Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Scientific Foundations of Human Nutrition (Face-to-Face)

NFS 1020-03

Course: NFS 1020-03
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: ASNS
CRN: 30092

Course Description

An introduction to the science of nutrition and the relationship of food intake and health. Nutrient requirements and food selection to meet those requirements are discussed. Students evaluate their own food intake and eating behaviors and learn to be informed consumers of food and nutrition information. A minimum grade of “C” (2.0) or above must be earned in this course before it can be counted in a Human Nutrition major or minor or as a prerequisite for any other nutrition course. (Fall, Spring, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): Intensive English Program majors may not enroll General Education Category: Life Sciences

Required Texts

Free downloadable, OER Textbook from Lane Community College - "Nutrition: Science and Everyday Application"

Learning Outcomes

Essential Learning Outcomes:
  • Critical Thinking: Students will demonstrate disciplined processes of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating nutrition information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action.
  • Lifelong Learning: Students will demonstrate that they possess the skills and dispositions that are necessary for a self-sufficient learner to engage in purposeful, ongoing learning activities with the aim of improving nutrition knowledge, skills and competence.

Course Requirements

Students who are successful in this class will:
  •  increase knowledge of the science of nutrition with a greater understanding of the relationship between food and health
  • become familiar with the nutrient requirements of the human body, factors affecting those requirements, and current advancements being made in this area
  • apply nutrition information by selecting and evaluating a nutritious food intake
  • interpret information on a nutrition label and use this information, along with other nutrition tools, to evaluate diets
  • identify reputable sources of nutrition information and distinguish between reliable and unreliable information

Course Outline

This course will cover the following topics:
  • Nutrition Degrees
  • Basic components of a nutritious dietary pattern and food labels
  • GI Tract
  • Food Safety
  • Carbohydrates, Fats, and Protein
  • Vitamins and Minerals
  • Hydration, Electrolytes, and Blood Pressure
  • Fruits, Vegetables, and Anti Oxidants
  • Bone Health
  • Metabolism and Blood Nutrients
  • Supplements
  • Relationship with Body and Food
  • Disordered Eating and Eating Disorders
  • Physical Activity and Sleep
  • Overview of Lifecycle Nutrition

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Assignments will be submitted through Canvas unless otherwise specified. Late assignments will be accepted for 7 days past the due date for a 20% penalty. After 7 days, late assignments will no longer be accepted. Electronic assignments (submitted in Canvas) are due by 11:59 pm on the date indicated on. It is a good idea to double check that your document successfully uploaded to Canvas before submitting. Computer problems are not an acceptable excuse for late work.
Quizzes and Exams cannot be taken or submitted after the due date.
Mercy Submission
Because I try to be accommodating and understand that “things happen”, I allow ONE “Mercy Submission” for the semester for late assignment submissions or submission errors (not for low scoring assignments, missed quizzes, or missed exams). Submit under the “Mercy Submission” assignment. Your assignments will be temporarily marked with the regular point deductions at the time the assignment is graded; then your grade will be adjusted at the end of the semester. You may make multiple mercy submissions as the semester progresses, but only the last submission will have the grade adjusted. If you do not have a late or missing assignment and don’t use the mercy submission, a few points may be given towards your final grade.
Exam Make-up/Rescheduling
If, for any reason, an exam cannot be taken at the scheduled time, contact the instructor & make alternate arrangements at least one week before the exam. If an exam is not taken without notifying the instructor in advance it cannot be made up.
Communication and Grading Timeframes
It is my intention to respond to emails within 24 hours on weekdays. I will respond to weekend emails on the following Monday. Assignments will be graded within 14 days of submission.

Attendance Policy

Students are expected to attend class in person. This is not an online course.

Grading Scheme

Grading: (based on percentages)

92.51 – 100 = A                         89.51 – < 92.51 = A-                  86.51 – < 89 .51= B+          82.51 – < 86.51 = B 
79.51 – < 82.51 = B-               76.51 – < 79.51 = C+                  72.51 – < 76.51 = C            69.51 – < 72.51 = C-
66.51 – < 69.51 = D+              62.51 – < 66.51 = D                   60 – < 62.51 = D-               <60 and below = F

Grades will not be rounded up at the end of the semester beyond what is shown in the grading scheme above.         

Topic Assignments & Quizzes     180 points
Nutrition Analysis Assignments    160 points
Other possible assignments        Up to 100 points
Exams (4 exams – 1 dropped @ 100 (each) + Final Exam   500 points                              

Extra credit opportunities my come up during the semester at the instructor’s discretion.

PLEASE NOTE:  Final course grade will be available the Wednesday after finals week ends. You may view final grades for all your classes via your SUU Portal.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.