Master of Science in Human Nutrition
About the Program
Master of Science: 45.0 quarter credits
The human nutrition major is concerned with normal and therapeutic nutrition for individuals and groups. This major also encompasses nutrition science, the application of the principles of biochemistry, physiology, and biology to human nutritional needs. Current research in human nutrition includes food preference and nutrition, nutrition assessment, and effectiveness of nutrition education (particularly by the use of multimedia) on health and eating habits. Current research in nutrition science includes physiological and genetic determinants of obesity, lipid metabolism, neutraceuticals, and diet-endocrine interrelationships.
Graduate study in human nutrition is offered on both a full-time and part-time basis. Soon after matriculation students consult with their advisors and complete a plan of study. All students are expected to file a plan of study with the graduate advisor before the end of their third term of matriculation. In addition to the core curriculum students select specialty courses relating to their major, as well as electives.
Visit the College's MS in Human Nutrition web page for more information.
Program Prerequisites
The program’s approach to graduate study in Human Nutrition is quantitative; therefore, applicants should have demonstrated competency in the coursework or its equivalent listed below.
Applying to the MS in Human Nutrition with Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) program requires special planning. Students are admitted only in the Fall term. The first consideration before submitting an application is whether all prerequisites have been met. Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible so that transcripts can be reviewed and prerequisites determined.
- 1 year English composition and/or literature
- 1 semester general biology with lab to include cells and genetics
- 1 - 2 semesters general chemistry with lab
- 1 semester organic chemistry with lab
- 1 semester biochemistry with lab
- 1 semester human physiology with lab or 2 semesters anatomy & physiology with lab
- 1 semester basic food preparation (DPD track only)
- 1 semester quantity foods (DPD track only)
- 1 semester general psychology
- 1 semester statistic
- 1 semester nutrition
Degree Requirements
Students are required to complete 21.0 credits of CORE courses and then select 24.0 credits of electives chosen from courses currently offered in Biology, Nutrition, Food Science, Environmental Science or Public Health after consulting with their advisor. Those students choosing the thesis option substitute 6 credits of research for two elective courses. Those students choosing the non-thesis option are required to pass a comprehensive exam before being granted their MS
| Required Courses | ||
| BIO 610 | Biochemistry of Metabolism | 3.0 |
| BIO 641 | Data Analysis in Biosciences | 3.0 |
| NFS 530 | Macronutrient Metabolism | 3.0 |
| NFS 531 | Micronutrient Metabolism | 3.0 |
| NFS 601 | Research Methods | 3.0 |
| NFS 629 | Readings in Nutrition Science | 3.0 |
| BIO 679 | Issues in Scientific Research | 3.0 |
| Nutrition Science Electives | 9.0 | |
| Select three of the following: | ||
| Nutritional Assessment | ||
| Nutrition in Critical Care | ||
| Nutrition Counseling | ||
| Women's Issues in Nutrition | ||
| Nutrition of the Schoolchild | ||
| Nutrition in Later Maturity | ||
| Community Nutrition | ||
| Methods of Teaching Dietetics | ||
| Weight Management and Eating Disorders | ||
| Electives | 15.0 | |
| In consultation with their graduate advisory committee or graduate advisor, students select electives from departmental or related course offerings. Some examples include the following: | ||
| Select five of the following: | ||
| Medical Microbiology | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Pharmacogenomics | ||
| Food Chemistry | ||
| Epidemiology | ||
| Principles of Toxicology I | ||
| Thesis Option | ||
| Students selecting the thesis option may include up to 6 credits of NFS 997 Research in Nutrition and Food Sciences among their electives. | ||
| Non-thesis Option | ||
| Students selecting the non-thesis option are required to pass a written comprehensive examination. Students electing the non-thesis option may include up to 3 credits of NFS 997 Research in Nutritional and Food Sciences among their electives. | ||
| Total Credits | 45.0 | |
MS in Human Nutrition with Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)
The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) provides the coursework that is required to become a Registered Dietitian. Students who want to become a Registered Dietitian must successfully complete coursework approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetics Association (ADA). Drexel University is one of the first universities in the country to offer the DPD program on the graduate level.
The MS in Human Nutrition with the DPD option is a full- or part-time program with courses offered in the evening. The program is 45 credits with a written comprehensive exam and may be completed in 2 years with full-time study.
After completing the MS in Human Nutrition, students participating in this program will also receive a Verification Statement which shows successful completion of the DPD.
| Required Courses | ||
| FDSC 506 | Food Composition & Behavior | 3.0 |
| NFS 530 | Macronutrient Metabolism | 3.0 |
| NFS 531 | Micronutrient Metabolism | 3.0 |
| NFS 543 | Medical Nutrition Therapy I | 3.0 |
| NFS 544 | Medical Nutrition Therapy II | 3.0 |
| NFS 546 | World Nutrition | 3.0 |
| NFS 545 | Nutrition in Critical Care | 3.0 |
| NFS 601 | Research Methods | 3.0 |
| NFS 630 | Nutrition Counseling | 3.0 |
| NFS 680 | Special Topics (Dietetics Seminar) | 3.0 |
| NFS 680 | Special Topics (Nutritional Assessment Through Lifespan) | 3.0 |
| NFS 680 | Special Topics (Systems Management ) | 3.0 |
| NFS 690 | Community Nutrition | 3.0 |
| NFS 849 | Readings in Therapeutic Nutrition | 3.0 |
| Elective | 3.0 | |
| Total Credits | 45.0 | |
Courses
NFS 525 Nutritional Assessment Through the Life Cycle 3.0 Credits
This course is designed to introduce students to and provide hands-on experience with the four primary methods of nutritional assessment: dietary, anthropometric, laboratory, and clinical assessment. Assessment methodology appropriate to each stage of the life cycle, including infants, children, adolescents, adults and elderly, will be used.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
NFS 530 Macronutrient Metabolism 3.0 Credits
Covers absorption, utilization, digestion, storage, and excretion of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
NFS 531 Micronutrient Metabolism 3.0 Credits
Covers absorption, utilization, digestion, storage, and excretion of vitamins, macrominerals, and microminerals.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
NFS 543 Medical Nutrition Therapy I 3.0 Credits
In-depth coverage of nutrition assessment and the Nutrition Care Process. Pathophysiology of selected acute & chronic disease states and their associated medial problems, with focus on using the Nutrition Care Process to meet the medical nutrition needs of patients.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: NFS 525 [Min Grade: C] and BIO 610 [Min Grade: C]
NFS 544 Medical Nutrition Therapy II 3.0 Credits
Pathophysiology of selected acute & chronic disease states and their associated medical problems, with focus on using the Nutrition Care Process to meet the medical nutrition needs of patients.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: NFS 543 [Min Grade: C]
NFS 545 Nutrition in Critical Care 3.0 Credits
Pathophysiology of selected critical care conditions and their associated medial problems, and the use of the Nutrition Care Process to meet the medical nutrition needs of patients. Also covers nutrition support including use of enteral and parenteral nutrition.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: NFS 544 [Min Grade: C]
NFS 546 World Nutrition 3.0 Credits
Discusses the nutritional status of peoples in various parts of the world, the incidence and treatment of deficiency diseases, problems of the food supply and efforts to improve it, and other timely aspects of this comprehensive problem.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
NFS 550 Foodservice Systems Management 3.0 Credits
In-depth treatment of food purchasing, financial management of foodservices, cost controls, marketing in foodservice, equipment layout and design, and management/leadership theories and applications.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Can enroll if major is HNUT.
NFS 601 Research Methods 3.0 Credits
Covers current techniques and evaluation methods for human nutrition research. Focuses on human subject aspects and critique of the literature.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
NFS 602 Methods of Nutrition Research 3.0 Credits
Laboratory methods current in nutrition research techniques. The emphasis will be on methods of instrumental analysis.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
NFS 629 Readings in Nutrition Science 3.0 Credits
Covers advanced nutritional aspects of selected subjects in metabolism via an in-depth survey of current research literature in the field.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
NFS 630 Nutrition Counseling 3.0 Credits
Emphasizes nutrition counseling techniques for use with individuals and small groups, including development of nutrition education materials as well as verbal and non verbal communication skills.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
NFS 634 Women's Issues in Nutrition 3.0 Credits
Deals with the interface between nutrition, medicine, psychology, sociology, and anthropology as it relates to the female life cycle. Emphasizes pregnancy, lactation, maternal obesity, eating disorders, menopause, and society's roles for women in relation to food.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
NFS 640 Nutrition of the Schoolchild 3.0 Credits
Covers normal growth patterns and nutrition requirements for children of school age (K to 12). Stresses nutritional problems of schoolchildren, attitudes toward food, the role of the school lunch in nutrition, and evaluation of school lunches in relation to total nutritive needs.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
NFS 641 Nutrition in Later Maturity 3.0 Credits
Considers physiologic changes and nutritional requirements in later maturity and applications to dietary planning in the home and in the institution. Stresses economic, management, and community resources for meeting dietary needs and special nutrition problems of the elderly.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
NFS 680 Special Topics 0.5-9.0 Credits
Covers selected topics of study in the field of nutrition and food.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
NFS 690 Community Nutrition 3.0 Credits
Surveys nutrition services of city, state, and national organizations. Develops suggestions for the development of a community program with appropriate educational methods and illustrative materials.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
NFS 695 Nutrition Education in K-12 3.0 Credits
Curriculum development for nutrition and food study in elementary and secondary schools; instructional materials; methods of teaching.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
NFS 696 Methods of Teaching Dietetics 3.0 Credits
Analyzes teaching situations in dietetics, including development of educational programs and instructional methods and materials for implementation in a clinical or management dietetics setting.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
NFS 732 Weight Management and Eating Disorders 3.0 Credits
Investigate current aspects of the treatment of obesity and eating disorders through nutrition therapy by studying research from medical science, nutrition knowledge, and dietary modalities.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
NFS 799 Independent Study 12.0 Credits
Provides an independent study in human nutrition.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
NFS 849 Readings in Therapeutic Nutrition 3.0 Credits
Covers current literature pertaining to nutrition in various conditions such as malabsorption, inborn errors of metabolism, diabetes mellitus, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, diseases of the liver, and surgical conditions. Discusses nutrition assessment and parenteral and enteral nutrition.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
NFS 997 Research 1.0-12.0 Credit
Requires students, in consultation with an appropriate faculty adviser, to identify a specific food and/or nutrition problem area of mutual interest, carefully document its background, and present research reports for study. All thesis students use this number. May be repeated for credit.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
