Western Nevada College Course Syllabus
Nutrition 205, Spring 2014
Tuesdays 4:00 – 6:45pm
Instructor:
Thomas Walker, Ph.D.
Thomas.walker@wnc.edu
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 nutrition in 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
susan.trist@wnc.edu as soon as possible to arrange for appropriate accommodations.
NUTR 205, Spring 2014, Dr. Walker
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:

A+
B+
C+
D+
F
Scoring
◦ Exams #1 & 2
◦ Final Exam
◦ Lab Report
◦ Project Presentation
◦ Project Paper
◦ Attendance/Participation
97 – 100%
87 – 89%
77 – 79%
67 – 69%
< 60%
A
B
C
D
93 – 96%
83 – 86%
73 – 76%
63 – 66%
ABCD-
90 – 92%
80 – 82%
70 – 72%
60 – 62%
20%
25%
10%
10%
10%
25% (15% attendance, 10% participation)
Homework Assignments:
 Week One Email Questions: during week 1, please email me at thomas.walker@wnc.edu 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.
 Sports Nutrition in the News: each class I'll ask one student to report on a recent media report
regarding sports nutrition. This report will be informal and should only last a few minutes.
When you do your report please turn in to me a one page description of the news item in your
own words. Please include your source in that report. 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.
NUTR 205, Spring 2014, Dr. Walker
Course Schedule:
Week
Date
Topics
Text Chapters
1
1/21/14
Introduction; Macronutrient Review
1
2
1/28/14
Macronutrients; Micronutrients
1–2
3
2/4/14
Micronutrients and Water
2–3
4
2/11/14
Bioenergetics
4–6
5
2/18/14
Bioenergetics
4-6
6
2/25/14
EXAM #1
7
3/4/14
Energy Balance and Nutrition for the Active Person
7
8
3/11/14
Body Composition Assessment with Lab
13
9
3/18/14
Spring Break – No Class
10
3/25/14
Energy Balance and Nutrition for the Serious Athlete
8
11
4/1/14
Hydration and Thermoregulation
10
12
4/8/14
EXAM #2
13
13
4/15/14
Chemical Ergogenic Aids
11
14
4/22/14
Nutritional Ergogenic Aids
12
15
4/29/14
Class Presentations
16
5/6/14
Weight Control and Eating Disorders in Athletes
17
5/13/14
Final EXAM
14 – 15
NOTE: This schedule is tentative and subject to change as the semester progresses.
NUTR 205, Spring 2014, Dr. Walker