Nutrition
The Rize Nutrition program equips students with a strong foundation in food science, medical nutrition therapy, and lifecycle health. Designed for flexibility, it prepares graduates for careers in community health, food systems, or graduate study toward becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. The program emphasizes present-day issues and includes interactive labs and practical activities, covering topics like Food Economics and Medical Nutrition Therapy. Students will be prepared for further study and completion of the ACEND Registered Dietitian certification through an accredited graduate program.
Nutrition
Courses
Introduction to Nutrition
The choices we make about food and nutrition shape our health and wellness throughout our lives. This course dives into the factors influencing our dietary choices, from cultural influences to personal tastes. We’ll explore macronutrients, micronutrients, governmental dietary guidelines, and practical assessment tools to design nutrition plans that improve well-being and weight management.
Food Science
Food Science lives at the intersection of culture, health, and innovation. By understanding the composition of foods, we can determine the best methods for their preparation, and how different cooking and preservation techniques affect food quality, safety, and nutritional value. Learn about food categories, such as the role of lactose and casein in dairy, and the science behind various preparation methods.
Food Economics
Food Economics isn't just about numbers—it's about people. Inequalities in our global food system often mirror the broader disparities in society. By understanding these systems, we can bring about transformative change. This course tackles the essentials: preventing food-borne illnesses, mastering procurement, and ensuring production quality. You'll learn the real-world calculations behind food costs and discover how food systems can save lives.
Lifecycle Nutrition I
From preconception to adolescence, nutrition shapes our health trajectories. This course explores how early choices, like breastfeeding or formula feeding, impact a child's development milestones and potential food allergies. As children grow, we'll examine how dietary needs and relationships with food evolve, especially during adolescence. Learn about the pivotal role of nutrition during early life and how it can mold health and self-perception.
Lifecycle Nutrition II
In adulthood, nutritional habits solidify. We'll explore how early adulthood sets foundational food choices, and middle adulthood introduces complexities with work, family, and the onset of chronic diseases. Lastly, we'll explore the challenges faced in geriatric nutrition, including the impacts of polypharmacy. Throughout, a recurring theme will be weight management, emphasizing its role in promoting sustained health and activity.
Medical Nutrition Therapy
Through this course, students will gain insights into how medical and social histories play a crucial role in accurate nutrition diagnoses. The course also highlights various counseling techniques and introduces therapeutic diets tailored to address specific health challenges. Emphasizing the importance of monitoring and evaluating outcomes, this course prepares students for effective and informed interventions.
Student Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
- Articulate and evaluate the complex interplay between nutrition, health, and disease across different life stages, encompassing a wide range of dietary needs, nutritional components, and lifestyle factors.
- Demonstrate proficiency in assessing, planning, and implementing dietary and nutritional interventions, integrating knowledge from food science, medical nutrition therapy, and life cycle nutrition.
- Possess a comprehensive understanding of the modern food system, from its historical underpinnings to current practices in food safety, production, and policy, and be able to assess its impact on individual and community health.
Certifications
- The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) certification is the credential required to become a Registered Dietitian. It validates expertise in nutrition science, medical nutrition therapy, and dietary planning. To earn it, individuals must complete an ACEND-accredited program, a supervised practice experience, and pass the national registration exam administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
Disclosure
This program includes courses delivered online through an institution of the Lower Cost Models Consortium (LCMC), however all academic credit applies toward the degree requirements at your degree-granting institution.
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