 3-0-0-3 | NUTR102 |
| 2 | NUTR203 | Microbiology for Nutritionists | 3-0-0-3 | NUTR103 |
| 2 | NUTR204 | Nutritional Epidemiology | 3-0-0-3 | NUTR101 |
| 2 | NUTR205 | Food Analysis Techniques | 0-0-3-2 | NUTR102 |
| 3 | NUTR301 | Clinical Nutrition | 3-0-0-3 | NUTR201 |
| 3 | NUTR302 | Public Health Nutrition | 3-0-0-3 | NUTR204 |
| 3 | NUTR303 | Sports Nutrition | 3-0-0-3 | NUTR201 |
| 3 | NUTR304 | Nutritional Genomics | 3-0-0-3 | NUTR201 |
| 3 | NUTR305 | Community Nutrition | 3-0-0-3 | NUTR204 |
| 4 | NUTR401 | Food Safety and Quality Control | 3-0-0-3 | NUTR202 |
| 4 | NUTR402 | Maternal and Child Nutrition | 3-0-0-3 | NUTR201 |
| 4 | NUTR403 | Nutritional Psychology | 3-0-0-3 | NUTR204 |
| 4 | NUTR404 | Environmental Nutrition | 3-0-0-3 | NUTR202 |
| 4 | NUTR405 | Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals | 3-0-0-3 | NUTR202 |
| 5 | NUTR501 | Advanced Clinical Nutrition | 3-0-0-3 | NUTR301 |
| 5 | NUTR502 | Research Methodology in Nutrition | 3-0-0-3 | NUTR204 |
| 5 | NUTR503 | Capstone Project I | 0-0-6-3 | NUTR401 |
| 5 | NUTR504 | Mini Project I | 0-0-3-2 | NUTR301 |
| 6 | NUTR601 | Advanced Public Health Nutrition | 3-0-0-3 | NUTR302 |
| 6 | NUTR602 | Mini Project II | 0-0-3-2 | NUTR504 |
| 6 | NUTR603 | Capstone Project II | 0-0-6-3 | NUTR503 |
| 7 | NUTR701 | Internship | 0-0-12-6 | NUTR601 |
| 8 | NUTR801 | Final Thesis | 0-0-9-6 | NUTR701 |
Advanced Departmental Electives
Advanced departmental electives are designed to deepen students' understanding of specific areas within nutrition science. These courses offer specialized knowledge and skills that prepare students for advanced research or industry roles.
Clinical Nutrition
This course focuses on the application of nutritional principles in clinical settings. Students learn about therapeutic diets, enteral and parenteral nutrition, nutritional assessment techniques, and managing patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes, renal failure, and heart disease.
Public Health Nutrition
This course emphasizes population-level interventions and policy development. Students study nutrition programs at the community and national levels, evaluate public health initiatives, assess dietary patterns, and design strategies to address malnutrition and obesity.
Sports Nutrition
This specialization explores the relationship between diet and athletic performance. Students learn about energy metabolism, hydration strategies, supplementation, and recovery protocols.
Nutritional Genomics
This course delves into how genetic variations influence nutrient metabolism and disease susceptibility. It combines genomics, bioinformatics, and nutritional science to develop personalized dietary recommendations based on individual genetic profiles.
Food Safety and Quality Control
This course addresses the critical importance of ensuring safe and nutritious food products throughout the supply chain. Students gain knowledge about foodborne pathogens, regulatory compliance, risk assessment, and quality management systems used in food manufacturing and processing.
Community Nutrition
This track focuses on designing and implementing nutrition education programs for underserved populations. It involves understanding cultural factors, socioeconomic determinants, and communication strategies that promote healthy eating habits within diverse communities.
Maternal and Child Nutrition
This course explores the nutritional needs of mothers and children during critical periods of growth and development. Students study prenatal nutrition, breastfeeding practices, infant feeding, childhood obesity prevention, and early intervention strategies.
Nutritional Psychology
This specialization examines the psychological aspects of eating behaviors, including emotional eating, food preferences, and the impact of stress on dietary choices.
Environmental Nutrition
This course investigates how environmental factors such as pollution, climate change, and agricultural practices affect nutritional quality and access to healthy foods. Students explore sustainable food systems, food security, and the role of agriculture in public health.
Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals
This track covers the development and evaluation of foods enriched with bioactive compounds that offer health benefits beyond basic nutrition.
Project-Based Learning Philosophy
The department strongly believes in project-based learning as a means to foster critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and practical skills. Projects are structured to mirror real-world scenarios, allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings.
The mini-project component begins in the fifth semester, where students work on smaller-scale research or applied projects under faculty guidance. These projects typically last 3-4 weeks and involve literature review, data collection, analysis, and presentation.
The capstone project in the sixth and seventh semesters is more comprehensive and often involves collaboration with industry partners or government agencies. Students are expected to conduct independent research, develop hypotheses, design experiments, collect and analyze data, and produce a final report or thesis.
Faculty mentors play a crucial role in guiding students throughout their projects. They provide expertise, resources, feedback, and support to ensure that projects meet academic standards and contribute meaningfully to the field of nutrition science.
Evaluation criteria for projects include methodology, data interpretation, presentation skills, teamwork, innovation, and impact on the community or industry. Students are encouraged to present their findings at conferences, workshops, or symposiums to gain exposure and recognition.