Graduate Programs in Clinical Nutrition

Course Descriptions

Course Codes:
BINF: SHRP Department of Health Informatics
IDST: SHRP Department of Interdisciplinary Studies
NUTR: SHRP Department of Nutritional Sciences
NURS: School of Nursing
PCAR: SHRP Department of Primary Care

All courses are 3 credits and web-based unless otherwise noted.

NUTR 6000 Independent Study (1, 2 or 3 credits)
Opportunities for directed inquiry into a problem or population of practical or theoretical importance to dietetic practice are available. Experiences may include serving as a research or teaching assistant, or developing a project.

NUTR 6120 Lactation Education
Didactic and simulated clinical case based learning via an interdisciplinary approach to breastfeeding education and promotion. The physiological, psychosocial, immunologic and economic benefits of breastfeeding to the infant and mother are covered in the course. Strategies for breastfeeding education during pregnancy, infancy and beyond infancy are addressed in normal and medically challenged situations.

NUTR 6260 Applied Physiology (Includes 3-day in person workshop)
This course provides an introduction to physical and diagnostic assessment of health status. Physical assessment competencies to be attained at the novice level include: assessment of body composition; measurement of vital signs; physical assessment of fluid status; assessment, of 'normal' breath and heart sounds; iIntra- and extra-oral assessment, dysphagia screening; and clinical assessment of nutrition status. The in-person workshop includes discussions and demonstration of techniques, and practice under professional supervision.

NUTR 6270 Nutrition and Exercise Physiology
This seminar focuses on the interaction between diet/nutrition and exercise in health promotion, weight control and management of chronic disease. The synergistic relationship between exercise and diet management of clients with weight management problems and chronic disease is explored through online seminars and case discussions. Health promotion guidelines for diet and exercise are addressed. Exercise and diet/nutrition guidelines for client assessment, education and monitoring are covered.

NUTR 6300 Vitamin and Mineral Metabolism
Theories and principles of vitamin and mineral metabolism combined with their application in clinical care and health promotion. Vitamins, minerals, and other natural and synthetic elements, with known or postulated nutrient effects, are explored in a combined lecture and seminar course. Effects of food technology on nutrient availability and longevity in the food supply, 'nutraceuticals' and federal policy and agencies governing vitamin and minerals are included. The first half of the course, taught by vitamin and mineral researchers, focuses on nutrient metabolism, function, and requirements throughout the lifespan and the multiple factors affecting needs and availability in health and disease. The second half of the course is seminar based and links the biochemistry of vitamins and minerals to clinical practice and consumer use.

NUTR 6310 Pediatric Nutrition
Advanced study of nutrition and diet in the neonate, infant, and child. The course focuses on the interrelationships of growth and development of the infant/child with nutrition status in health and disease. Nutrition for health promotion, the effects of malnutrition, disease and demographics on nutrition status, nutrient needs, feeding strategies, and normal growth and development are covered including pathophysiology of growth and development and their effect on organ systems. Nutrition assessment, planning, monitoring, counseling, and evaluation strategies are covered through lectures, literature reviews and case applications. Effects of medications, congenital and acquired diseases, treatments and the physical environment are included. The unique needs of this population for initial and ongoing counseling and monitoring are covered in discussions of psychological, ethical and social dynamics of care.

NUTR 6380 Thesis Seminar
The focus of the seminar course is completion of data analysis, evaluation, interpretation and preparation and presentation of the research thesis. (Prerequisite NUTR 6480).

NUTR 6400 Clinical Management
Application of the principles of management and clinical nutrition in the administration of nutrition services in various settings: acute and long-term care, ambulatory care and consultant services. Theories, techniques and tools drawn from current literature in business, management, health care and dietetics along with innovative practices are applied to nutrition management. Foundations of management, standards of practice, organizational design, and policies and procedures are used to teach development of a management framework in the clinical setting. Other topics will include strategic planning, financial and human management, leadership styles, meetings, mentoring and task delegation.

NUTR 6420 Nutrition & Aging
Advanced study of nutrition and diet in the aging individual in health and disease. The seminar will focus on the interrelationships of the physiological, psychological, social, economic and pharmacological factors affecting nutrition status in the elderly. Effects of aging, malnutrition, illness (acute, chronic and terminal disease) on nutritional status and nutrient needs stressed. Effective assessment, counseling, as well as monitoring approaches are discussed. Strategies for delivering comprehensive food and nutrition services for older adults across a myriad of settings are explored. Ethical, cultural, and societal issues concerning nutrition and aging are presented using case-based learning methods.

NUTR 6440 Nutrition Assessment of the Older Adult
This course represents an advanced study of nutrition assessment in the older adult, incorporating all major components of nutrition assessment (i.e., anthropometrics, biochemical indices, clinical symptomatology, dietary intake, and behavioral/socioeconomic factors), with special emphasis on physical assessment. The course evaluates assessment techniques as appropriate for the physiologic, pathophysiologic, and functional status of older adults, while introducing the physical and diagnostic assessment of health status in the older adult; such as measurement of body composition, vital signs, hydration status, breath and heart sounds, intra- and extra-oral assessment, dysphagia screening, and the clinical assessment of nutritional status.  All elements of the nutrition care process will be explored; nutrition screening/assessment, nutrition diagnoses, nutrition intervention, and monitoring/evaluation.  Students demonstrate acquisition of knowledge through the use of patient case scenarios.

NUTR 6480 Applied Clinical Research (4 credits; includes 2 1/2 day in-person statistics workshop)
This course provides an overview of clinical research methods with an emphasis on methods used in nutrition research. The fundamentals of research design, sampling and measurement of study variables; data collection, analysis and computer techniques; qualitative and quantitative research strategies; survey research and statistics, along with development of the research proposal are included in this course.

NUTR 6500 Cultural Issues Influencing Health
The impact of cultural diversity and the influences of culture and ethnicity on health practices, diet and feeding issues, medication, education and counseling, economics, language and the home environment are explored. The unique needs of these populations are covered in discussions of psychological and social dynamics of care. Health professionals with known expertise in cultural diversity along with practitioners working with specific cultural groups present class sessions.

NUTR 6505 Ethical Issues in Health Care Practice
This course is directed at the role of the health professional in the decision making process of ethical resolutions of patient/client nutrition and health care problems and interdisciplinary collegial conflicts. Skill development in moral critical-analysis is emphasized. U.S. and international bioethics and analysis of selected cases on malpractice, scientific experimentation and publication abuses, funding fraud, and euthanasia are discussed. The multicultural diversity of health-care values and beliefs is explored as variables that add dimension to an in-depth understanding of personal health care decisions.

NUTR 6510 Current Issues in Nutrition Health Care
Seminar-based course exploring select current issues facing nutrition and dietetics practice. Topics include health care reform, managed care, multicompetency in health practice, alternative health care models and economics of health care in urban, suburban and rural settings. Contemporary and forward thinking approaches to ethical issues facing nutrition practice are covered.

NUTR 6601 Advanced Clinical Nutrition
Advanced study of the principles of nutrition in health and disease. The interrelationships of nutrition with biochemical, physiological and anatomical changes associated with acute, chronic, and terminal illness, surgery, and trauma are explored. Students participate in the formulation of medical nutrition therapy plans by using the Nutrition Care Process framework by determining nutrition diagnoses, macro/micronutrient and fluid/electrolyte needs, routes of feeding, and implementation plans. Clinical cases are used to address metabolic, nutrition status and patient applications. Topics include: diabetes, surgery and critical care, nutrition support, burns, AIDS, immunology, cancer, transplant, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, liver and renal diseases.

NUTR 6602 Advanced Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition

This course is an advanced course on enteral and parenteral nutrition for the nutrition professional, with emphasis on the clinical practice applications. The course will provide the foundation in enteral and parenteral nutrition as well as in-depth concepts associated with the delivery of these therapies. Students and faculty will explore these topics in a seminar format. An evidence-based approach will be used.

NUTR 6609 Subspecialty Clinical Practice
This course provides students with a specialty practice experience in one or more practice settings. Examples include clinical rotations in: wellness, trauma and critical care, AIDS, cancer, geriatrics, pediatrics, women's health, diabetes, weight management, and complementary and alternative medicine. The supervised practice experiences provide opportunities for students to integrate knowledge and research findings in a practice setting; to develop skill in clinical, management, education or research applications, and to interface with other health care professionals. Experiences are individualized for the students based on identified goals and needs. Other experiences include working with development of continuing education programming, serving as a teaching assistant or web-master assistant using various media.

NUTR 6820 Nutritional Genomics for Practitioners
This course is an introduction to nutritional genomics for the nutrition professional, with emphasis on the potential clinical practice applications. The course provides the foundation in genetics/genomics and explores the role of nutritional genomics in the prevention and treatment of several chronic diseases. Applications from food science to policy development are addressed. Students and faculty will explore these issues in a seminar format. An evidence-based approach to select issues is used. In the latter part of the semester, students explore clinical practice issues through topic reviews and review of current research in related areas.

NUTR 7009 Clinical Practice Residency (DCN students only)
The Clinical Practice Residency is a 350-hour full (10 weeks) or part time (20 weeks) in-depth practice experience. The residency will be designed individually based on the student's interests and goals, and geographic resources. Online seminars enhance the experience. Topics for seminar include the scope of practice for the professions, advanced physical assessment skills, evidence based practice in clinical nutrition, reimbursement for nutrition services, negotiation skills, grantsmanship in practice, industry collaboration, ethics and clinical mentoring.

NUTR 7110 Current Issues in Nutrition
Through an evidence-based seminar course, the faculty and students will explore the emerging trends and issues in nutrition and dietetics. Topics may include technology, food microbiology and safety, world hunger, new food products.

NUTR 7210 Human Metabolism and Body Composition
This course is an advanced study of macronutrient metabolism in health and disease and their impact on nutritional well being. Techniques to measure and evaluate body composition (at the clinical, cellular, and tissue levels) are covered with an emphasis on changes throughout the lifespan and in disease status.

NUTR 7310 Advanced Technological Applications in Dietetics
This course will explore new applications of technology to dietetics practice, education and research. Students use computer based and other technologies to design educational materials for the public and professionals, explore research applications and day-to-day practice.

NUTR 7320 Advanced Clinical Nutrition Seminar
This course focuses on preventon and treatment of select systemic and chronic diseases and conditions inthe US along current clinical nutrition issues impacting advanced clinical dietetics practice. An in-depth examination of the topic and its research, both basic and applied will be examined using an evidence-based approach. Sessions address epidemiological issues, prevention and treatment to minimize the progression of obesity, cancer, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and diabetes. Current issues including nutrition diagnostic coding, genetics, and disordered eating will also be addressed. Recognized experts share practice and research issues with students. Students and faculty explore these issues in a seminar format. An evidence-based approach to select issues is used. In the latter part of the semester, students explore clinical practice issues through case presentations and topic reviews. A weekly review of current literature in related areas is included.

NUTR 7481 Clinical Nutrition Research Methods (DCN students only)
This course provides an in-depth exploration of nutrition and research methodologies (with an emphasis on methods used in clinical nutrition research). Research design, sampling and measurement of study variables related to outcomes research data collection, analysis and computer techniques; evidence analysis and risk adjustment is covered. Qualitative approaches as well as survey research strategies are explored in the examination of the various types of outcomes measured: e.g., clinical, patient or economic. The final products are a doctoral research proposal and approved Institutional Review Board (IRB) application.

NUTR 7482 Clinical Research Seminar (DCN students only)
The focus of this doctoral research seminar will be on the conduct and completion of the outcomes research (OR) study proposed in NUTR 7481. Steps in research process covered by this course include data preparation, collection, analysis, and interpretation, as well as the presentation of the OR project. The final project includes an oral defense of the OR study, and a written manuscript for publication and presentation.

NUTR 7510 Nutrition and Pharmacology
This course focuses on the clinical application of pharmacology in the management of patients, including frequently prescribed drugs in health care practice. The basic principles of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics, along with pertinent physiology and information on dosing schedules, therapeutic effects, and adverse reactions are presented. The course content provides web-based discussions, journal review assignments, and case studies/discussion. Prerequisites: Advanced Clinical Nutrition (NUTR 6601) or approval of advisor and course director.

NUTR 7512 Nutrition and Behavior Management
This course integrates behavioral health issues, cultural considerations, and nutrition counseling. Topics include counseling issues for individuals with eating disorders, obesity, substance abuse and mental health. Approaches to counseling with critiques are included. The impact of ethnicity, gender, and age are explored.

PCAR 7115 Complementary and Alternative Medicine Seminar
This multidisciplinary seminar provides students with a working knowledge about complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and clinical applications for patient/client care and research. Federal regulations, cultural beliefs, scientific research and perceived benefits and risks are explored.

PCAR 7410 Women's Health
This seminar focuses on the unique health concerns of women in prevention and management of diseases including heart disease, osteoporosis and cancer along with health promotion throughout the stages of life. Interdisciplinary health professionals lead the seminar.