Academic Catalog 2024–2025

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Department of Nutrition and Food Science

Overview

At the heart of LAU’s academic excellence, our department not only powers its cutting-edge curricula but also enriches the university’s Liberal Arts curriculum by fostering scientific literacy among all students.

We offer a dynamic blend of specialized courses in human nutrition, clinical dietetics, community nutrition, management systems, food service management, food microbiology, food chemistry, food processing, and food production. Our programs stand out with innovative, student-centered, active learning methods, combining evidence-based theoretical knowledge with immersive, hands-on laboratory experiences. Furthermore, we emphasize an entrepreneurial approach, equipping students with the skills to launch new ideas, develop businesses, and tackle emerging challenges in the nutrition and food science sectors.

Our graduates are trailblazers, ready to excel in advanced studies or make their mark in diverse careers. From shaping the future of dietetics, public health, and the food industry to leading breakthroughs in research, consultancy, and pharmaceuticals, our alumni drive positive change across the globe.

Brief History of the Department

Our journey began in 2010 with the launch of the BS in Nutrition, later renamed BS in Nutrition and Dietetics, marking the foundation of a dynamic path of innovation and academic excellence.

In 2014, we introduced the groundbreaking BS in Nutrition and Dietetics Coordinated Program (CP), which integrates education with hands-on training to prepare students for professional success. By 2018, our academic portfolio expanded with the launch of the MS in Nutrition, enabling advanced study and research opportunities. That same year, we inaugurated the Fouad El-Abd Food Innovation Lab—a state-of-the-art facility that bridges theory and practice, empowering students to explore the frontiers of food innovation in a cutting-edge environment.

In 2024, we achieved two transformative milestones: the establishment of the Department of Nutrition and Food Science and the full accreditation of the CP by the prestigious Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Notably, our CP became the second program outside the US to earn this distinguished accreditation, underscoring our commitment to delivering world-class education.

Through these achievements, we remain steadfast in our mission to empower future leaders to address global challenges in health, nutrition, and food science. Anchored in LAU’s vision for excellence and transformative impact, we are dedicated to shaping the future of wellness and advancing solutions that resonate locally and globally.

Chairperson

  • Rizk, Rana

Coordinators

  • Abi Kharma, Joelle, ACEND Coordinator

Faculty and Staff

Professors

  • Hassan, Hussein F.

Associate Professors

  • Mattar, Lama
  • Zeeni, Nadine

Assistant Professors

  • Jabbour, Jana
  • Rizk, Rana

Senior Instructors

  • Abi Kharma, Joelle

Instructors

  • Stephan, Marie
  • Fadlallah, Marwa

Staff

  • Hanna, Lorita, Academic Assistant, Beirut and Byblos
  • Tannous, Jinane, Science Lab Assistant, Beirut and Byblos

Contact Information

  • Phone number: Extension 2481
  • Address: Block A, Room 804A, Byblos
  • Email

Degrees and Minors Offered

Courses Offered