Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

Exploring Culture in Nutrition Lab (Face-to-Face)

NFS 4105-01

Course: NFS 4105-01
Credits: 1
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: Agriculture Sci/Nutritonal Sci
CRN: 30029

Course Description

Lab experiences will accompany and support discussion in NFS 4100 Exploring Culture in Nutrition.  This course involves the study of world food patterns, including food customs of peoples of different ethnic backgrounds. The course includes an emphasis on nutritional significance and surveys the social, economic, religious, and aesthetic aspects of food customs. Additional emphasis will be  on evaluation of standardized recipes, food preparation methods, and safety/sanitation principles and procedures. (Fall) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Co-requisite(s): NFS 4100 Exploring Culture in Nutrition Registration Restriction(s): Human Nutrition - Pre-Dietetics students only

Required Texts

Cultural Foods Lab Manual- purchased from SUU bookstore. 

Learning Outcomes

 IDEA Objectives:
  1. Gain factual knowledge.
  2. Learn fundamental principles, generalizations, and theories.
  3. Acquire an interest in learning more by asking questions and seeking answers.

Course Objectives: The successful student will:
1. Learn basic principles and techniques of food preparation to produce standardized, aesthetically pleasing, and satisfying food. 
2. Understand general culinary terminology. 
3.    Learn appropriate vocabulary for evaluation of food products.
4.    Learn acceptable sanitary standards and procedures for handling food products and understanding the absolute necessity of adherence to these standards.  
5.    Develop and demonstrate team work and presentation skills. 


Course Requirements

Co-requisite with NFS 4100.

Lab Attire: 
 1.  Long (to the knees), white lab coat (lab coat may be purchased  at the SUU Bookstore or online. Lab coats must be cleaned each week to prevent cross-contamination  
 2.  Closed toed-shoes with slip resistant sole required for labs. 
 3.  Hair covering – (provided)  All hair must be covered during labs, including bangs. 
 4.  Hands and arms free of jewelry

Lab Procedures:
  1. You will work in groups during lab time. Working with your lab partner at the end of each class, create a time plan for your assigned recipe(s) for each week. This will be graded as you walk into lab.
  2. Report for lab on time.  Immediately upon entering the lab, put on your lab coat, hair coverings, and then thoroughly wash your hands.  
  3. Be thoroughly familiar with and adhere to appropriate laboratory practices and procedures.  There are inherent risks in any kitchen laboratory situation.  These practices/polices are designed to minimize risks.  Students must take full responsibility for their personal safety in the laboratory.  University policy requires that an instructor or a lab assistant be present in order for students to use equipment in the laboratory; this applies to all labs on campus including the foods lab.  The policy is meant to protect students as well as the equipment in the lab. 
  4. Participate in labs on dates scheduled.  There will be no makeup labs.  Please plan to arrive on time and stay until the lab is complete (including cleanup and lab discussion).  Plan for the full lab time each week.
  5. Tasting and evaluating food products prepared by class members in lab using established standard criteria is part of lab learning and your grade. Lab grade will be docked if food is not tasted. Notify instructor at the beginning of the semester about any food allergies. 
  6. Turn-in lab reports weekly at the start of the following Tuesday class. Lab points will be based on participation, attendance, and following proper procedures.  Points will be subtracted for lack of proper cleanup. No late or makeup labs accepted.
  7. Do not bring children, spouses, roommates, friends, etc. to lab.  Do not plan on letting anyone sample food products after class.  On occasion, there may be food items for you to take home, but this is not routinely the case. 
  8. No cells phones are allowed in lab.  If you have a cell phone, it must be left in your backpack. 
  9. Use only pens on lab report. Sanitize them when entering the kitchen.
  10. Follow sanitation procedures exactly.

Food Handlers Quiz
After watching the series of food handler videos posted on canvas, you must pass the online Food Handlers Quiz posted on canvas. There is a 60 minute time limit during the quiz.   A passing score is defined as a minimum of  22/25 correct.  You may take the quiz multiple times, if necessary, to achieve this passing score.  (There are more than 25 questions in the question bank so you will not get the same questions every time you take the test.)

The due date for the Food Handlers Quiz is indicated on the syllabus and in Canvas.

The Food Handler Quiz will not be accepted late.  More importantly, you cannot participate in lab without passing the Food Handlers Quiz.


Course Outline

Weekly lab reports will be completed after the lab's completion and submitted on Canvas.

Grading

Point Breakdown:
Weekly Lab Reports | 180 points
Attendance  | 120 points
Total points | 300 points

Grading Scale:
(based on percent)

A  > 93 | B   > 83 | C   > 73 | D  > 63
A- > 90 | B-  > 80 | C-  > 70 | D- > 60
B+ > 87 | C+ > 77 | D+ > 67 | F   < 60



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

Late work will be accepted up to 7 days late for a 50% reduction in points.
If you miss a lab, you will need to discuss with instructor to receive instructions for partial credit in a make-up assignment. 

Attendance Policy

Lab performance points will be based on lab reports and the following:
  • Time plan
  • Use of proper sanitation standards and cleanliness
  • Time management
  • Evaluation of products by viewing and tasting of food
  • Technique and ability to follow directions (written and oral)
  • Attitude
  • Attendance and promptness
  • Personal cleanliness

Important Notes:
  • You must pass the food handlers quiz with 22/25 to pass the class and participate in labs. 
  • Being late to lab will result in lost points for that lab (one point per minute late). 
  • If class is missed or not completely attended, the points for the lab will be reduced by 50%. 
  • Lab attendance is very important.  Please do not miss unless contagiously ill. 

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.

Religious / Conscience Belief Accommodation

RELIGIOUS / CONSCIENCE BELIEF ACCOMMODATION: In accordance with SUU Policy 6.7 Student Belief Accommodation, students may request, in writing, that their faculty accommodate their sincerely held religious or conscience beliefs. Students should provide their faculty with sufficient advanced notice, if possible within the first five (5) business days of the semester or session, or thereafter with good cause for requesting an accommodation after the first five (5) business days.

Faculty must provide a schedule accommodation or excuse an absence, in any course, for students to observe or participate in religious holidays or an organized activity conducted under the auspices of the student’s religious tradition or religious organization.

In courses that are required for graduation or for an academic major, a faculty member may accommodate a religious or conscience belief by modifying an assignment or examination if its content conflicts with the student’s belief. Faculty may decline the accommodation if it would fundamentally alter the course requirements. If declined, the student may request review by a neutral arbiter using the Belief Accommodation Request Form: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv&layout_id=5

Questions go to Assistant Provost Jake Johnson at johnsonj@suu.edu.

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.