COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF PHILADELPHIA

 

Introduction to Nutrition

 

Diet 111- Section 903

Summer, 2004

 

INSTRUCTOR:  

Melissa Altman-Traub MS, RD, LDN

 

OFFICE:

W2-27

 

PHONE:

215-751-8542

 

E MAIL:

Mtraub@ccp.edu

Or ccptraub@aol.com

 

OFFICE HOURS:

Online Monday evenings 8-9pm

 

 

 

Course Catalog Description:

Introduction to the science of nutrition in contemporary society, including: nutrients as a component of food and foundation of life and health; nutrition in life processes; elements of metabolism, energy management and factors that influence food habits. This course is designed for dietetic, nursing, premed, pharmacy and other allied health students.

 

Prerequisite:  Biology 109 and English 101

 

 

Purpose of Course:

            The purpose of this course is to provide the student with an understanding of the nutrients necessary for human life and health.  The course will provide information regarding needs of healthy people throughout the life cycle and includes an emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention.

 

            Knowledge gained in this course will prepare the student to critically evaluate the large volume of nutrition information in today's media.  Knowledge gained in this course will also provide a foundation of information to be integrated into the study of diet in the treatment of specific diseases.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Required Materials: 

 

Cataldo, C., De Bruyne, L. and Whitney, E.  Nutrition and Diet Therapy.  6th ed., Belmont, Ca.: Wadsworth Publishing Co., 2003.

 

Wadsworth Thomson Learning.  CD-ROM, Nutrition Interactive, Version 2.0.

 

ESHA Research.  CD-ROM, Diet Analysis Plus 6.0 for Windows.

 

Course Format:

            This is a distance learning, flexibly paced course which is accessed via the Internet. Please refer also to the Course Format for Frequently Asked Questions about this course.

 

Attendance:

            While there are no in-person meetings for this course, attendance will be taken by the weekly assignments that are due. Students who miss the equivalent of two weeks of class without an acceptable excuse will be dropped by the instructor as in accordance with College policy.

 

Assignments and Project:

Word processed assignments are required and must be submitted via email in WebStudy according to the directions in the course timeline. One assignment must be submitted on campus as it cannot be emailed. Do not submit any other assignments on campus as they will not be picked up until next semester. Follow the directions on the timeline regarding the due date for each assignment. Late assignments will be penalized by 15% for each 24 hour day they are late. Assignments are not accepted after 5 days following the due date and will then be counted as a zero.

 

Statement on Plagiarism:

            Plagiarism is the unauthorized use or close imitation of the words and thoughts of another person, and representation of them as one’s own original work.  This could include, but is not limited to, copying information directly from a book, journal, magazine, Web site, or another student.  Modern technology has made plagiarism very easy to do, but it is no more acceptable in academia than it ever was. The Internet also makes it easy for instructors to catch plagariarism. Students suspected of plagiarism may receive a grade of zero on an assignment or exam, and incidents of suspected plagiarism will be reported to College administration. Ensure that all sources used for assignments are referenced appropriately.

Students must do their own work, cheating will not be tolerated. All assignments in this course are individual assignments.

 

Statement on Disability:

            Students who are registered with the Center on Disability must inform the instructor by the end of the first week of classes if special accommodations are requested.

 


Course Goals:

 

1

To demonstrate an understanding that all known nutrients needed to sustain life can be obtained by selecting a variety of foods.

 

2

To develop an understanding of roles of specific nutrients and interrelationships of nutrients in maintaining life, promoting health and preventing disease.

 

3

To demonstrate an understanding of nutrient needs of individuals throughout the life cycle.

 

4

To exhibit basic skill in obtaining dietary intake data and in evaluating dietary intakes.

 

5

To evaluate physiological, psychological, sociological and environmental factors affecting food choices.

 

6

To identify and utilize appropriate resources in processes of assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation.

 

7

To apply principles of good nutrition to own eating behaviors.

 

 

 

Grading:

 

Percent of Grade (%)

Midterm Exam

10

Final Exam

15

Forum Participation  (6 postings, 3% of grade each)

18

Diet Analysis Project (in 3 parts)

25

Homework Assignments (4, 8% of grade each)

32

 

Exams are multiple choice and will be graded numerically. The final exam is not cumulative. The forum questions, homework assignments, and the three part diet analysis project will be graded with letter grades, including plusses and minuses.

 

A

90-100%

B

80-89%

C

70-79%

D

60-69%

F

< 60%

 

 

 

 

 Student Responsibilities:

1.

To “log on” to Web study at least twice a week to check for announcements or changes in the syllabus.  A student who does not log on for 2 consecutive weeks may be dropped from the course (this is consistent with CCP’s attendance policy).

 

2.

To do readings and assignments as outlined in the syllabus, and in accordance with stated due dates.  Assignments received after the due date will be penalized by 20% per day.  Assignments received after the final deadline will not be accepted.  Students who have two or more outstanding assignments (1 week or more past the due date) may be dropped from the course.   

3.

To participate in the Forum by responding to instructor-posted discussion questions and by responding to student postings (for a total of 6 postings). 

 

4.

To notify the instructor if there are technical problems preventing them from logging on to Web Study.

 

6.

To be responsible for meeting the course expectations in an independent manner, and to rely on the instructor for guidance and clarification.

 

7.

To be courteous and respectful in all communications to the instructor and other students.

 

8.

To plan to spend approximately 9-12 hours per week doing the assigned readings and other work for this course.  Some students may need to dedicate more than this amount of time.

 

 

Instructor Responsibilities:

1.

To select reading assignments that clearly present the information the student is responsible for learning in this course.

 

2.

To select activities on the CD-ROM that will reinforce key concepts to be learned in this course.

 

3.

To direct the student to Web sites that will either reinforce important concepts or present an opportunity for the student to expand his/her knowledge on a specific topic.

 

4.

To formulate learning activities that will allow the student to demonstrate an understanding of key concepts in this course.

 

5.

To formulate assignments that allow the student to demonstrate good writing skills and analytical thinking.

 

6.

To formulate discussion questions that will provide a forum for student interaction and that will address either key concepts or areas of controversy in nutrition.

 

7.

To regularly check for student e-mail and other communications (voice mail) from students, generally daily.

8.

To provide timely feedback to students on submitted assignments and exams, generally within one week.

 


 

 

Web Sites of Interest:

 

The following Web sites contain information that is related to the content of this course. Some assignments require visiting these or other Web sites. If you find additional interesting sites while browsing, please share them with the class.

                                                           

The American Dietetic Association

http://www.eatright.org

 

The American Heart Association

http://www.americanheart.org

 

Wadsworth Nutrition Resource Center

http://www.wadsworth.com/nutrition

 

Food and Drug Administration

http://www.fda.gov

 

March of Dimes

http://www.modimes.org

 

National Council Against Health Fraud

http://www.ncahf.org

 

Tufts University Nutrition Navigator

http://navigator.tufts.edu

 

Vegetarian Resource Group

http://www.vrg.org

 

United States Government Resources

http://www.nutrition.gov

 

American Diabetes Association

http://www.diabetes.org

 

National Institute of Health 

http://www.nih.gov/

 

National Library of Medicine (Medline)

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed

 

Mayo Clinic Nutrition Center

http://www.mayohealth.org/

 

USDA Food and Nutrition Information Center

www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/

 

 

                       


Course Calendar:

 

Week #

Dates

Topics

Assignments Due

Contact week

5/10-5/16

Orientation Week: Get to Know Web Study

Why We Eat What We Eat

 

Self-assessment; Forum introduction

1

5/17-5/23

Nutrition Standards and Guidelines

Digestion and Absorption

 

Forum question

2

5/24-5/30

Evaluating Nutrition Information

Carbohydrates

 

Using the Food Guide Pyramid Assignment

 

3

5/31-6/6

Lipids

Alcohol

 

Diet Analysis Project #1

Forum question

4

6/7-6/13

Protein

Vegetarian Diets

Metabolism and Energy Balance

Midterm Exam (Online) : Wed. 6/7-Fri. 6/9

 

Forum question

5

6/14-6/20

Weight Management

Eating Disorders

 

Diet Analysis Project #2

6

6/21-6/27

Vitamins

Phytochemicals

Nutrient Supplementation

 

Weight loss diet Assignment

Forum question

 

7

6/28-7/4

Water & Minerals

Nutrition Labeling

 

 

Herbal product assignment

Forum question

 

 

8

7/5-7/11

Nutrition for Mothers and Infants

Childhood and Adolescent Nutrition

 

Diet Analysis Project #3

9

7/12-7/18

Nutrition and Fitness

Nutrition for the Older Adult

Food Safety and Consumer Concerns

Lifecycle Case Study Assignment

 

10

7/19- 7/22

Final Exam (online) Mon 7/19-Weds 7/21