The online graduate courses offered are described below and can be taken individually or in a program of studies. Each course offered provides a thorough treatment of the subject presented and often exposes the student to scientifically sound alternative views. In addition, each nutrition course requires a critique and analysis of current nutrition trends which will prepare the student for the important nutrition decisions they will be making in the future. The following course descriptions are only intended to provide a general overview of course content. Each course treats the subject matter in a complete and thorough manner and contains considerably more information than is covered in the course description. The tuition for each course includes the course study guide. The books and videos are purchased separately (ISBN numbers can be obtained from the graduate book list). The student is allowed four months to complete each course. Students are expected to spend a minimum of 45 clock hours in course study/work per semester hour credit.
BIOLOGY
BIO510 Advanced Biochemistry
4 semester hour credits
(Prerequisites: Organic & Biochemistry)
The principles of biochemistry and molecular biology are inherent to the study of nutrition. This course provides further exploration into the biochemical processes essential in disease prevention and treatment with an emphasis on nutrition.
BIO720 Cellular and Molecular Biology
3 semester hour credits
(Prerequisites: Nutritional Biochemistry)
This course reviews the important concepts of Molecular Biology such as the relationship between the molecular structure and function, the dynamic character of cellular organelles, the use of chemical energy in running cellular activities, macromolecular biosynthesis, the diversity at the macromolecular and cellular levels and the mechanisms that regulate cellular activities.
BUSINESS
BUS601 Management of a CAM Practice
3 semester hour credits
This course explores the procedures used by CAM practitioners for establishing and managing their own businesses. Students will examine start-up issues, marketing, legal aspects, finances, and strategies for maintaining a successful practice.
EDUCATION
EDU501 Doctoral Orientation
1 semester hour credit
This short course will prepare students for working within the HUHS online learning system, and will include research resources and plagiarism policies. The student will also learn the history of nutrition.
HEALTH SCIENCES
HEA610 Complementary and Alternative Medicine
3 semester hour credits
This course is designed to provide current and future clinical nutritionists, other healthcare practitioners, students in other healthcare fields, clinical nutrition researchers, and faculty with the tools for appraising and selecting among complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapeutics currently in use in the United States. Students will formulate treatment protocols integrating principles and materials from CAM modalities that enhance treatment outcomes and lower treatment costs.
HEA620 Research in Complementary & Alternative Medicine
3 semester hour credits
This course explores standards of quality in clinical research on complementary and alternative medicine and therapy. Students will review various research methodologies, as well as special issues as they apply to herbal medicine, homeopathy, acupuncture, massage, prayer, and other therapies with the goal of assessing the quality of evidence to determine best option for patient care. Students will also conduct a research project and write a final research report on a CAM topic.
HEA710-716 Special Topics I-VII
21 semester hour credits
These courses should be comprised of topics not normally offered in the curriculum or topics in which students wish to go beyond the scope or limitations of a course. The independent study should not duplicate too closely existing courses and should be comparable in breadth, depth, and intellectual content to similar courses in its discipline.
HEA550 Qualifying Examination
1 semester hour credit
(Prerequisite: Completion of 13 credit hours core courses)
The qualifying examination consists of one paper the student is required to write and one critical evaluation of a scientific paper chosen by faculty. The topics will relate to coursework completed thus far. The qualifying examination must be taken after the completion of the Core Courses. Students must pass this examination to continue in the program.
HEA650 Comprehensive Examination
2 semester hour credits
(Prerequisite: Completion of all doctoral course work)
The comprehensive examination consists of essay questions, research papers, article critiques, or combinations of them specifically designed by the faculty to test each student’s skills and knowledge developed throughout their concentration courses.
HEA850 Capstone Project
12 semester hour credits
(Prerequisite: Comprehension Examination)
The capstone project is the culminating experience of the D.Sc. in Integrative Healthcare degree for both areas of concentration. The capstone project challenges doctoral students to apply the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the program to their professional careers. Students are encouraged to select a research topic of interest that will result in professional growth and career advancement. An applied research project is conducted and presented in the form of a doctoral dissertation. A formal presentation of the project and acceptance by the University are required.
NUTRITIONAL SCIENCES
NUT520 Advanced Nutrition
4 semester hour credits
(Prerequisite: Understanding Nutrition I, Anatomy & Physiology, Organic and Biochemistry)
This course is an assessment of in-depth study of macro- and micro nutrition digestion, including absorption, metabolism, excretion, inter-relationships, and requirements in normal individuals. Effects of processing and technological alterations on nutritional quality of food and the bioavailability of nutrients.
NUT525 Integrative Nutrition
4 semester hour credits
(Prerequisites: Understanding Nutrition I, Anatomy & Physiology, Organic and Biochemistry)
The foundations of integrative nutrition and dietary recommendations are explored from a scientific perspective. The structure of nutrients, related metabolic processes, energy balance, and requirements throughout the life cycle are explored. The effects of food processing and bioavailability are evaluated. Applications from current literature on broad-spectrum nutrition are made based on specific human nutritional needs.
NUT530 Nutrition Assessment
4 semester hour credits
(Prerequisite: Advanced Nutrition)
This course is an assessment of nutritional status of individuals in various stages of the life cycle using dietary, anthropometric, biochemical and clinical assessment. Identification of psychosocial, behavioral and cultural factors influencing food choices is studied in this course.
NUT540 Clinical Nutrition
3 semester hour credits
(Prerequisite: Advanced Nutrition)
This course explores the role of medical nutrition therapy in maintenance of health and treatment of symptoms associated with diet-related diseases. It includes application and integration of basic nutrition principles and assessment.
NUT550 Nutrition Research
4 semester hour credits
(Prerequisite: Statistics)
Students explore the scientific method of inquiry for conducting research. A variety of research designs and statistical tools are reviewed to answer research questions/test hypotheses. A critical review of current scholarly literature; ethical issues in research; and selection of appropriate descriptive, inferential, parametric, and nonparametric statistics are reviewed and applied. Finally, students develop a research proposal on a specific topic in nutrition, health science, or a related field.
NUT555 Research in Integrative Nutrition
4 semester hour credits
(Prerequisite: Statistics)
The scientific method of inquiry for conducting research in areas of integrative nutrition is explored. A variety of research designs and statistical tools are reviewed to answer research questions/test hypotheses. A synthesis of conventional and integrative approaches to nutrition is developed in a critical review of current scholarly literature. Ethical issues in research and the selection of appropriate descriptive, inferential, parametric, and nonparametric statistics are reviewed and applied. Students develop a 3-chapter research proposal on a specific topic in integrative nutrition.
NUT560 Current Trends in Nutrition
3 semester hour credits
(Prerequisite: Advanced Nutrition)
This course is an identification, examination and discussion of current nutrition issues. A critical, objective analysis of selected peer-reviewed nutrition research that provides scientific evidence to take position on the issues is included.
NUT565 Current Trends in Integrative Nutrition
3 semester hour credits
(Prerequisite: Advanced Nutrition)
This course explores the current state and projected future state trends of studies in nutrition in light of integrative approaches to health and wellness. Students will review and interpret scientific literature to examine current trends on specific topics in integrative nutrition. Elements of scholarly articles are critically analyzed as a basis for debate on specific topics. Students will establish and defend their positions using evidence-based sources.
NUT572 Life-Span Nutrition
3 semester hour credits
(Prerequisite: Understanding Nutrition I)
This course is a study of factors influencing nutrient requirements and metabolism in individuals from birth through old age.
NUT574 Community Nutrition
3 semester hour credits
Conduct needs assessment in communities; plan and implement nutrition intervention programs and evaluate their effectiveness. Disseminate nutrition information using effective and appropriate education strategies to promote positive health behaviors of ethnically diverse communities.
NUT576 Food and Culture
3 semester hour credits
This course is an in-depth study of the dietary habits and behaviors of different cultures with specific focus on vegetarian nutrition. It explores factors that influence food selection, the effects of food habits, and the nutritional status and problems unique to specific ethnic groups.
NUT578 Herbal Therapies and Alternative Healing
3 semester hour credits
This course examines identification and critical analyses of medicinal herbs, including their active components, bio-availability, mode of action, effective doses, and safety. Evaluation of health claims associated with herbal supplements. Exploration of the various alternative approaches used to maintain health and prevent chronic disease.
NUT600 Essential Oils
3 Semester hour credits
The scientific, philosophical, and historical bases of essential oil usage and its therapeutic and curative effects within the construct of pharmacology are explored. Students will critically evaluate essential oils for their desirable and undesirable effects as well as safety standards. Students will also create and utilize essential oils, and apply different treatment strategies and protocols with context-specific situations.
NUT630 Capstone Project
3 semester hour credits
The capstone project allows students to conduct an applied research project. Students are encouraged to select work-related projects that are of particular interest to them and that will result in professional growth and benefit the organization.
NUT650 Functional Medicine and Nutrition
3 semester hour credits
Nutrition professionals who have chosen to focus on the management of complex, chronic disease and primary preventive care have not chosen an easy path. This course creates a new road map for improving patient outcomes across a wide range of chronic health conditions. The approaches to disease management and prevention described here represent the evolution of the functional medicine model over more than 20 years, through the voices of leading clinicians and scientists.
NUT703 Antioxidants
3 semester hour credits
The course summarizes a current knowledge of biochemical and clinical aspects of antioxidant molecules and free radicals, highlighting the effects of antioxidants on the aging process and in prevention and/or fighting the progression of diseases associate with oxidative stress such as atherosclerosis, cancer, skin,eye and neurological diseases.The course presents the research findings on some new agents such as caffeic acid and melatonin, and a new study of spices as potent antioxidants with therapeutic potential. The course also emphasizes the value and importance of antioxidants in daily diet and how many health issues are beneficially affected.Students are required to complete comprehensively several research projects that will reinforce important concepts and enhance writing and research skills.
NUT710 Nutritional Medicine I
3 semester hour credits
(Prerequisite: Nutrition Assessment)
This course is designed to provide all healthcare practitioners with scientific evidence for the use of diet, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, essential fatty acids, and other significant natural metabolites (example CoQ10) in the management and treatment of chronic and acute health conditions. Students in this course will learn how four commonly seen, however, frequently missed health disorders set in motion the pathogenesis of most chronic health conditions seen today. Students will examine the importance of the fundamentals of diet, food preparation, and therapeutic nutritional agents, which provide the building blocks for managing and treating acute and chronic health conditions.
NUT711 Nutritional Medicine II
3 semester hour credits
(Prerequisite: Nutritional Medicine I)
This course is designed to provide a foundation for all healthcare practitioners with a scientific background for the use of diet, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, essential fatty acids, and other significant natural metabolites (example CoQ10) in the management and treatment of chronic and acute health conditions. This course is a continuum of Fundamentals of Nutritional Medicine, Part 1. Students in this course will learn several treatment options for cardiovascular disease, pulmonary diseases, intestinal disorders, liver diseases, neurological disorders, psychiatric disorders, rheumatologic and connective tissue disorders, musculoskeletal disorders, renal diseases, urological disorders, endocrine disorders, pediatricdisorders, and genetic disorders.
NUT712 Nutritional Medicine III
3 semester hour credits
(Prerequisite: Nutritional Medicine II)
This course is designed to provide a foundation for all healthcare practitioners with a scientific background for the use of diet, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, essential fatty acids, and other significant natural metabolites (example CoQ10) in the management and treatment of chronic and acute health conditions. This course is a continuum of Fundamentals of Nutritional Medicine, Part 2. Students in this course will learn several treatment options for dermatological diseases, gynecological disorders, pregnancy complications, ophthalmologic conditions, oral diseases, otolaryngological disorders, hematological disorders, infections, diseases, and other miscellaneous conditions. Nutritional influences on various medical modalities such as radiation therapy, surgery, and anesthesiology will also be covered.
NUT720 Nutrigenomics
3 semester hour credits
(Prerequisite: Functional Medicine and Nutrition)
This course examines the role of nutrients in gene expression and the interactions between the diet and genes. The course presents a comprehensive science-based approach to the beneficial effects of dietary compounds on diseases. Advanced analytical techniques applied to current challenges and their solutions are reviewed.
NUT730 Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods
3 semester hour credits
(Prerequisite: Nutrition Assessment)
Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods are an essential component of integrative medicine and modern health care. This course provides a scientific approach to critically analyze health claims and apply current research when making recommendations as a health practitioner.