COURSE SYLLABUS

Introduction to Nutrition

Biology 111

3 credits

Instructor:  Linda Fleming                                                          Spring, 2007

Course prerequisites: High School Biology, Biology 110, or permission of instructor

Course location (building/room number):           online

Meeting time (days/hours):        online

 

Textbooks and other required readings/computer software/materials/library reserve room:

PLEASE NOTE:  It is highly recommended that the required text and Diet Analysis software be purchased at the MxCC bookstore.  These items have been bundled together to assure you have the correct materials for the course.  In the past, there have been numerous problems with getting the correct Diet Analysis software when purchases have been made elsewhere.

NUTRITION- Concepts and Controversies, tenth edition by Sizer and Whitney

Diet Analysis Plus 8.0 Online Version

Office Location: online

Office hours: online

Office Telephone: 860-343-5888 ext 7251

e-mail: lindafleming@snet.net

There is internal email built into the course. Please use that email whenever possible. Use the above email address in an emergency only (for example if WebCTVista is down and you must contact me).

 

Scope of course:

Biology 111 deals with the biology and chemistry of nutrients; how they are metabolized and the role they play in the human body. Topics to be discussed include dietary guidelines and trends, food safety, and labeling. A broad overview of carbohydrates, lipids, protein, vitamins, and minerals will be presented. Also included will be a section on weight control.

 

Course Objectives:

After completing this introductory nutrition course, you will be able to:

·        Interpret what the scientific facts tell us about nutrition and health;

·        Understand why we eat what we eat;

·        Explain the nutrition standards and guidelines;

·        Describe the processes of digestion, absorption, and transport;

·        Describe the major nutrients, vitamins, and minerals and their roles in the body;

·        Understand the concepts of energy balance and weight control;

·        Recognize the relationship between physical fitness, health, and nutrition;

·        Explain the relationship between diet and health

 

Evaluation (exams, term papers, projects,etc., and percentages towards final grades):

Grading will be based on a combination of weekly exams, class participation, diet analysis assignments, and a final exam using the following guidelines:

 

 

Weekly Quizzes:

 

50%  of final grade

Class Participation: 

 

20% of final grade

Diet Analysis:

 

20% of final grade

Final Exam:

 

10% of final grade

 

Weekly quizzes will have no time limit.  You may use any references you like to answer the questions. The reason I have not set time limits on these quizzes is because I would like you to use the text to help you answer the questions and UNDERSTAND the concept rather than just memorize terms without any understanding. Therefore, I encourage you to look at the quiz BEFORE you even read the chapter to see where you should be paying special attention. You can even print it out so you will have it while you are reading the chapter if that is helpful. You may enter the quiz as many times as you like until you click on FINISH (just remember to save questions that you do answer). To receive credit, quizzes MUST be completed during the appropriate session.

 

Class participation will include at least 2 postings per session (although you are certainly welcome to add more!). Your use of critical thinking skills, conducting research on the discussion board question and/or applying knowledge from your readings will be assessed. In addition, please read the replies of other students and reply to at least one other student posting. You must make at least 2 postings per session on 2 different days in order to receive full credit. You will be graded on how completely you answer the assigned discussion question and by the quality of responses to the other postings.  To receive credit for participation, postings MUST be made during the appropriate session. If both postings are made on the same day, you will only receive credit for one. This means you must log on to our course at least twice per session.  See "Assignments" section of the course for more detail.

 

Diet Analysis assignments include a computer analysis of the foods you eat and your analysis of the data generated.  See "Diet Analysis" section of the course for more detail.

 

Final exam will be cumulative for the entire semester.  It will also have no time limit and references may be used to answer questions.

 

Numerical grades and letter equivalents are as follows:

A = 93-100

B =83-86

C =73-76

D = 63-66

A- = 90-92

B-=80-82

C-=70-72

D-= 60-62

B+= 87-89

C+=77-79

D+= 67-69

F = below 60

 

TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE

Note:  For specific assignments and due dates, see "Assignments" section and "Calendar" in the online course.

 

Session 1          1/22-1/28         Chapter 1-       Food Choices and Human Health

Session 2          1/29-2/4           Chapter 2-       Nutrition Tools- Standards and Guidelines

Session 3          2/5-2/11           Chapter 3-       The Remarkable Body

Session 4          2/12-2/18         Chapter 4-       The Carbohydrates: Sugar, Starch, Glycogen

                                                                        and Fiber

Session 5          2/19-2/25         Chapter 5-       The Lipids: Fats, Oils, Phospholipids, and Sterols

Session 6          2/26-3/4           Chapter 6-       The Proteins and Amino Acids

Session 7          3/5-3/11           Chapter 7-       The Vitamins- The Fat-Soluble Vitamins

Session 8          3/12-3/18         Chapter 7-       The Vitamins- The Water-Soluble Vitamins

Session 9          3/26-4/1           Chapter 8-       Water and Minerals- Water and the Major Minerals

Session 10        4/2-4/8             Chapter 8-       Water and Minerals- The Trace Minerals

Session 11        4/9-4/15           Chapter 9-       Energy Balance and Healthy Body Weight

Session 12        4/16-4/22         Chapter 10-     Nutrients, Physical Activity, and the Body’s

Responses

Session 13        4/23-4/29         Chapter 11-     Diet and Health

Session 14        4/30-5/6           Chapter 12-     Food Safety and Food Technology

Session 15        5/4-5/13           Controversy 3- Alcohol and Nutrition: Do the Benefits

                                                            Outweigh the Risks?

Session 16        5/14-5/18         Final Exam

 

Note:  An advantage of online courses is that there is some flexibility around when assignments are completed.  This flexibility, however, does NOT extend past due dates.  Due dates for all assignments are firm.  This is necessary to make sure our discussions and diet analysis assignments are relevant to the topic we covering.  Make sure you check the "Calendar" often to be clear on our schedule.  To view "Calendar" details for a particular day, click on the underlined date.  I suggest logging on to the course several times per week to keep informed.  This approach will help you get the most out of class.  A lively class discussion is both educational and fun.   The more you participate, the more fun we will all have!

 

ADA Accommodations Statement

“Students with physical or learning disabilities who may require accommodations are encouraged to contact the Counseling Office. After disclosing, students are urged to discuss their needs with individual instructors. This should be done at the beginning of each semester. Instructors in conjunction with appropriate college officials will provide assistance and/or accommodations only to those students who have completed this process.”

 

Plagiarism & Academic Honesty Statement

“At Middlesex CTC we expect the highest standards of academic honesty. Academic dishonesty is prohibited in accordance with the Board of Trustees’ Proscribed Conduct Policy in Section 5.2.1 of the Board of Trustees’ Policy Manual. This policy prohibits cheating on examinations, unauthorized collaboration on assignments, unauthorized access to examinations or course materials, plagiarism, and other proscribed activities. Plagiarism is defined as the use of another’s idea(s) or phrase(s) and representing that/those idea(s) as your own, either intentionally or unintentionally.” (Board of Trustees’ Policy 5.2.1)