Consortium for International Studies | Evaluated Learning Experience
Introduction to Nutrition SCI 105
Varies (self-study, self-paced).
April 2025 - Present.
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: identify and describe the major classes of nutrients and their roles in human health; interpret food labels and apply dietary guidelines to assess and improve eating habits; analyze digestion, absorption, and metabolism of macronutrients and micronutrients; evaluate sources of nutrition information for credibility and scientific accuracy; explain how nutrition affects body weight, physical performance, and chronic disease; and discuss how nutritional needs change throughout the human lifespan.
Major topics include the functions of essential nutrients, digestion, metabolism, dietary planning, energy balance, chronic disease prevention, physical performance, and nutritional needs across the human lifespan. Students study food labels, dietary guidelines, and nutrition literacy while analyzing personal dietary habits and evaluating nutrition information for scientific accuracy. Instruction is based on the open-access textbook Nutrition: Science and Everyday Application (2nd Edition) published by the University of Minnesota. Students complete reading quizzes, reflective assignments, and a nutrient-based meal planning project, and are assessed through a cumulative multiple-choice final exam.
In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 3 semester hours in Health Science, Nutrition, Allied Health, Public Health, Human Services, Social Science, or Athletic Training.