Syllabus

AMA Writing Style Statement

In keeping with the requirements of the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, the American Medical Association (AMA) Manual of Style, 11th edition is the required writing format for this course and is available at both UNE libraries under the title "AMA Manual." Additional support for academic writing and AMA format is provided throughout the coursework as well as at the UNE Portal for Online Students.

Online resources: AMA Style Guide

Turnitin Originality Check and Plagiarism Detection Tool

The College of Professional Studies uses Turnitin to help deter plagiarism and to foster the proper attribution of sources. Turnitin provides comparative reports for submitted assignments that reflect similarities in other written works. This can include, but is not limited to, previously submitted assignments, internet articles, research journals, and academic databases.

Make sure to cite your sources appropriately as well as use your own words in synthesizing information from published literature. Webinars and workshops, included early in your coursework, will help guide best practices in AMA citation and academic writing.

You can learn more about Turnitin in the guide on how to navigate your Similarity Report.

Generative AI Use Statement

Generative AI (GenAI) applications (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, CoPilot, and similar tools) are increasingly used in academic and professional workspaces. In the MSAN program, AI tools may be used in limited and transparent ways that support learning. They may not substitute for independent critical thinking, scientific reasoning, writing, analysis, or demonstration of mastery of course learning outcomes.

The use of AI in academic work falls under the MSAN Academic Integrity policy and must align with our commitment to honest, responsible, and professional scholarship. Additionally, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Code of Ethics spotlights the value of integrity and the ethical principle of behaving in a trustworthy manner. 

Students should always be able to demonstrate the originality of submitted work if improper use of AI is suspected.

In situations where AI tools are used as a resource, students must:

• Ensure that all submitted academic work demonstrates their own learning and mastery of course objectives.
• Acknowledge every instance of AI use in-text at the point where it was used. AI use should not ONLY be listed in the References section. If a paper was run entirely through Grammarly or other AI-related tools, a general acknowledgment is needed.
• Include a brief description of how the AI tool was used, followed by the AI tool name, model/version (if available), manufacturer/owner, and date used in parentheses. Students should consult the AI citation section of the AMA Style Guide for additional details.
• Take full responsibility for the accuracy, interpretation, and conclusions presented in their work.
• Critically evaluate AI output for errors, bias, and potential risks to vulnerable or underrepresented populations.
• Follow any additional course or assignment-specific AI restrictions provided in assignment instructions.
  
  

Failure to acknowledge AI use in submitted work constitutes a violation of academic integrity and will be treated as plagiarism under the MSAN Academic Integrity Policy and Student Handbook.

Penalties for AI misuse will follow the MSAN program’s academic integrity escalation structure. A first offense of academic integrity will result in a zero on the assignment with an opportunity to resubmit resulting in a 20% reduction. A second instance of academic integrity will result in a zero for the assignment/s. A third instance may result in course failure and/or referral for program-level review, which may include dismissal from the program.

Late Policy

Assignments and Quizzes: Assignments or quizzes submitted after the due date and time will receive a deduction of 10% of the total possible grade for each day it is late. After three days, the assignment or quiz will not be accepted. No assignments or quizzes will be accepted after the course ends.

Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, acceptance of the discussion board is at the discretion of the faculty. Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded (does not apply to practicum).

Students are encouraged to make every effort ahead of time to contact their instructor and their student support specialist if they are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.

Technology Requirements

Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Graduate Programs: Technical Requirements

Course Evaluation Policy

Course surveys are one of the most important tools that University of New England uses for evaluating the quality of your education, and for providing meaningful feedback to instructors on their teaching. In order to assure that the feedback is both comprehensive and precise, we need to receive it from each student for each course. Evaluation access is distributed via UNE email at the beginning of the last week of the course.

Attendance Policy

6- to 8-week courses: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Sunday at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.

10+ -week courses: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Friday at 11:59 pm ET of the second week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.

Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures

The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.

UNE Online Student Handbook

UNE Course Withdrawal

Please contact your Enrollment and Retention Counselor if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. Tuition charges may still apply. Students are strongly urged to consult with Student Financial Services, as course withdrawals may affect financial aid or Veterans benefits.

Academic Integrity

The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit UNE Plagiarism Policies.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:

1. Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
2. Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
3. Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
4. Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
5. Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.

Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.