The mission of the Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences (NFS) is to enhance the quality of life and well being of our constituents in Utah, the nation, and internationally through our programs in education, research, and extension.  This mission reinforces those of our College of Agriculture and Utah State University.

The teaching goal of the NFS department is to develop within our students the knowledge and skills required to be productive and advance in their professional field of endeavor.  Our education programs include both specialized and liberal studies that lead to satisfying professional careers and life enrichment.  The NFS department is a diverse science-based department with teaching emphases in Nutrition Science, Food Science, and Dietetics.  The affiliation of nutrition science  and food science is advantageous given the interrelationships of nutrition, food, and human health.  The dietetics program directly applies these core disciplines to issues of individual and public health. 

The research goal of the NFS department is scientific discovery that benefits the people of Utah, the nation, and world.  Research areas of emphasis include molecular and cellular nutrition, public health nutrition and epidemiology, microbiology and food safety, dairy and muscle foods processing, and dietetics administration. 

The outreach and extension goal of the NFS department is to disseminate and apply scientific knowledge in nutrition and food sciences to the people of Utah and the nation.  Key areas of outreach reflect the department’s scientific expertise and include nutrition education, food safety, and dairy and meat processing.   

The NFS department fosters equal opportunities for women and minority students and faculty, and welcomes foreign and domestic students and visiting professors.  We endeavor for a work environment characterized by collegiality and respect for individuals and ideas.