If you are interested in sustainable food systems, nutrition, health and well-being, than the EcoGastronomy major at UNH is the program for you. Blend your love for food with your vision for change.
This unique program blends sustainable food systems and culinary arts with business know-how. You'll get hands-on experience on local farms and in kitchens – and even spend a semester studying in Italy.
This dual major adds zest to any career path, but especially hospitality, nutrition, agribusiness, and food infrastructure. You'll be well-positioned for many jobs, from sommelier or chef to nutritionist or farm manager.
What is EcoGastronomy?
The term “gastronomy,” defined as the “art and appreciation of preparing and eating good food” is paired with the prefix “eco,” indicating that the “art and appreciation” of food cannot be separated from our agriculture, environment, and the myriad social, economic, political, and ethical issues associated with food production and eating. This dual major requires completion of the EcoGastronomy program with any other major.
Why study EcoGastronomy at UNH?
The dual major in EcoGastronomy at UNH was the first of its kind at any university in the country. A partnership of the Paul College of Business and Economics and the College of Life Sciences and Agriculture, the program will provide you with a one-of-a-kind learning experience that links the fields of sustainable agriculture, regional cuisine, hospitality management, and nutrition. All students who declare the dual major in EcoGastronomy spend a semester abroad — in Ascoli Piceno, Italy; with a choice of spring, summer, or fall. Residents of Maine, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, or Massachusetts, under the New England Regional Program, receive a discounted out-of-state tuition.
Potential careers
- Chef
- Community health professional
- Dietary technician
- Farm manager
- Food and beverage manager
- Marketing & events manager
- Nutritionist
- Public policy analyst
- Sommelier
- Sustainability program director
- Teacher
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The communities and people I've found here make UNH feel like home. All of my professors in the economics program have been amazing. They're very passionate!Learn More -
It also is a great opportunity try out something you think you may want to do – a learning experience. I think that my experience in the B Impact Clinic and Voice Z Digital prepared me a lot for this role.Learn More -
Dual major integrates sustainable agriculture, hospitality management, and nutrition“It was the perfect blend for my love of healthy living and sustainable food,” Stott said. “I found my true passion. Without a food system that works well, we can’t meet everyone’s basic need to eat.”Learn More -
Can fresh local food be offered at Wentworth-Douglass?Undergraduate Research Conference poster presentations in the Paul College great hall The once trendy, now common expression for eating fresh and healthy food is farm-to-table. But there’s nothing that says that table has to be in someone’s house or a restaurant. That thought occurred to Molly Schneider-Ferrari ’17 while she was working in the…Learn More
Curriculum & Requirements
The Dual Major in EcoGastronomy integrates UNH strengths in sustainable agriculture, hospitality management, and nutrition. EcoGastronomy offers a unique academic program emphasizing the interdisciplinary, international, and experiential knowledge that connects all three fields.
The EcoGastronomy Dual Major is a collaboration with the University of New Hampshire's College of Life Sciences and Agriculture, Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics, and the Sustainability Institute.
Degree Requirements
All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.
EcoGastronomy Dual Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ECOG 401 | Introduction to Ecogastronomy | 4 |
| SAFS 405 | Sustainable Agriculture and Food Production | 4 |
| NUTR 400 | Nutrition in Health and Well Being | 4 |
| NUTR 403 | Culinary Arts Skills Development | 4 |
| or HMGT 405 | Introduction to Food and Service Management | |
| NUTR 686 | UNH-in-Italy Study Abroad 1 | 0 |
| ECOG 701 | EcoGastronomy Capstone 2 | 2-4 |
| Elective | ||
| Select one course from the following: | 4 | |
ANSC 602 | Animal Rights and Societal Issues | |
ANSC 698 | Cooperative for Real Education in Agricultural Management (CREAM) | |
EREC 680 | Agricultural and Food Policy | |
HIST 618 | American Environmental History | |
HMGT 771 | International Wine and Beverage | |
HMGT 570 | International Food and Culture | |
MGT 662 | Exploration in Entrepreneurial Management | |
NR 602 | Natural Resources and Environmental Policy | |
NR 720 | International Environmental Politics and Policies for the 21st Century | |
NR 784 | Sustainable Living - Global Perspectives | |
NR 785 | Systems Thinking for Sustainable Solutions | |
NUTR 625 | From Farm to the Italian Table | |
NUTR 720 | Community Nutrition | |
NUTR 730 | From Seed to Sea: Examining Sustainable Food Systems | |
SAFS 620 | Food Systems & Community Resilience | |
SAFS 679 | Food Production Field Experience I | |
SOC 665 | Environmental Sociology | |
ZOOL 610 | Principles of Aquaculture | |
MEFB 772 | Fisheries Biology: Conservation and Management | |
| Total Credits | 22-24 | |
- 1
NUTR 686 UNH-in-Italy Study Abroad is a variable credit course. ECOG students must complete at least 8 credits of study abroad.
- 2
Satisfies the capstone requirement of the Discovery Program for the EcoGastronomy major.
- Students will understand and be able to communicate the interconnected nature of the food system, taking into account the social, political, ethical, environmental, economic, and social justice issues that are intertwined in the system.
- Students will gain practical understanding of food system sustainability by engaging in experiential education opportunities.
- Students will be able to speak fluently in the language of sustainable food systems.
- Students will effectively analyze and evaluate the full lifecycle of a food, or food product, by identifying and applying reliable information.
- Students will demonstrate effective oral communication skills.
- Students will demonstrate effective written communication skills.
- Students will demonstrate effective presentation skills.
Explore Program Details
Students interested in our EcoGastronomy Dual major may also be interested in these advanced degree offerings:
- Full-Time MBA or Online or Hybrid MBA
- Six MBA options are available, but not required: Finance, Information Systems & Business Analytics, Marketing, Global Business, Growth and Innovation, and Healthcare Industry
- M.S. Agricultural Sciences
- M.S. Nutrition
