Undergraduate Study

Food Systems, Nutrition, and Health Majors

Students harvesting greens at UW farm

Food shapes nearly every aspect of our lives. It influences our health, communities, environment, economy, and future. From improving public health and food security to building more sustainable communities, food systems are at the center of solutions to many of today’s most pressing challenges.  

In the Food Systems, Nutrition, and Health (FSNH) major, you’ll explore how food moves from farms and fisheries to tables and communities, and how food systems shape human and planetary health. Through an interdisciplinary curriculum grounded in nutrition, public health, sustainability, equity, policy, and systems thinking, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills to help build healthier, more equitable, and more sustainable food systems. Beginning in Autumn 2026, students can choose between two major options: 

  • Bachelor of Arts (BA). A flexible, interdisciplinary pathway that emphasizes the connections among food systems, sustainability, equity, public health, policy, and society. The BA is well suited for students interested in careers or graduate study in areas such as policy, advocacy, sustainability, education, nonprofit leadership, communications, and the food industry.  
  • Bachelor of Science (BS). A science-intensive pathway that combines food systems thinking with additional preparation in chemistry, biology, physiology, analytical methods, and related sciences. The BS is ideal for students interested in research- and science-based graduate education. It is also ideal for students preparing for professional health programs such as dietetics, medicine, nursing, physical therapy, and more. 

Both majors share the same interdisciplinary FSNH core curriculum and systems-based approach. Students build a strong foundation in food systems, nutrition, policy, and public health, choosing the major pathway that best aligns with their academic interests and career goals. Whether you’re interested in sustainability, food policy, community engagement, public health, research, nutrition science, or health professions, FSNH provides opportunities to turn your passion into meaningful impact. 

Highlights

Interdisciplinary coursework. Courses span disciplines across the University of Washington while grounding students in nutrition, food systems, and public health. Both BA and BS students complete the same FSNH core curriculum and explore food systems through multiple perspectives and approaches, culminating with an applied senior capstone. 

Experiential Learning. Students will apply classroom learning to real-world food systems challenges through a community-engaged capstone projects, on-site work with programs such as the UW farm, and opportunities to participate in research and internships within the field.  

Top-ranked School of Public Health. As majors located within the UW School of Public Health, students in FSNH learn to apply public health approaches to food systems, nutrition, health, sustainability, and equity.     

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