Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I study Nutrition and Dietetics?
Healthy nutrition is one of the most effective approaches in the protection of individual and public health, as well as in disease treatment. With the current boom in obesity, diabetes, or heart diseases, the need has arisen for dietitians to introduce healthy nutritional habits into the society, and prevent, or completely alleviate, diseases. Dietitians aim to increase individuals’ quality of life and lower the rate of chronic diseases, as well as health care costs, by devising nutritional plans for any individual on the basis of the rules of nutrition as a science, and training these individuals to follow their plan. Therefore, public health care centers, polyclinics, hospitals, and any other similar institution offering health care employ dietitians. Meanwhile, schools, hotels, restaurants, retirement homes, and other institutions that require a special menu and recipes for the community served need dietitians at great extents. Dietitians may also plan personalized diets for weight control, for special individuals such as those pregnant, infants, or athletes; as well as individuals with chronic diseases. In addition, the academia would benefit immensely from dietitians to contribute to the current literature on nutrition and diet at the center of welfare and food research, to conduct studies in different areas of research, and to guide dietary suggestions and health policies.
What makes your department stand out among other Nutrition and Dietetics departments?
The Atılım University Department of Nutrition and Dietetics is the only one in Ankara, and one of the five in Turkey, to offer education completely in English. Our curriculum involves courses that match the YÖK ÇEP program, and are aligned with the global Nutrition and Dietetics literature; in addition to supporting personal and professional growth. Furthermore, the wide array of electives provides students with the chance to take courses that either match their areas of interest, or their intentions to choose it as their field of operation. Theoretical courses are supported in practice through the experiments and practice sessions at our state-of-the-art Nutrition Principles, Food Chemistry and Nutritional Anthropometry, and Nutrition Research Laboratories. In addition, we organize debates on current nutritional subjects to cover the courses in which students participate, to be attended by every student.
Students’ professional development is supported with internship studies in different fields in the final year of the Nutrition and Dietetics program. In addition, our school is affiliated with Medicana Hospital, providing our students with opportunities for employment after graduation, as well as partnership in studies and projects, in addition to internship studies.
Our undergraduate students are granted the chance to take part in academic projects as scholars, and the assignments given with the aim to improve students’ skills in academic writing help our students to improve their academic side; and to follow, and contribute to, the current literature. Also organized at our department are academic events with academicians and professionals as speakers, held with the aim to provide our students with information on the different schools and fields of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Why should I study Nutrition and Dietetics in English?
The field of Nutrition and Dietetics is at the heart of welfare and food research, requiring individuals in the field to follow the current scientific resources, and practices. These resources and practices are published in English internationally. A 4-year education completely in English provides our students with the skills to follow such a dynamic literature. In addition to their course topics, our students also learn the terminology for Nutrition and Dietetics as a field of science, in preparation for international scientific events, publications and studies. As a program in English, our program facilitates student participation in exchange programs, and allow exchange students to internalize better the education provided abroad. Furthermore, it contributes to the success of students wishing to pursue graduate degree education abroad in the language exams taken to be selected for such programs.
What are the internship opportunities?
To obtain their undergraduate degree, our students are required to complete three mandatory internship studies (Nutrition and Dietetics Field Internship, Institution and Hospital Practice I, Institution and Hospital Practice II). Internship and employment opportunities to our graduates are provided due to the affiliation between Medicana International and Atılım University.
Where may graduates find employment?
Graduates of the program may serve as researchers, trainers, and rehabilitators at inpatient treatment institutions, child and elderly nursing homes, in clinics for mother-child health care and community health care, or in private diet clinics. They may also work as academicians. Furthermore, graduates may work as managers, researchers, and trainers at other catering companies, as well as private or public institutions operating in food and nutrition.
Do you have Erasmus connections?
Students of our Nutrition and Dietetics program have the option to study abroad within the framework of the Erasmus program, should they meet the GPA and foreign language requirements. The Erasmus program increases the chances of our graduates to find employment, and allows them to strengthen their social skills, familiarize themselves with different cultures, learn a new language, and add to their academic success. We are in Erasmus contracts with multiple universities abroad, with an ever-widening collaboration network. Currently, our first student is en route to University of Foggia, Italy, to study there. We are currently:
In a mutual agreement with University of Foggia (Italy),
In a mutual agreement with University of Ostrava (Czech Republic),
and in a verbal agreement with Autonomous University of Barcelona (Spain). We are awaiting their response to proceed with the official procedures.
What is Core Curriculum (CC)?
The Collaborative Education program is a collaborative program where students gain professional experience while studying. The Cooperative Education model combines education with professional life to equip students with both academic knowledge and professional experience. Flourishing in United States and becoming widespread around the world, the model is widely applied in a large number of countries including those in Europe, and the Far East. The purpose of cooperative education is to integrate the business world with education life. The program is a means to merge theoretical information acquired at the university with the practice at work, with the aim to graduate individuals knowledgeable in both theoretical backgrounds, and practices. Students fulfilling the duties of these practices have an important role in increasing public health levels as competent dietitians. With this aim in mind, program curricula have been configured in line with “Core Curriculum”.
How would you describe the physical features of your department?
Our department provides a seamless progression of field-related educational processes. At our department, we have three state-of-the-art laboratories where students may practice the theoretical courses in their program as they are. These laboratories are the places for our students to learn the effects of different cooking methods in food quality, observe the chemical reactions in food, and to learn, and practice, different measurement methods used to assess body composition. We also have classrooms and theaters, and study rooms, that match student capacities.
What are the scholarship options and student quotas?
In the Year of 2019-2020, 45 students are to be admitted, through the central placement system. Among them, 5 students will be granted a full scholarship, while 14 students will be granted half.
To what national and international graduate and doctorate degree programs may your graduates apply?
Our graduates may apply to post-graduate degree programs at universities offering graduate and doctorate degree programs in Nutrition and dietetics, provided that they meet the prerequisites (Their ALES scores, foreign language scores, or GPA at graduation). They may also apply to graduate programs in other multidisciplinary areas (Physiology, Biochemistry, Sports Sciences etc.) that admit students with an undergraduate degree in Nutrition and Dietetics as a prerequisite, if they meet the other required conditions. They may also apply to similar international graduate degree programs if they meet the requirements. However, different countries, and universities, may expect different conditions and competencies. Yet, our graduates will have gained an edge in the case of the proficiency requirements for programs abroad, since they will have received education in English.