Welcome to the Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences (NFSC) at the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences (FAFS), American University of Beirut.
NFSC is a leading center for nutrition and food science education and research in Lebanon and the region. The Department fosters a multidisciplinary approach to basic, clinical, epidemiological and translational research, addressing topics such as food consumption practices, nutritional assessment, nutritional biochemistry, food security, food safety, quality of traditional foods, consumer behavior, community nutrition among underprivileged populations, diet-related non-communicable diseases, public health nutrition and the genetic factors underlying nutrition and obesity-related health conditions.
Since its establishment in the 1960s, alongside the founding of FAFS, the Department has been committed to improving health and social well-being by tackling nutritional challenges within communities. NFSC offers undergraduate programs in Nutrition and Dietetics, and Food Science and Management, as well as several graduate programs including MSc in Nutrition, MSc in Food Technology and MSc in Food Safety. In addition, the Department jointly offers an MSc in Public Health Nutrition with the Faculty of Health Sciences. Most recently, the USA-based Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) granted full re-accreditation for a seven-year term to both the MS in Nutrition and Dietetics Coordinated Program (MSCP), under the International Coordinated Program (ICP) in Dietetics standards, and the BS in Nutrition and Dietetics Coordinated Program (NDCP), under the Foreign Dietitian Education (FDE) program standards.
To support its research endeavors, the Department has secured substantial funding from international, regional, and national organizations, as well as from the private sector. These research grants empower NFSC faculty to conduct and publish high-impact studies and provide students with valuable opportunities to engage in cutting-edge research and scholarly activities.
The Department has also hosted numerous internationally renowned scientists as visiting professors and lecturers and maintains active collaborations with leading universities in the United States and Europe. Many PhD candidates from these institutions have conducted part of their research at AUB under the supervision of NFSC faculty members.
I invite you to explore our website to learn more about our programs, research initiatives, and community impact.
Samer A Kharroubi, PhD, CStat
Professor, Chair and Associate Dean
Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences