Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

Medical Nutrition Therapy I (Hybrid)

NFS 6050-70Y

Course: NFS 6050-70Y
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: Agriculture Sci/Nutritonal Sci
CRN: 30030

Course Description

A theoretical and practical base for the nutrition care process, diagnostics, diet modification, and nutritional therapy in a variety of disease states. Will include pathophysiology and medical terminology.  A minimum grade of “B-” or higher must be earned in this course for the Dietetics Program. (Fall) Dietetic students only. 

Hybrid Course:
  • In lieu of Friday face-to-face class:
  • Virtual/Asynchronous: 1 hr/wk
  • Completed via Canvas; content reviewed/discussed during next face-to-face class
  • Canvas requires computer access. SUU Compute
  • Canvas resources:
    • For Passwords or any other computer-related technical support: 435-865-8200
 IT Service Desk (https://www.suu.edu/it/)

Required Texts

Required Text:
Nelms, M., Sucher, K. (2020). Nutrition Therapy and Pathophysiology, 4th ed. Boston, MA: Cengage [ISBN 978-0-357-04171-0]
(Optional) Christianson, E. (2020). Guide to Drug Food Interactions. Monee, IL [ISBN 979-8664938357]
EAL Membership


Learning Outcomes

ACEND Learning Outcomes:
Students will be able to understand and apply the following concepts: 
  • Principles of medical nutrition therapy, the Nutrition Care Process, and clinical workflow elements.
  • Governance of nutrition and dietetics practice, such as the Scope of Practice for the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and the Code of Ethics for the Profession of Nutrition and Dietetics, and interprofessional relationships in various practice settings

  • Communication and documentation skills sufficient for entry into professional practice

  • Continuous quality management of food and nutrition services
  • Pharmacology
  • Research methodology, interpretation of research literature and integration of research principles into evidence-based practice 

  • Nutritional considerations and interventions appropriate for Infants, Children, Adolescents, Adults, Pregnant and Lactating Females, Older Adults, People with Disabilities

  • Nutrition in disease states and conditions: Metabolic Disorders, Musculoskeletal System, Food Allergies, Weight Management, Eating Disorders, Malnutrition

  • Experiential learning through nutrition consulting, trialing modified diet types. 

Course Requirements

ACEND Required Components: 

Students must score 75% or higher on the Assessment Method to be eligible for the DPD Verification. 
Assessment  | Core Knowledge Statement | Assessment Method
KRDN 1.2 | Select and use appropriate current information technologies to locate and apply evidence-based guidelines and protocols. | EAL Modules
Completion of modules, scoring 80% or higher on quiz
KRDN 2.1  | Demonstrate effective and professional oral and written communication and documentation. | MNT Documentation Assignment & Presentation
KRDN 3.1  | Use the Nutrition Care Process and clinical workflow   elements to assess nutritional parameters, diagnose nutrition related problems, determine appropriate nutrition interventions and develop plans to monitor the effectiveness of these interventions. | Cerebral Palsy Case Study 
KRDN 3.4 | Practice routine health screening assessments, including measuring blood pressure and conducting waived point-of-care laboratory testing (such as blood glucose or cholesterol). | Health Screening Procedure and Assessment Quiz (Instructor to observe and sign off on students completion of BG and cholesterol testing during class)

Additional KRDN Covered in this Course: 1.1, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 3.1, 3.3, 4.6, 4.7, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5


Course Outline

Schedule and Class Assignments
Week | Topic (Textbook pgs) | Assignments Required KRDN Assessment: 1.2
1 | Module 1:Introduction to MNT, SOP, SOPP, Interprofessional Coordination | Healthcare Discussion Board
2 | Module 2:Nutrition Screening, Overview NCP, Clinical Assessment, NFPE | NCP Discussion BoardKRDN 3.4 Health Screening Procedure and Assessment QuizNFPE Modules and Lab
3 | Module 3:Medical Documentation | KRDN 2.1 MNT Documentation Assignment
4 | Module 4:Medical Research, Electronic Resources (EAL, NCM) | KRDN 1.2 EAL Modules and NCM Assignment and Literature Critique
5 |  Exam 1 (Modules 1-4)
6 | Module 5: Pharmacology, Drug-Nutrient Interactions | Drug-Nutrient Interactions QuizDrug-Nutrient Mini Case Study
7 | Module 6: Immune SystemFood AllergiesEnergy/Nutrient Needs, all age groups, including Transgender
Malnutrition | Food Allergy In-Class ActivityDiet Prescription for Food Allergy Assignment
Energy/Nutrient Needs Quiz 
8 | Module 7:Disease of Energy Imbalance – Obesity, Malnutrition, Eating Disorders | 
9 | Module 7:Diseases of Energy Imbalance – Obesity, Malnutrition, Eating Disorders | Eating Disorders Case Study 
10 |  Exam 2 (Modules 5-7)
11 | Module 8:Review of Lifecycle Nutrition | Lifecycle Review Assignment
12 | Module 9:MNT in Lifecycle, Pregnancy/Lactation, Breastfeeding Support, Pediatric Nutrition, Nutrition in AgingMetabolic Disorders | 
13 | Module 9:MNT in Lifecycle, Pregnancy/Lactation, Breastfeeding Support, Pediatric Nutrition, Nutrition in AgingMetabolic Disorders | KRDN 3.1 Cerebral Palsy Case Study
14 | Module 10:Diseases of Musculoskeletal SystemMental Health, Developmental Disabilities, Mood/Psychiatric Disorders, Addiction, Alzheimer’s/Dementia | Osteoporosis WorksheetMNT Lifecycle Group Project Presentations
15 | Final Exam (Comprehensive)

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

Assignments will be submitted via Canvas, and must be received by 11:59 pm on the due date. Late assignments will be accepted for 7 days past the due date for a 50% penalty. 
2. Computer problems are not an acceptable excuse for late work. 


Attendance Policy

Attendance points will be given for each class attended. Please inform instructor prior to scheduled class time if you will be missing a class. No make-up attendance points offered. 

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.