Nutritional Science and Dietetics MS Nutritional Science
Program Purpose
The Nutritional Science Master's Program develops informed and productive nutritional scientists who personally and professionally utilize scientifically proven nutrition principles to make meaningful contributions to the discipline, to families, communities, and nations. The human nutrition discipline includes the rigorous, scientifically based study of the processes by which we assimilate nutrients and dietary nutrient factors that influence health and prevent disease. Graduates of the Nutritional Science MS Program will:
- Gain acceptance into health or other professional schools or PhD programs in nutritional science or related disciplines, or obtain professional employment.
- Maintain personal and professional growth through advanced skills acquired for continued acquisition of new scientific knowledge.
Curriculum Structure
Program Purpose
Learning Outcomes
Research Design and Methods
Develop and conduct scientific research using appropriate design and ethical principles.
Critically evaluate, summarize, and present evidence for the role of nutrition in optimizing human health and preventing, managing, or treating chronic diseases.
Learning Outcomes
Research Design and Methods
Develop and conduct scientific research using appropriate design and ethical principles.
Critically evaluate, summarize, and present evidence for the role of nutrition in optimizing human health and preventing, managing, or treating chronic diseases.
Evidence of Learning
The Nutritional Science MS Program uses the following tools to evaluate the accomplishment of learning objectives: instructor assessment at the course level (exams, research papers and participation in class discussions), and evaluation of research experiences (presentations, reports, abstracts, and publications). Assessments of specific course learning outcomes are kept by individual professors.
Direct Measures
- Performance in individual courses emphasizing both advanced applied and experimental nutrition.
- Instructor evaluations of course work, including research papers, written exams, oral presentations, class discussions, IRB and IACUC tutorials, and experimental design.
- Students' written and oral presentations on thesis research and in research meetings.
Indirect Measures
- Applications to and acceptance rates at graduate schools and health professional schools.
- Job placement figures for those graduates seeking employment.
- Post-graduation alumni surveys.
Evidence of Learning
Learning and Teaching Assessment and Improvement
Once each year during the Annual University Conference the NS Graduate Program faculty reviews all of the data generated: The percentage of (1) MS students applying to doctoral or health professional schools who are accepted, and (2) publications arising from MS theses. Recommendations for changes in course purpose, goals, or learning outcomes are agreed upon by NS Graduate Program faculty. Progress on recommended improvements is tracked through regular NS Graduate Program faculty meetings. Recommendations for curricular changes are submitted to the Department Curriculum Committee, which forwards them to the Graduate Curriculum Committee and then the University Graduate Office for Approval.