Syllabus
Master of Science in Applied Nutrition
APN 765 Nutrition Therapy for Clinical Practice – Fall 2021
Credits - 3
Description
The epidemiology and etiology of nutrition-related disease will be examined. Dietary, lifestyle and behavior change approaches in chronic disease prevention and management will be emphasized. Disease prevention and management using dietary modification and specialized therapies will be emphasized. Topics include specialized treatment for the critically wounded or ill, nutrition-related disease prevention, nutrition therapies for genetic and chronic disease states and therapeutic approaches to disease management.
Materials
Learning Objectives and Outcomes
Program Objectives
- Develop and utilize nutrition concepts and best-practices for nutrition and health promotion initiatives
- Apply core research principles to measure the nutrition status and environment of individuals and communities
- Develop communications and collaboration strategies with representatives from government, non-profit, community, and business entities regarding nutrition initiatives
- Interpret and modify explanations of complex nutrition concepts for various audiences
- Research, develop and disseminate evidence-based and theory driven educational materials and work-products at an audience appropriate level for topics related to nutrition and health promotion.
Course Outcomes/Objectives
- Make decisions, to identify nutrition related problems and determine nutrition interventions including medical nutrition therapy, disease prevention and health promotion using the nutrition care process.
- Develop interventions to effect change and enhance wellness in diverse individuals and groups taking into account the role of environment, food and lifestyle choices.
Make ethical evidence-based practice decisions informed by critical evaluation of professional literature. - Use current information technologies to locate and apply evidence-based guidelines and protocols, such as the AND Evidence Analysis Library.
- Discuss controversies in the scientific literature related to medical nutrition therapy and implications for clinical practice.
- Conduct, compile, and analyze interview findings of nutrition and nutrition related practitioners in various settings.
Assignments
Key Assessment: Exploring Nutrition-related Settings and Careers through interviewing Nutrition Professionals (in 4 Parts)
The purpose of this assignment is to investigate careers and professional settings through analysis of interviews of 3 various nutrition or nutrition-related professionals. Through this assignment, you will be exposed to various positions in the nutrition field, and identify possible areas of interest as you move forward in your studies and later onto a career. This project is a three-interview series with various practitioners of your choice. You will select professionals who use nutrition therapy in their daily activities.
You will be responsible for identifying practitioners, contacting and scheduling a call or meeting, developing a set of interview questions, and summarizing and analyzing your findings.
You will work on this assignment throughout the course.
This assignment will consist of 4 parts, submitted throughout the course (except for Part 3, Conducting Interviews, which will be done over a number of weeks but interview notes will only be submitted with Part 4, the final summary).
Reflection/e-Portfolio: You will select an artifact from the course to place in your e-portfolio and complete a reflection.
Discussion Board:
In this course, there are weekly discussions.
You will be required to participate in discussions. Initial posts are due on Sundays, and responses are due by Tuesday. If the initial post and response are not submitted within the discussion week you will be given a zero. Posts submitted after the discussion week will not be graded.
Your success in the course relies on robust discussion, critical thinking, and peer-response. Weekly posts responding to prompts posed are meant to facilitate a deeper understanding of the broader themes of the course as well as enrich the readings, handouts, and lectures. Your initial response should be no less than 400 words. Peer-responses should be no less than 200 words and must be thoughtful, contain compliment as well as constructive criticism, and maintain a professional tone.
Furthermore, in regard to all assignments, please observe the following:
- All assignments must be completed using AMA formatting where appropriate.
- All times refer to Eastern Time (ET).
- All questions about assignments, and all questions in general, should be sent through email.
Writing Statement
As professionals in the field, you will consistently be expected to clearly and concisely articulate advanced concepts for diverse audiences at a variety of educational levels.
Graduate students are expected to produce their best quality work, including screening their work prior to submission for clarity, grammatical, spelling, formatting and mechanical issues.
While there is often a portion of each assignment’s rubric dedicated specifically to grammar, spelling, mechanics, and formatting, it is critical to understand that failure to submit work that has been adequately proofed may result in a reduction of points in other areas of the rubric. These may include, but are not limited to metrics rating professionalism or content knowledge and synthesis; work submitted in graduate courses should provide evidence of strategic reading, writing, and academic speaking skills essential for success in the discipline.
Grading Policy
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Grade Breakdown
| Assignment | Points |
|---|---|
| Discussions | 19 |
| Case Studies and Additional Questions | 24 |
| Microbiome Infographic | 6 |
| Formula Recipe Handout | 5 |
| Type 2 Diabetes Education Handout and Video | 5 + 5 |
| Key Assessment: Exploring Nutrition-related Settings and Careers through interviewing Nutrition Professionals (in 4 Parts) | 33 |
| Reflection/ePortfolio | 2 |
| Syllabus Contract | 1 |
| Total | 100 |
Grade Scale
| Grade | Points Grade | Point Average (GPA) |
| A | 94 – 100% | 4.00 |
| A- | 90 – 93% | 3.75 |
| B+ | 87 – 89% | 3.50 |
| B | 84 – 86% | 3.00 |
| B- | 80 – 83% | 2.75 |
| C+ | 77 – 79% | 2.50 |
| C | 74 – 76% | 2.00 |
| C- | 70 – 73% | 1.75 |
| D | 64 – 69% | 1.00 |
| F | 00 – 63% | 0.00 |
Schedule
Weekly Schedule
- Week 1: Aug 25 – Aug 31
- Week 2: Sept 1 – Sept 7
- Week 3: Sept 8 – Sept 14
- Week 4: Sept 15 – Sept 21
- Week 5: Sept 22 – Sept 28
- Week 6: Sept 29 – Oct 5
- Week 7: Oct 6 – Oct 12
- Week 8: Oct 13 – Oct 17
Week One: Course Introduction & Review of the NCP
Weekly Learning Outcomes
- Review and understand the NCP in various disease states and how it will be used in this course.
- Understand the role of cultural competency in healthcare setting
Lectures
Required Readings
See course for additional readings.
Assignments
- No assignments to be submitted in Week 1
- Key Assessment introduced
Discussions
Week Two: Malnutrition in Critically Ill Patients
Weekly Learning Outcomes
- Explain the inflammatory response following critical illness and the metabolic sequellae that accompanies it particularly as it relates to energy and protein metabolism.
- Evaluate the effects of physiologic stress and altered nutrition on body composition.
- Determine appropriate goals for nutrition support using information related to energy expenditure, and protein turnover, and substrate utilization during critical illness.
Lectures
Required Readings
Articles, text, and handouts as assigned
Assignments
- ADIME Case Study 1: Malnutrition in critically ill patient
- Case Study 1: Additional Questions
- Final Assignment Part One: Identifying and Selecting Professionals to Interview
Discussions
Week Three: Modified Diets
Weekly Learning Outcomes
- Design a progression for NG tube transition to PO intake.
- Recommend how and when to utilize modified diets in clinical settings.
- Complete comprehensive nutrition assessment for a case study requiring the tapering of a tube feed and modified diets.
Lectures
Required Readings
Articles, text, and handouts as assigned
Assignments
- ADIME Case Study 2: Oral cancer
- Case Study 2: Additional questions
- Final Assignment Part Two: Interview questions (Submit to discussion forum by Sunday)
Discussions
Week Four: Short Bowel Syndrome in Pediatric Patients
Weekly Learning Outcomes
- Define and differentiate maldigestion and malabsorption.
- Discuss factors that cause maldigestion and malabsorption.
- Describe the clinical manifestations and nutritional management of short bowel syndrome.
Lectures
Required Readings
Articles, text, and handouts as assigned
Assignments
- ADIME Case Study 3: SBS and TPN
- Case Study 3: Additional questions
Discussions
Week Five: Spinal Muscle Atrophy in Pediatric Populations
Weekly Learning Outcomes
- Characterize pediatric spinal muscle atrophy and describe the role of enteral support.
- Develop formula education tools for at-home tube feeding for parents.
- Evaluate cultural relativism in healthcare.
Lectures
Required Readings
Articles, text, and handouts as assigned
Assignments
- ADIME Case Study 4: SMA patient
- Case Study 4: Additional questions
- Formula Recipe Handout
Discussions
Week Six: Liver Disease
Weekly Learning Outcomes
- Develop a comprehensive nutrition assessment and MNT regimen for patient with liver disease.
- Explain the relationship between liver disease and malnutrition.
- Evaluate and characterize complications of liver disease and the role of nutrition.
Lectures
Required Readings
Articles, text, and handouts as assigned
Assignments
- Microbiome Infographic (submitted and shared through discussion forum)
- Case Study 5: Additional Questions
Discussions
Week Seven: MNT in Chronic Age-related Diseases: Type 2 Diabetes
Weekly Learning Outcomes
- Determine the role of nutrition in DM2 disease progression and treatment.
- Evaluate novel educational tools and methods for DM2 nutrition counseling.
- Create an educational handout for a mock patient, newly diagnosed DM2 for patient and their family.
Lectures
Required Readings
Articles, text, and handouts as assigned.
Assignments
- Type 2 Diabetes Education Handouts
- Educational Video
- Final Assignment Part Three: Conducting Interviews (All interviews need to be completed by the end of Week 7)
Discussions
Week Eight: Wrap Up and Final Reflection
Weekly Learning Outcomes
- Complete final assessment interview series,
- Reflect on professional and academic growth throughout the course.
Lectures
Required Readings
Articles, text, and handouts as assigned.
Assignments
- Final Assignment Part Four: Summary and Analysis of the Interview Findings (Submit by Friday)
Discussions
Student Resources
Online Student Support
Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.
Questions? Visit the Student Support Applied Nutrition page
UNE Libraries:
- Library Access for all students: Your library login ID and password are the same as the ones you use to log into Brightspace.
- Applied Nutrition Database
- Library Questions: Ask a librarian or phone library staff at (207) 602-2361 or (207) 221-4330.
UNE Student Academic Success Center
The Student Academic Success Center (SASC) offers a range of services to support your academic achievement, including tutoring, writing support, test prep and studying strategies, learning style consultations, and many online resources. To make an appointment for tutoring, writing support, or a learning specialist consultation, go to une.tutortrac.com. To access our online resources, including links, guides, and video tutorials, please visit:
Information Technology Services (ITS)
- ITS Contact: Toll Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673
Accommodations
Any student who would like to request, or ask any questions regarding, academic adjustments or accommodations must contact the Student Access Center at (207) 221-4438 or pcstudentaccess@une.edu. Student Access Center staff will evaluate the student's documentation and determine eligibility of accommodation(s) through the Student Access Center registration procedure.
Online Peer Support
Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.
Information Technology Services (ITS)
Students should notify their Student Support Specialist and instructor in the event of a problem relating to a course. This notification should occur promptly and proactively to support timely resolution.
ITS Contact: Toll-Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673.
Career Ready Program
The College of Professional Studies supports its online students and alumni in their career journey!
The Career Ready Program provides tools and resources to help students explore and hone in on their career goals, search for jobs, create and improve professional documents, build professional network, learn interview skills, grow as a professional, and more. Come back often, at any time, as you move through your journey from career readiness as a student to career growth, satisfaction, and success as alumni.
Policies
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.
Late Policy
Assignments: Assignments 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 will not be accepted. No assignments 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
8 week: 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.
16 week: 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 Course Withdrawal
Please contact your student support specialist if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. The last day to drop for 100% tuition refund is the 2nd day of the course. Financial Aid charges may still apply. Students using Financial Aid should contact the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from a course.
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:
- Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
- Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
- Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
- Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
- 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.