Syllabus for BIO-208

THE SCIENCE OF NUTRITION


COURSE DESCRIPTION

The Science of Nutrition is designed to provide students with the foundational knowledge of basic nutritional science. This includes an understanding of the function of the chemical components of foods, including nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and water, and their role in human metabolism. Information on food selection, diet, and health will also be investigated.

COURSE TOPICS

COURSE OBJECTIVES

After completing this course, students should be able to:

CO1        Explain the importance of science-based dietary guidelines, dietary assessment, and understanding food labeling in achieving a healthy society.  

CO2        Identify the vitamins and minerals and the role they play in human biological function.

CO3        Explain the basic structure and function of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in human nutrition.

CO4        Describe the steps involved in metabolism and the consequences of consuming too much or obtaining too little energy.

CO5        Discuss the nutritional needs of special populations, including infants, pregnant women, and those with chronic disease conditions.

CO6        Conduct a personal dietary analysis that includes self-reflection and recommendations.

COURSE MATERIALS

You will need the following materials to complete your coursework. Some course materials may be free, open source, or available from other providers. You can access free or open-source materials by clicking the links provided below or in the module details documents. To purchase course materials, please visit the University's textbook supplier.

Required Textbook

Note: The required textbook is a free, open-source textbook which you may access online and/or save as a PDF.

COURSE STRUCTURE

The Science of Nutrition is a three-credit, online course that contains six modules, midterm and final examinations, and a final project in the form of a dietary analysis. Modules include an overview, topics, learning objectives, study materials, and activities. Module titles are listed below.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

For your formal work in the course, you are required to participate in online discussion forums, complete written assignments, take module quizzes, take proctored midterm and final examinations, and complete a final project. See below for details.

Consult the Course Calendar for due dates.

Promoting Originality

One or more of your course activities may utilize a tool designed to promote original work and evaluate your submissions for plagiarism. More information about this tool is available in About SafeAssign.

Discussion Forums

You are required to complete five discussion forums. The discussion forums are on a variety of topics associated with the course modules. A grading rubric for the discussion forums can be found within the Evaluation Rubrics folder in Moodle.

Written Assignments

You are required to complete six written assignments. The written assignments are on a variety of topics associated with the course modules. Grading rubrics for the written assignments can be found within the Evaluation Rubrics folder in Moodle.

Module Quizzes

You are required to complete six module quizzes. Each quiz will consist of 10 to 15 multiple-choice questions. The module quizzes are on a variety of topics associated with the course modules. You may take these quizzes multiple times for additional practice; the result of your most recent attempt will appear in your gradebook.  

Examinations

You are required to take two proctored online examinations: a midterm exam and a final exam. Both exams require that you use the University's Online Proctor Service (OPS). Please refer to the Examinations and Proctors section of the Online Student Handbook (see General Information area of the course website) for further information about scheduling and taking online exams and for all exam policies and procedures. You are strongly advised to schedule your exams within the first week of the semester.

Online exams are administered through the course website. Consult the Course Calendar for the official dates of exam weeks.

Midterm Examination

Note: For a list of key concepts that may appear on your exam, refer to the study guide available in the Examinations section of the course website.

The midterm exam covers all material assigned in Modules 1–3 of the course. The exam is two hours long and consists of short essays and multiple-choice questions.

Final Examination

Note: For a list of key concepts that may appear on your exam, refer to the study guide available in the Examinations section of the course website.

 

The final exam covers all material assigned in Modules 4–6 of the course. The exam is two hours long and consists of short essays and multiple choice questions.

Statement about Cheating

You are on your honor not to cheat during the exam. Cheating means:

If there is evidence that you have cheated or plagiarized in your exam, the exam will be declared invalid, and you will fail the course.

Final Project

For the final project, you will complete a dietary self-analysis and assessment based on a self-recorded dietary intake. Using the Final Project template, you will report nutrient data, identify areas of strength and weakness, reflect on your experience, and make recommendations. Please see the Final Project area of the course for more information and a link to the template. A grading rubric for the final project can be found within the Evaluation Rubrics folder in Moodle. See the Course Calendar for the due date.

GRADING AND EVALUATION

Your grade in the course will be determined as follows:

All activities will receive a numerical grade of 0–100. You will receive a score of 0 for any work not submitted. Your final grade in the course will be a letter grade. Letter grade equivalents for numerical grades are as follows:

A

=

93–100

C+

=

78–79

A–

=

90–92

C

=

73–77

B+

=

88–89

C–

=

70–72

B

=

83–87

D

=

60–69

B–

=

80–82

F

=

Below 60

To receive credit for the course, you must earn a letter grade of C or better (for an area of study course) or D or better (for a course not in your area of study), based on the weighted average of all assigned course work (e.g., exams, assignments, discussion postings).

STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS

First Steps to Success

To succeed in this course, take the following first steps:

Study Tips

Consider the following study tips for success:

ACADEMIC POLICIES

To ensure success in all your academic endeavors and coursework at Thomas Edison State University, familiarize yourself with all administrative and academic policies including those related to academic integrity, course late submissions, course extensions, and grading policies.

 

For more, see:

 

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