Western Nevada College Course Syllabus

Western Nevada College Course Syllabus

Nutrition 205, Spring 2015

Tuesdays 4:00 – 6:45pm

Instructor: Thomas B. Walker, Ph.D.

Office Hours: by request

Course Description: NUTR 205 introduces students to the basic elements of sports nutrition. This course presents the scientific basis of roles played by carbohydrate, fat, protein, water, and key vitamins and minerals as they relate to physical exercise. The course will present information on diets during training, timing and composition of pre- and post-competition meals, and the use of nutritional ergogenic aids. The course will provide practical evidence-based information for the athlete and individuals of all ages wishing to optimize the role of diet and exercise in promoting a healthy and active lifestyle.

Course Objectives:

• Understand the paths of digestion and absorption of macronutrients.
• Identify what the body needs and uses as fuel for energy.
• Identify what substrates are utilized in specific types of physical activity.
• Identify the nutritional requirements for physical activity.
• Understand the relationships between diet and training for optimum performance.
• Understand the impact of nutritionin achievement of optimum weight and performance.
• Determine the effectiveness of nutritional supplements, fad diets, and ergogenic aids.
• Understand the principles of weight management, as it relates to athletic performance.
• Recognize and define eating disorders, particularly as they pertain to athletics.
• Apply nutritional knowledge to enhancement of athlete performance and overall health.

Number of Credits: 3

Transferability of the course in Nevada: This course is designed to apply toward a WNC AA or AAS degree and/or transfer to other schools within the Nevada System of Higher Education, depending on the degree chosen and the other courses completed. For more information about how this course may transfer and apply to your program of study, please contact a school counselor.

Text: Sports and Exercise Nutrition, 4th edition, by McArdle, Katch, & Katch

Accommodations: If you have a disability for which you will need to request accommodations, please contact Susan Trist, Coordinator for Disability Support Services, at 775-445-3268 or as soon as possible to arrange for appropriate accommodations.

Class Policies:

• Punctual attendance is expected and counts towards your semester grade. One absence is permitted. After that, each absence will reduce your semester grade by one point.
• All exam questions will be drawn directly from material covered in class. Students are expected to actively acquire information/notes from all class sessions.
• If you must be late, please enter the classroom as quietly as possible. Tardiness will be reflected in your semester grade (in the attendance/participation portion of your grade.)
• Please turn off and store your cell phone for the entirety of each class.

Academic Integrity: Cheating in any form will not be tolerated. Violators will be immediately withdrawn from the course. Refer to the WNC student handbook for more information.

Student Evaluation:

• Grading Scale:A93 – 100% A-90 – 92%

B+ 87 – 89% B83 – 86%B-80 – 82% C+ 77 – 79% C 73 – 76% C- 70 – 72%

D+67 – 69%D63 – 66%D-60 – 62%

F< 60%

• Scoring

◦Exams #1 & 230% (15% each)

◦Final Exam20%

◦Lab Report05%

◦Project Presentation10%

◦Project Paper10%

◦Attendance/Participation25%

Homework Assignments:

• Week One Email Questions: during week 1, please email me at with three questions you have regarding sports nutrition. These questions will help shape the content of class lectures and discussions.This will count towards your participation grade.
• Anthropometry Lab: we will complete the measurement portion in class. Students will write a report on the lab using the following format: Introduction-Methods-Results-Discussion. Reports should be 3 – 5 pages, double spaced.
• Class Project: each student will select an athlete for whom to do a comprehensive nutritional evaluation and recommendation. The project will consist of both a paper and a 10 minute class presentation. The evaluation should include the athlete’s anthropometrics, sport demands, and current dietary analysis. Recommendations should focus on dietary improvements but may include other relevant advice. There is no minimum or maximum length for the paper.
• Readings: We may have occasional supplemental reading assignments. These are to be read at home and then will be discussed in class.

Class Participation: This class will be highly participatory! We will have frequent class discussions and everyone is expected to participate in them. 25% of your grade will be based on your class participation.

Course Schedule:

Week / Date / Topics / Text Chapters
1 / 1/20/15 / Introduction; Macronutrient Review / 1
2 / 1/27/15 / Macronutrients; Micronutrients / 1 – 2
3 / 2/3/15 / Micronutrients and Water / 2 – 3
4 / 2/10/15 / Exercise Physiology; Bioenergetics / 4 – 6
5 / 2/17/15 / Bioenergetics / 4 - 6
6 / 2/20/15 / EXAM #1
7 / 3/3/15 / Energy Balance and Nutrition for the Active Person / 7
8 / 3/10/15 / Body Composition Assessment with Lab / 13
9 / 3/17/15 / Spring Break – No Class
10 / 3/24/15 / Energy Balance and Nutrition for the Serious Athlete / 8
11 / 3/31/15 / Hydration and Thermoregulation / 10
12 / 4/7/15 / EXAM #2 / 13
13 / 4/14/15 / Chemical Ergogenic Aids / 11
14 / 4/21/15 / Nutritional Ergogenic Aids / 12
15 / 4/28/15 / Class Presentations
16 / 5/5/14 / Weight Control and Eating Disorders in Athletes / 14 – 15
17 / 5/12/14 / FinalEXAM

NOTE: This schedule is tentative and subject to change as the semester progresses.

NUTR 205, Spring 2014, Dr. Walker