NEP-202-larsen2-2026-03-03-01-14-24
Title of Course: Modern Concepts in Human Health: Nutrition Science and Policy for Health Professionals
Prefix and Number: NEP 202
Semester and Year: [tbd]
Number of Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: Biology 101, Biology 106, or equivalent
Course Details
Day and Time: [tbd]
Meeting Location: [tbd]
Instructor Contact Information
Instructor Name: Martine Perrigue, PhD, RDN
Instructor Contact Information: [office location, phone, email] [tbd]
Instructor Office Hours: [click here for best practices] [tbd]
TA Name: [tbd]
TA Contact Information: [office location, phone, email]: [tbd]
TA Office Hours: [click here for best practices] [tbd]
Course Description
This course takes a modern approach to the study of human nutrition sciences with topics including concepts and controversies surrounding the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans, lifecycle nutrition, nutrition care and support, Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) including enteral and parenteral support, and management and treatment of nutrition-related diseases. Classical grounding in topics such as nutrient digestion and absorption, and energy and nutrient metabolism, are also covered in this course.
Course Materials
Books: DeBruyne, Linda K., and Kathryn Pinna. Nutrition for Health and Health Care. 8th ed., Cengage, 2023. ISBN: 9780357730317 (eBook is ~$64 from publisher)
Other Materials: Laptop (can be checked out from the WSU library, if needed) and calculator (~$10)
Fees: none
|
Course Learning Outcomes (students will be able to:) |
Activities Supporting the Learning Outcomes | Assessment of the Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| Explain the development and application of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and articulate the importance of each component as it applies to public health and clinical recommendations | Readings, lectures, in-class activities | Activities, exams, case study project |
| Understand and describe lifecycle-specific nutrition concerns, and describe basic recommendations that differ between age groups including pregnancy & lactation, infancy, childhood, and adolescence, and later adulthood with applications in clinical populations | Readings, lectures, in-class activities | Activities, exams, case study project |
| Understand and describe Nutrition Care and Assessment, as directed by a licensed medical professional in a medical setting as Medical Nutrition Therapy, including diet-drug interactions, provision of enteral nutrition support, and provision of parenteral nutrition support |
Readings, lectures, in-class activities |
Activities, exams |
| Understand and describe Medical Nutrition Therapy as provided by a licensed medical professional in a clinical setting for a variety of medical conditions, including metabolic and respiratory stress, upper and lower gastrointestinal disorders, liver disease, cardiovascular disease, renal disease, cancer, and HIV |
Readings, lectures, in-class activities |
Activities, exams |
| Describe digestion, absorption, and function of dietary macronutrients and micronutrients, and explain their function in maintaining healthy human nutrition and in the clinical setting |
Readings, lectures, in-class activities |
Activities, exams |
| Understand foundations of energy balance and weight management, including basic assessment and energy intake recommendations for public health and clinical populations |
Readings, lectures, in-class activities |
Activities, exams, case study project |
| Synthesize course learning in a culminating case study project requiring assessment and application of appropriate recommendations based on individual characteristics |
Readings, lectures, in-class activities |
Case study project |
| Dates | Lesson Topic | Assignment | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Week 1 |
Overview Nutrition & Health Policy: Dietary Guidelines for Americans |
Read Chapter 1 | Activity 1 |
| Week 2 [dates] |
Grains and Fats: Requirements and Public Health Recommendations | Read Chapters 3 and 4 | Activity 3 and 4 |
| Week 3 [dates] |
Protein: Requirements and Public Health Recommendations | Read Chapter 5 | Activity 5 |
| Week 4 [dates] |
Vitamins & Minerals: Requirements and Public Health Recommendations | Read Chapters 8 and 9 | Activity 8 and 9 |
| Week 5 [dates] |
Nutrient Absorption, Mobilization, & Utilization Exam 1 (covers Weeks 1-5) |
Read Chapter 2 | Activity 2 |
| Week 6 [dates] |
Energy Requirements and Public Health Recommendations Clinical Management: Overweight & Obesity |
Read Chapters 6 and 7 | Activity 6 and 7 |
| Week 7 [dates] |
Clinical Management: Nutrition throughout the Lifecycle | Read Chapters 10-12 | Activity 10-12 |
| Week 8 [dates] |
Nutrition Care and Assessment in the Healthcare Setting: The Nutrition Care Process, Anthropometrics, and Laboratory Evaluation | Read Chapter 13 | Activity 13 |
| Week 9 [dates] |
Nutrition Care and Assessment in the Healthcare Setting: Nutrition Intervention & Diet-Drug Interactions Exam 2 (covers Weeks 6-9) |
Read Chapter 14 | Activity 14 |
| Week 10 [dates] |
Medical Nutrition Therapy: Enteral/Parenteral Support + Nutrition & Metabolic and Respiratory Stress | Read Chapters 15 and 16 | Activity 15 and 16 |
| Week 11 [dates] |
Medical Nutrition Therapy: Nutrition & Gastrointestinal Disorders | Read Chapters 17 and 18 | Activity 17 and 18 |
| Week 12 [dates] |
Medical Nutrition Therapy: Nutrition & Liver Disease and Diabetes | Read Chapters 19 and 20 | Activity 19 and 20 |
| Week 13 [dates] |
Medical Nutrition Therapy: Nutrition & Cardiovascular Disease | Read Chapter 21 | Activity 21 |
| Week 14 [dates] |
Medical Nutrition Therapy: Nutrition & Renal Disease, Cancer, and HIV Infection Exam 3 (covers Weeks 10-14) |
Read Chapters 22 and 23 | Activity 22 and 23 |
| Week 15 [dates] |
Case Study Project Presentations | n/a | Presentation |
Expectations for Student Effort
It is WSU policy that for every hour of in-class instruction, or equivalent online instruction, students should expect at least 2 hours of outside class course preparation in the form of reading, course assignments, and review of previous lectures. NEP 101 has 3 lecture hours per week, so students are expected to spend 6 additional hours per week outside of class on assignments, readings, etc.
Grading
| Type of Assignment (tests, papers, etc) | Points | Percent of Overall Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Case Study Project | 100 | 25% |
| Activities (23 x 4 pts each) | 94 | 23.5% |
| Participation (randomly checked) | 6 | 1.5% |
| Exams (4 x 50 pts each) | 200 | 50% |
| Grade | Percent | Grade | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 93-100% | C | 73-76.9% |
| A- | 90-92.9% | C- | 70-72.9% |
| B+ | 87-89.9% | D+ | 67-69.9% |
| B | 83-86.9% | D | 63-66.9% |
| B- | 80-82.9% | F | <63% |
| C+ | 77-79.9% |
This course uses the above grading scale with standard rounding procedures to one decimal place. No exceptions will be made.
Attendance and Make-Up Policy
Students should make all reasonable efforts to attend all class meetings. However, in the event a student is unable to attend a class, it is the responsibility of the student to inform the instructor as soon as possible, explain the reason for the absence (and provide documentation, if appropriate), and make up class work missed within a reasonable amount of time, if allowed. Missing class meetings may result in reducing the overall grade in the class.
Participation points cannot be made up. Missed activities must be completed before the next class session. Exams can only be made up with prior permission from the instructor in advance of the original exam date, with exceptions made for extenuating circumstances at the instructor’s discretion.
Academic Integrity Statement
You are responsible for reading WSU's Academic Integrity Policy, which is based on Washington State law. If you cheat in your work in this class you will:
-Fail the assignment
-Be reported to the Center for Community Standards
-Have the right to appeal my decision
-Not be able to drop the course of withdraw from the course until the appeals process is finished
If you have any questions about what you can and cannot do in this course, ask me.
If you want to ask for a change in my decision about academic integrity, use the form at the Center for Community Standards website. You must submit this request within 21 calendar days of the decision.