BS Human Nutrition & Dietetics (BS HND)

Vision

To be a nationally and internationally recognised centre of excellence in Human Nutrition and Dietetics, distinguished by academic quality, innovative clinical research and meaningful healthcare and community collaboration. We aspire to develop globally competitive graduates who excel in therapeutic nutrition, healthcare systems, research and community-based health initiatives — empowering them to combat malnutrition, prevent lifestyle diseases and contribute to sustainable health advancement and societal well-being.

Mission

The Department of Human Nutrition & Dietetics at KIAS is dedicated to delivering excellence in education through a dynamic, student-centred learning environment that combines rigorous theoretical foundations with hands-on clinical and community-driven experiences. Through an outcome-based curriculum, distinguished faculty, state-of-the-art biochemistry and nutrition labs, clinical rotations and strong hospital partnerships, the Department equips students with the technical expertise, diagnostic skills, empathy and professional competence required to thrive in the healthcare and wellness sector.

Program Overview

The Department of Human Nutrition & Dietetics at KIAS is committed to advancing excellence in nutritional education, research, clinical practice and public health. The undergraduate programme cultivates scientifically proficient, ethically responsible and clinically competent graduates equipped to address the shifting nutritional and metabolic challenges of the modern era. By integrating clinical training with academic coursework, the Department prepares students to work alongside medical professionals to tackle malnutrition, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders.

The outcome-based curriculum is built in accordance with Higher Education Commission (HEC) standards and benchmarked against international dietetic guidelines. Students engage in immersive learning through laboratory experimentation, hospital ward rounds, community health surveys, industrial internships and public-health seminars, building the professional confidence required to lead in the global health and wellness sector.

Scope

BS HND graduates can work in:

• Hospitals, clinics & healthcare centres (government & private)
• Public-health organisations & NGOs
• Community nutrition and maternal-child health programmes
• Research institutes, universities & colleges
• Fitness centres, health clubs & sports organisations
• Food & pharmaceutical (nutraceutical) industries

Career Opportunities

Government & Public Sector

• Primary & Secondary Healthcare Department (Clinical Nutritionists)
• Punjab Food Authority (PFA) / Sindh Food Authority (SFA) — Food Safety Officers
• National Institute of Health (NIH)
• Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation & Coordination
• Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) — Nutrition Initiatives
• Public-sector teaching hospitals across Pakistan

Hospital & Healthcare Networks

• Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital
• The Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH)
• Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS)
• Doctors Hospital & Medical Center, Chughtai Lab & Healthcare, Shifa International Hospital

Food & Pharmaceutical Industries

• Nestlé Pakistan, Unilever Pakistan, National Foods Limited
• Nutrico Morinaga Pakistan, Getz Pharma (Nutraceuticals), Abbott Laboratories (Nutrition division)

Admission Criteria

Eligibility: Higher Secondary School Certificate (F.Sc. Pre-Medical) or equivalent qualification (A-Levels with Biology and Chemistry) from an IBCC-recognised board with at least 50% marks. Candidates may be required to pass an admission entrance test and fulfil any other academic requirements set by the institute, including interviews or aptitude assessments.

Scheme of Study

BS Human Nutrition & Dietetics — Four-Year Course, 8 semesters, 131 total credit hours.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the BS Human Nutrition & Dietetics program will be able to:

1. Clinical & Nutritional Knowledge — Build a comprehensive foundation in biological sciences, human anatomy, biochemistry, clinical dietetics and metabolic systems to assess nutritional health accurately.
2. Critical Thinking & Diagnostic Skills — Evaluate patient records, physiological markers and lifestyle factors to devise personalized therapeutic diet plans for complex medical cases.
3. Practical & Technical Skills — Design, organise and administer hospital food services, assess nutritional status using advanced diagnostic tools and ensure safety standards.
4. Preventative Public Health — Create and lead public-health interventions and awareness campaigns to tackle regional dietary issues, obesity, diabetes and childhood malnutrition.
5. Communication & Counseling — Counsel patients, families and communities with empathy, breaking down medical diet plans into practical lifestyle recommendations.
6. Leadership & Hospital Management — Apply healthcare management, teamwork and entrepreneurial principles to coordinate clinical operations and set up private nutrition clinics.
7. Professionalism & Medical Ethics — Demonstrate integrity, respect for patient confidentiality and responsible ethical conduct in health clinics, hospitals and food industries.
8. Hands-on Clinical Internship — Complete intensive practical training in accredited hospital wards and research labs, gaining direct real-world experience under expert clinical dietitians.