Course Title: Nutrition

Audience: Third and Fourth year Health Science Students

Instructor: Dr. Jordan Robertson ND

Units: 3

Time: Term 1, Wednesday 8:30-11:30

Office Hours: Wednesdays 11:30-12:30 by appointment only

Contact:

Course Description:

In this course, students will have an opportunity to learn about nutrition and diet from a functional medicine approach. Multiple learning methods will be used including lecture, class activities and term long projects.

The personal project will be the focal point of the course, with students having the opportunity to use an inquiry style approach to their own diet and nutrition. Personal goals will be developed, and tracked through the term. The evaluation of the personal project will include an evaluation of progress, as well as ‘evidence’ for the work on the project itself.

The group project will serve as a medium for students to explore the topics learned in class, as well as an opportunity to look at nutrition for other medical conditions. The project will be completed in groups, and will be evaluated on 2 components (Diet plan, and meal plan)

Learning outcomes:

Review of the nutritional components of diet

Understanding dietary risk factors with respect to disease

Ability to evaluate diet and nutritional status of self and others

Develop skills to search and evaluate literature regarding dietary interventions.

Develop an appreciation for nutrition as an intervention and treatment for disease.

Assessment

Assessment for the course will be based on self-reflection and instructor evaluation of group projects. Details regarding grading will be discussed in the first class.

Group Project (30%)

  • Term long project on the use of diet as a treatment for illness.
  • Final outcomes include
  • A “Diet Prescription” consisting of a written rationale for the suggestions made to the patient population. Written as a literature review/commentary style paper with appropriate references.
  • A “Meal Plan” of 7 days length. This will be a creative exercise to use the knowledge gained from the diet prescription, and will help students learn the challenges of applying research papers to clinical nutrition. **Due November 15 for all groups**
  • Presentation of both components to the class. **November 15 and 22th decided September 13 in class**

Personal Diet Project (40%)

  • Evidence based evaluation of your own diet, term long journals and reflections on diet, health and changes. Final portfolio submission of work for the year.
  • Personal projects are due no later than November 29, 2017.

In-Class Practical Assessment (10%)

  • In class evaluated activity

Nutrition Journal Club participation (20%)

  • Learnlink forum for journal articles, posting and discussion.
  • Posting of 5 articles minimum for the term and commenting on 15.
  • Final self-reflection at end of term commenting on participation, added value and learning achieved through journal club activity. Due December 13, 2017

Participation

  • Students are expected to be present in class, participate online and during group discussions to gain the most from the course.

Class Outline

Wednesday September 6 / Introduction to the course
Introduction to personal project
Research challenges in Nutrition
Lecture 1: Macronutrients and Fuel
September 13 / Form Small Groups and introduce group topics. Choose presentation dates.
Lecture 2: Micronutrients and Functional Food
September 20 / Personal Project Update – Submit personal goals for review
Lecture 3: Prescription Diets
September 27 / Lecture: Nutrition in the field of Fertility and hormone health.
October 4 / Guest Lecture: Fueling the Athlete with Dr. Andrew Krause ND
October 11 / Reading Week
October 18 / Guest Lecture: George Tardik ND Nutrition for weight loss.
Ocrober 25 / Group Meetings with Jordan (8:30-10, 10-11:30)
November 1 / In class group activity – TRIPSE-ish
November 8 / TBD
November 15 / Group 1 and 2 present (90 minutes each)
November 22 / Group 3 present (1/2 class)
Personal Project Working time (1/2 class)
November 29 / Personal Projects Due
December 6 / Final Wrap Up
December 13 / Personal Reflection due on Journal Club participation

**The instructor reserves the right to change the dates of lectures and guests based on the needs and interest of the class, and availability of guests**

ACADEMIC INTEGRETY

You are expected to exhibit honesty and use ethical behaviour in all aspects of the learning process. Academic credentials you earn are rooted in principles of honesty and academic integrity.

Academic dishonesty is to knowingly act or fail to act in a way that results or could result in unearned academic credit or advantage. This behaviour can result in serious consequences, e.g. the grade of zero on an assignment, loss of credit with a notation on the transcript (notation reads: “Grade of F assigned for academic dishonesty”), and/or suspension or expulsion from the university.

It is your responsibility to understand what constitutes academic dishonesty. For information on the various types of academic dishonesty please refer to the Academic Integrity Policy, located at

The following illustrates only three forms of academic dishonesty:

1. Plagiarism, e.g. the submission of work that is not one’s own or for which other credit has been obtained.

2. Improper collaboration in group work.

3. Copying or using unauthorized aids in tests and examinations.

ACADEMIC ACCOMMODATION OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Students who require academic accommodation must contact Student Accessibility Services (SAS) to make arrangements with a Program Coordinator. Academic accommodations must be arranged for each term of study. Student Accessibility Services can be contacted by phone 905-525-9140 ext. 28652 or e-mail . For further information, consult McMaster University’s Policy for Academic Accommodation of Students with Disabilities.