Dietetics and Nutrition

To graduate from the Dietetics and Nutrition degree programme, you must:

• successfully complete all the classes
• successfully complete all the internships
• produce two Bachelor’s theses which must both receive a pass mark
• pass the Bachelor‘s examination

Your title on graduation will be “Bachelor of Science in Health Studies (BSc)“.

During the degree programme our students complete two Bachelor’s theses, one in the fifth and one in the sixth semester.

The skills taught during the theses – such as the ability to ask appropriate questions and to apply scientific methods to seek answers – are core competences for the later working life of our students and are also essential for further study.

We specifically request that the theses be related to real-world topics in dietetics. At least one of the two theses must include a practical component. The problems addressed can be associated with the internship and the work can also be carried out in cooperation with institutions or firms.

The topics for the Bachelor’s theses can be chosen freely. A catalogue of topics suggested by the teaching staff is also available at the Institute.

The preparation of the Bachelor’s thesis is supported by an accompanying seminar. Supervisors also provide individual help to our students if they have professional, thematic or scientific questions.

By writing two theses students can profit from the experience gained in the first thesis when they prepare the second, applying and extending the skills they have learned. It is also possible for two or more students to work together in order to tackle a complex topic.

The Bachelor’s examination finds out whether our students have acquired the basic skills and proficiency required to become dieticians. It tests their knowledge of the methods, systematics and terminology of the subject areas addressed in this degree programme.
The examination, which is conducted by an examination board, involves presentation of the two Bachelor’s theses and a discussion of the work carried out and the ways in which it is linked to different areas of the curriculum. One of the two theses must be presented in English.
The examination board consists of up to six people. The combination of examiners is selected so that the members of the teaching and research staff who take part are able to cover both subject-specific and medical content. The examination board is thus made up of the following people:

• a doctor
• if necessary the supervisors of the Bachelor’s theses
• faculty members, professional or external lecturers

After completing the Bachelor’s programme our students can enrol on the Master’s programme in Applied Nutrition Medicine at FH JOANNEUM. This part-time programme is offered in cooperation with the Medical University of Graz. It is usually possible to begin immediately after attaining the Bachelor’s degree.

The main focus of this programme is on the interdisciplinary cooperation between dieticians and doctors and the ways in which each can benefit from the skills of the other. The programme consists of eight modules in four semesters and a Master’s thesis.

Those of our graduates who want to obtain further qualifications in the area of management can join the Master’s degree programme in Health, Tourism and Sport Management at FH JOANNEUM. After two years’ professional work our graduates can also take part in the postgraduate course in Health Care and Hospital Management which is offered in cooperation with the Medical University of Graz.