Course Descriptions

The 36-credit hour Master of Science in Nutrition has a Community Nutrition emphasis and is designed to enhance knowledge and skills of nutritionists, dietitians and other professionals in nutrition practice. The focus of the degree is to assist professionals in lifelong learning in a multicultural world. Courses are designed to reflect evidence-based nutrition guidelines. This degree is offered fully online.

 

Nutrition (NUTR)

Course Number: 5303
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Nutrition Research

Course Description:
Examination of the scientific method and its application to the study of nutrition-based research.

Course Number: 5304
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Advanced Dietetics I

Course Description:
Exploration of evidence-based practice and delivery of nutrition and dietetics services for the patient in a healthcare facility with uncomplicated and complicated nutrition diagnoses.

Course Number: 5305
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Advanced Dietetics II

Course Description:
Exploration of evidence-based practice and delivery of nutrition and dietetics services for the individual, community and institutions.

Course Number: 5306
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Dietetic Practicum I

Course Description:
Supervised practice which requires 32-36 hours per week field experience in the areas of nutrition education & counseling, clinical nutrition, community nutrition and food service management, rotation sites include hospitals and other health care facilities, community nutrition sites, and food service facilities. To be completed in the fall semester.

Course Number: 5307
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Dietetic Practicum II

Course Description:
Supervised practice which requires 32-36 hours per week field experience in the areas of nutrition education & counseling, clinical nutrition, community nutrition and food service management. Rotation sites include hospitals and other health care facilities, community nutrition sites and food service facilities. To be completed in the spring semester.

Course Number: 5309
Credit Hours: 3
Title: The Energy Nutrients

Course Description:
In-depth study of the macronutrients, the major building blocks of life. Sources, classification, functions, digestion, absorption, metabolism and excretion of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. coverage of the major energy-generating pathways. Emphasis on various categories of macronutrients as related to health. Metabolism and health effects of alcohol.

Course Number: 5311
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy I

Course Description:
Integration of a student's knowledge on a variety of disease conditions and the intervention of medical nutrition therapies. Emphasis is placed on understanding energy expenditure, body composition and changes during physiological stress, illness and chronic disease. Core elements are applied in the study of various disease states and medical nutrition therapy.

Course Number: 5313
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy II

Course Description:
This course is a continuation of NUTR 5311 and will continue to explore the integration of students' knowledge on a variety of conditions and the medical nutrition therapy interventions. Emphasis is placed on understanding energy expenditure. body composition an changes during the acute and chronic disease states. Core elements are applied in the study of various diseases.

Course Number: 5317
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Food Principles

Course Description:
Principles of food science, including food evaluation, food laboratory experiments, research methods, food sanitation and safety, and government food regulations. Physical and Chemical properties of food including food preparation, processing, packaging and food biotechnology.

Course Number: 5319
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Menu & Production Management

Course Description:
Institutional menu planning and quality food production principles. Quality assurance, layout and product flow, food procurement, human and financial resources in the institutional setting.

Course Number: 5325
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Nutrition Education and Counseling

Course Description:
In depth study of communication and counseling skills utilized in conducting nutrition education to individuals and groups in community clinic settings. Requires case study presentation utilizing a trans-disciplinary, developmental problem-solving model as a learning framework to enhance critical-thinking skills.

Course Number: 5332
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Vitamins and Minerals

Course Description:
Emphasis on the specific micronutrients, vitamins and minerals, as related to health. sources, classification, functions, digestion, absorption, metabolism and excretion. vitamin/mineral deficiency and toxicity. Assessment of micronutrient status.

Course Number: 5338
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Integrative Nutrition

Course Description:
Emphasis on science-based literature of popular commentary and alternative nutrition therapies, including phytonutrients, functional foods, herbals, botanicals and dietary supplements. nontraditional medical practices commonly used to improve health will also be covered. The safety, efficacy and standardization of dietary supplements will be discussed.

Course Number: 5348
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Nutrition in Pregnancy and Infancy

Course Description:
Role of nutrition in health during the preconception period, gestation, embryonic and fetal development, lactation and the first year of life. focus on conditions that require special nutrition concern.

Course Number: 5349
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Nutrition in Aging

Course Description:
Role of nutrition in successful aging. Study of psychological, social and economic factors that contribute to nutrition needs and concerns of older adults.

Course Number: 5350
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Food, Culture and Health

Course Description:
An overview of global cultures and eating habits. Exploration of health and well-being as effected by food and culture.

Course Number: 5351
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Weight Management

Course Description:
A study of overweight and obesity: terminology, epidemiology, trends, assessment, etiology, consequences, prevention and treatment.

Course Number: 5352
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Eating Disorders

Course Description:
Cause, identification, treatment and prevention of eating disorders. Students learn screening techniques appropriate for identifying individuals with eating disorders.

Course Number: 5359
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Sports Nutrition

Course Description:
The role of nutrition in discussed as it relates to athletic performance and physical activity.

Course Number: 5367
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Field Experience

Course Description:
Graduate dietetics field experience is designed to enhance supervised practice experience through the development of the dietetic interns' ability to prioritize assignments, time management skills, thoroughly and accurately complete projects as well as have an understanding of the core competencies of the registered dietitian nutritionist. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 hours with varied experiences.

Course Number: 5388
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Dietetics Capstone

Course Description:
Culminating experience for students in the dietetic internship which combines a supervised practice experience in staff rotations, preparation for dietetics practice and completion of the program exit exam in order for students to become successful entry-level dietitians.

Course Number: 5389
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Nutrition Capstone

Course Description:
This capstone course allows students the opportunity to integrate the knowledge and skills gained from the M.S in Nutrition program. The course is designed to expand students' capacity to master new content, think critically and develop life-long learning skills across the disciplines of nutrition and community health. The course is taken the final semester of the program.