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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Undergraduate Research in Human Nutrition Syllabus

NFS 4850-30I

Course: NFS 4850-30I
Credits: 5
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: ASNS
CRN: 30235

Course Description

Undergraduate research course. (As Needed) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): Two upper-division NFS courses and instructor permission Repeatable for Add’l Credit? Yes - Total Credits: 8 Registration Restriction(s): Human Nutrition majors or minors only; Junior or Senior status required

Required Texts

There are no required texts for this class, although certain peer-reviewed articles will be assigned to the student to read (no cost to the student). 

Learning Outcomes

Learning outcomes and objectives:

At the completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1.       Define the “scientific method” and describe how it operates in nutrition-based research.
2.       Construct a testable hypothesis and design appropriate tests and data collection strategies.
3.       Collect high-quality, original data by one or several commonly used methods in the field of nutrition.
4.       Write a coherent scientific report including context, methods, new data, and a discussion.
5.       Present the results of the original research to a broad audience either by poster or oral presentation.

Course Requirements

Grading: (based on percentages)

You will receive a pass/fail grade at the end of the semester based on the criteria outlined below.  Note that a final written report will only be required at the end of your project (generally at end of second semester of research); otherwise a mid-term report is required.

Assessment Criteria                                 Excellent              Good               Satisfactory                 Unsatisfactory

1. Time management                                   3                          2                              1                                       0

2.   Weekly meeting                                      6                          4                              2                                       0

3.   Creativity, initiative                                  6                          4                              2                                       0

4.   Literature                                                 6                          4                              2                                       0

5.   Data collection                                         9                          6                              3                                       0

6.   Draft poster (second half)                         9                          6                              3                                       0

7.   Final poster (second half)                        12                         6                              3                                       0

8.   External presentation (second half)           9                          6                              3                                       0

 
A                       53-60
B                       38-52
C                       19-37
F                       Less than 19 or any unsatisfactory criteria     


Your Time, Involvement, and Efforts

                It is generally the case that “what you put in is what you get out.” It is expected that you will be engaged in the project at an appropriate level (recall that as a rule of thumb, one credit hour is equal to 3 hours of class contact). If you enroll in the project for 1 credit hour, then you are committing to spend an average of 3 hours on the project per week. Some weeks will require more time, others less. Budget your time accordingly. Failure to budget your time wisely usually leads to less-than-beneficial experiences. Attendance at the weekly meeting with your mentor is mandatory.

                You will need a “research notebook” where you will record all your thoughts, plans, and actions related to your research project. The notebook is a vital aspect of scientific research and needs to be treated with the utmost care. If you are prone to losing things, photocopy newly used pages at regular intervals and store them in a safe place. Avoid being sloppy in your note-taking. Take pride in your work.

Course Outline

Regular Progress: The Research Road Map

You may feel uncertain about what to do next.  To help you, the mentor will set several tasks to complete.  To help you, your faculty mentor will assign several tasks to complete.  These tasks will help you progress in your research and will further your understanding of your place and purpose in the project.  These tasks include:

Due date: (set in meeting)

1. Identifying an appropriate research topic                                                        

2.  Developing a testable hypothesis                                                                                                                                                  

3.   Performing background reading and generating a bibliography                                                                                             

4.   Developing a research plan and timetable                                                                                                                                  

5.   Submitting a proposal for funds (if necessary)                                                                                                                          

6.   Presenting preliminary data at weekly meetings                                                                                                                       

7.   Creating a draft of the poster                                                                                                                                                        

8.   Finalizing the poster                                                                                                                                                                       

9.   Presenting at approved meeting and/or conference                                                                                                                  

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

No late work is accepted for assignments. 

Attendance Policy

Attendance is required for all weekly meetings and data collection periods. 

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.