Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Capstone Project II (Face-to-Face)

NFS 6992-01

Course: NFS 6992-01
Credits: 1
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: ASNS
CRN: 10114

Course Description

The capstone seminar consists of a supervised learning experience that enables students to apply knowledge and skills learned. Components of the project include the development of a proposal, completion of fieldwork off-campus, preparation of a capstone portfolio, and a final oral defense. The capstone is designed for the dietetics student to demonstrate the foundational knowledge acquired in the didactic coursework and practical problem-solving and critical thinking. A minimum grade of “B-” or higher must be earned to stay in the Dietetics Program. Dietetic students only (spring).

This seminar emphasizes skills in the conduct and interpretation of nutrition research. Emphasis is given to study design, instrumentation, analysis, and research ethics. Assessment, critical analysis of current research papers in various areas of nutrition and dietetics, identification of a project, and extensive writing are components of this seminar. A minimum grade of “B-” or higher must be earned to stay in the Dietetics Program. Dietetic students only (spring).

Required Texts

There are no required textbook. Primary readings will be provided if necessary. If needed, Lecture Slides, recordings, articles, and all materials can be found in Canvas under the "Modules" section.

Learning Outcomes

Course Outcomes

ACEND Learning Outcomes:

Students will be able to understand and apply the following concepts:

  • Research methodology, interpretation of research literature and integration of research principles into evidence-based practice
  • Communication and documentation skills sufficient for entry into professional practice
After completing the seminar, students who are successful in this class will be able to do the following:

  • Finalize chapters 1, 2, and 3 of your research project. Submit your proposal to the IRB and receive approval. Prepare and start your data collection. 

Course Requirements

This course (seminar) meets on Weds. at NOON. Attendance is required.  No Zoom access to the class is provided. We will not meet every week. This will be communicated in advance.

Accommodations for missing class due to Covid quarantine and sickness will be provided once a “Covid Self Report” is submitted https://www.suu.edu/coronavirus/.Links to an external site.

Most weekly assignments will be on Friday at 5 pm. There may be exceptions to this policy.

Canvas is the where course content, grades, and communication will reside for this course.



 | Class attendance/participation | 100 pts.
 | Code of Ethics Paper | 25 pts.
 | Chapter 2 corrections | 25 pts.
 | Chapter 3 draft | 50 pts.
 | Definitions | 30 pts.
 | Chapter 3 revisions | 50 pts.
 | IRB submission | 50 pts.
 | Chapter 1 draft | 50 pts.
 | Chapter 1 final | 50 pts.
 | Festival of Excellence | 20 pts
 | Total points | 450 pts.

Course Outline

Topics covered and expectations.

  • Introduction to the seminar; code of ethics
  • Discuss your proposed methods
  • Discuss IRB process in Class and submit IRB
  • Individual meetings with the mentor
  • Work and submit on Chapter 1
  • Review and finalize chapter 2
  • Attend Final Oral Presentation of Year 2 students
  • Attend Festival of Excellence 

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

Work turned in late will receive a zero. Most assignment due dates will be Friday at 5 PM. Work that is not legible will receive a ZERO. You are required to TYPE your assignments on a computer. No handwritten assignments will be accepted.

Makeup Work or In-Class Activities: No make-ups without medical or equivalent (e.g., school excused) reasons under extreme circumstances.

In extreme circumstances (e.g., COVID, illness), arrangements for make-up should be made with the instructor within a week of the missed class or exam.

In a school-excused activities, arrangements for making up in-class work must be made prior to the date of absence. According to Policy 6.30, you must inform the instructor of the dates you will miss class due to school-related activities prior to the anticipated absence. For activities whose schedules are known prior to the start of the semester, you must provide the instructors a written schedule during the first week of the semester showing days you expect to miss class. For other university-excused absences, you must provide the instructor with the earliest advanced written notice of the classes you will miss.

School-excused event: In the instance of school related activities, arrangements for making up an exam or assignment must be made prior to the date of absence. According to Policy 6.30 (http://www.suu.edu/pub/policies/pdf/PP630Excused.pdfLinks to an external site.), you must inform the instructor of the dates you will miss class due to the school related activities prior to the anticipated absence. For activities whose schedules are known prior to the start of the semester, you must provide the instructors a written schedule during the first week of the semester showing days you expect to miss class. For other university excused absences, you must provide the instructor the earliest advanced notice of the classes you will miss. You will be responsible for the material you miss during your excused absence.

Attendance Policy

Attendance is not required. Please be ON TIME for class. Being late for class is disruptive and is unacceptable.

Course Fees

NA

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.