Bachelor of Foods Nutrition and Dietics Program Offered at Egerton University

Human Nutrition as a subject has continued to occupy an important position in the world due to the prevailing food and nutritional problems affecting populations in both the developed and the developing countries. The expertise and subject content in Foods, Nutrition and Dietetics prepares professionals capable of providing services in various settings to help solve health and nutritional problems associated with food and nutrition inadequacies at the individual, family, and at the community levels.

This Bachelor of foods and Nutrition degree programme as offered at Egerton University addresses  current issues in foods, nutrition and dietetics, and will be geared towards filling existing gaps in manpower needs in this area in both the public and private sector.

Additional courses in agricultural sciences will be offered to provide a good understanding of issues related to food production and food supply at home and national level.

Professional openings for graduates in Foods, Nutrition and Dietetics include the ministries of Health, Agriculture, Private and Government Hospitals, Hospices, Non-government organizations (NGO?s), and other community service oriented organizations.

Graduates of the programme can be deployed in the community as field nutritionists by government ministries or NGOs, to advice families on food production and consumption in order to improve household food security and nutrition status. In addition they can also serve in outreach programmes within hospitals where they could follow and advise discharged patients with diet related illnesses.

The graduates of this programme are also well prepared for self-employment in the area of food service delivery, and as diet counsellors to individuals or groups with diet related ailments. This can therefore, strengthen and contribute to primary health care which emphasizes preventive rather than curative health care.

The growth of the food industry in Kenya and other African countries means additional employment opportunities in that the industry will utilise graduates in human nutrition and dietetics in their outreach programmes and in their research departments.

The programme is unique in that it produces a special care of professionals who will be well grounded in foods, nutrition and dietetics as well as in agricultural sciences. This background is essential to ensure adequate food security and proper utilization of food.

The general objectives of the Foods, Nutrition and Dietetics programme at Egerton University are to:

• offer opportunities for students to develop professional competencies in the areas of Foods, Nutrition and Dietetics, which will help them, improve the health and nutrition status of the people they will serve;
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• prepare students with professional competencies necessary for employment in institutions, industries and organizations related to their field of training or for self-employment; and
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• develop research skills in the area of Foods, Nutrition and Dietetics aimed at improving the quality of life of individuals and communities.

Specific Objectives
By the end of the programme the graduate should be able to:

• provide advice on proper food choices to individuals or communities to promote healthy eating, prevent malnutrition or manage diet related conditions;
• provide expertise on food utilization and preservation to improve food and nutrition security and overall nutritional status of communities;
• undertake research in emerging issues in the areas of food, nutrition and dietetics; and
• establish enterpreneural activities in the areas of Foods, Nutrition and Dietetics.

To be eligible for admission, candidates must satisfy the minimum entry requirements as set out by Egerton University statutes. In addition,

Candidates must have passed the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) at the minimum B - grade in the courses below:

1. Alternative A : Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics C+
2. Alternative B : Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, Mathematics  C+
3. Geography or any of the group IV subjects

Candidates with a diploma in related areas from a recognized institution may be admitted, provided that they passed at credit level or above.

Admission is also open to other degree holders with minimum entry requirements.

Mininum Entry Requirements for Bachelor's Degree at Egerton University
The entry requirements set out below are only minimum, and they in no way entitle an applicant to a place in the University. Applicants must:

• Have the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education with an average grade C+ (C plus)passed at one sitting from at least seven subjects drawn from subject groupings as specified by the Kenya National Examinations Council or its equivalent.

OR

• Have one of the following combinations of passes in the Kenya Advanced Certificate of Education examination:
• Two (2) Principal passes obtained at the same sitting.

OR

• Egerton University Statutes 2008 43
• Two (2) Principal passes obtained at different sittings provided the passes are of Grade C or higher.

OR

• Hold a Diploma of Egerton University with a 'Credit' pass or higher or an equivalent
• Qualification from a recognized institution in the relevant field of specialization acceptable to Senate. Those with a 'Pass' Diploma will be considered if they have at least two years relevant experience after graduation.

AND
Meet additional entry requirements as may be specified by the respective Department, Faculty, School or Institute.

To be admitted for a PRE-SERVICE DEGREE PROGRAM, a prospective candidate must have all the requirements set up by the joint Admission Board (JAB), with a prospective IN-SERVICE student must have completed a diplomaprogram in the relevant field and graduated with at least a CREDIT.

The programme extends over a period of four academic years and two to three years for in-service students based on the Credit-Factor transfer. A maximum of eight years is allowed to complete the programme with a minimum 144 CF
Each academic year consists of two semesters, with fifteen (15) weeks of teaching and two (2) weeks of examination.
Institutional Attachment is undertaken at the end of the third academic year.

Egerton University is the oldest institution of higher learning in Kenya. It was founded as a Farm School in 1939 by Lord Maurice Egerton of Tatton, a British national who settled in Kenya in the 1920s.

Egerton University has three (3) Campuses and one Campus College.

The main Campus is based at ... read more