NSC 340: Introduction to Diet Therapy
Syllabus - Spring 2013
8:00am - 9:15 am - Tuesdays & Thursdays / C E Chavez Bldg, Rm 111
Instructor Information:
 Instructor: Mary Marian, MS, RD; mmarian@u.arizona.edu (This is the best way to contact me).
 Office Location: 430 Shantz (4th floor); Phone number: 235-6793 (cell phone)
 Office Hours: 10 am – 11:30 am Tu/Th or by appointment
 Teaching assistant: Donella Yoon; djyoon@email.arizona.edu
Description of Course
 Major diseases and corresponding diet therapy
 Nutritional Physiology
Course Objectives and Expected Learning Outcomes:
 Acquire knowledge and skills for applying evidence-based medical nutrition for disease prevention and
treatment.
 Understand the pathophysiology related to discussed medical conditions and determine appropriate evidencebased medical nutrition therapy.
 Complete a nutrition assessment and interpret nutrition assessment data to develop a nutrition prescription
with goals and objectives including dietary and nutrient modifications to promote positive outcomes.
Topics:
Introduction to:
 Nutritional Care Process
 Obesity/weight management
 Cardiovascular Disorders
 Diabetes
 Renal Disease
 Hepatic and Pancreatic Disorders
 Neurologic Disorders
 Cancer
 Musculoskeletal disorders
 Integrative Medicine/Dietary Supplements
Course Methodology:
 Overheads & PowerPoint, web-based programs, case studies and interactive discussions will be used to
enhance the learning process.
Teaching Format:
 Lecture activities
 Case Studies and Nutrition Care Assignment
 Exam reviews and Discussion
Required Texts:
 All notes for lectures (PPT and supplement materials/readings) are available on the course D2L website.
 Nutrition Therapy & Pathophysiology; Nelms M, Sucher KP, Lacey K, Roth SL (eds). Wadsworth Cengage
Learning.
Revised January 2013
pg. 1 (340)












Recommended Websites:
http://www.usda.gov (United States Department of Agriculture)
http://www.eatright.org (American Dietetic Association)
o www.adaevidencelibrary.com
o www.eatright.org.ealtutorial
http://www.fda.gov (Food and Drug Administration)
http://www.healthlinkalberta.ca/Topic.asp?GUID={3E3E8DBF-1CCD-442B-ACF2-3C867FFC043B}(quick
reference for DRIs)
www.mypyramid.gov (Healthy Eating Index)
http://www.diabetes.org (American Diabetes Association)
http://www.americanheart.org (American Heart Association)
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/dash/ (DASH diet)
http://www.cancer.org (American Cancer Society)
http://www.aicr.org (American Institute for Cancer Research)
http://www.kidney.org (National Kidney Foundation)
Required or Special Materials
Calculator, PowerPoint software, internet access
Required/Recommended Knowledge:
 NSC 301 – Nutrition in the Lifecycle;
 NSC 308 – Nutrition and Metabolism
 Concurrent Enrollment or Completed Biochem 400 level and Human Physiology
 You are responsible for the information provided in these required courses, this class builds on such
information and moves rapidly. Examples of what you need to know to get through this class: Krebs cycle,
protein metabolism, role of vitamins in the energy cycles, basic nutrition for infants, and general nutritional
requirements of the elderly. If you do not have basic knowledge of these concepts, this class will be difficult
for you, withdraw now.
Grading Policy:
 Case Studies (print out from d2l and submit paper assignment: due in class on due date. Assignments can
always be turned in early.
 Examinations I and II
 Final Exam (non-cumulative)
 Examinations include both multiple-choice questions and case studies. Bring a pencil to class on exam day –
scantrons are used; case studies can be answered directly on the exam. All reading materials are fair game
for examinations.
 There will be 10 random essay in-class quizzes. Students will be allowed to work together however, notes or
other materials cannot be utilized. Only Dean’s excuses will be accepted for missing class.
 An incomplete grade will only be given when there are extenuating circumstances at the discretion of the
Instructor; 80% of the course assignments/exams must have been completed.
 If you have any questions regarding grades or assignments OR want to make-up missing assignments
(that you received permission to make-up), these must be addressed within 2 weeks of the assignment,
exam, quiz, etc.
Late Work Policy:
 No late work will be accepted unless the student receives written prior approval from the course instructor.
Students should contact the course instructor via email with a request for late work. The instructor will
provide email response indicating whether the request has been approved as the revised due date if indicated.

Make-up Examination Policy:
Students are expected to take all examinations for this class during the designated examination periods
Revised January 2013
pg. 2 (340)
specified on the course syllabus.



Make-up examinations are only possible with authorized approval from the course director and require an
emergency circumstance. Any medical rationale for missing an exam must be accompanied by written
notification from a medical doctor.
All make-up examinations will be administered in the instructor’s office and will be in essay format.
There is no make-up for missing in-class quizzes.
Attendance Policy:
 Students are expected to attend all classes in order to perform quality work for this course. Information
provided during class time will be critical to successful completion of all assignments. All holidays or special
events observed by organized religions will be honored for those students who show affiliation with that
particular religion. Absences pre-approved by the UA Dean of Students (or Dean designee) will be honored.
Assignments/Testing Schedule/Due Dates:
 Assignments:
o Nutrition Assessment
o Cardiovascular Case Study
o Diabetes Diet Case Study
o Renal Case Study
o Neoplastic Case Study
 Exams I, II and Final
 In-class essay quizzes (10 @ 5 points each)
 Total Possible Points for semester grade
Due Dates
January 29
February 14
February 26
March 26
April 11
Possible Points
100
50
50
50
50
100 each
50
650 points
Course Schedule:
DATE
Jan. 10
Jan. 15
Jan. 17
Jan. 22
Jan. 24
Jan. 29
Jan. 31
Feb. 5
Feb. 7
Feb. 12
Feb. 14
Feb. 19
Feb. 21
Feb. 26
Feb. 28
March 5
March 7
March 9-17
March 19
TOPIC
Orientation and Introduction
Lecture: Nutrition Care Process/Nutrition Assessment
Nutrition Assessment continued
Nutrition Diagnosis & Intervention, Monitoring & Evaluation
Nutrition Support – Enteral & Parenteral Nutrition
Nutrition Assessment Case Study in-class review
Obesity: Energy Balance & Body Weight
Nutrition Assessment Assignment Due in class
Exam 1 review
Exam 1
Diseases of the Cardiovascular System
CVD, HTN, Heart Failure continues
Diabetes – Endocrine System
CVD Case Study due
Continue Diabetes – review case study in class
Diseases of the Liver, Gallbladder & Exocrine Pancreas
Continue liver, gallbladder & pancreas Diabetes Case Study due
Diseases of the Renal System
Renal System continued
Renal System continued – review case study
Spring Break
Exam Review
READING (CH)
2&3
3
2&4
5
12
13
13
17; pgs 482-top of 509
16 & 452, 649 & 663-667
16
18
Revised January 2013
pg. 3 (340)
March 21
March 26
March 28
April 2
April 4
April 9
Exam 2
Neoplastic Disease
Neoplastic disease continued
Neoplastic case study review
Neurologic Disorders
Neurologic Disorders continued
Renal case study due
23
20
April 11
Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System Neoplastic Disease case studies due
April 16
April 18
Diseases of the Musculoskeletal system continued
Dietary Supplements
April 23
Dietary Supplements/Complementary Medicine
April 25
April 30
May 9
8am–10am
Complementary Medicine continued
Final Exam review
Final Exam: Neoplastic diseases, Neurologic Disorders, Musculoskeletal
System and Dietary Supplements/Integrative Care
25 – pgs 771-787; 789
(arthritis) - 797
208-211; 209t; 228t-229t;
331-333; 641-644; 719-721;
730-732; 800-802
Assignment Format:
 Case studies and diet calculation assignments vary in format. Specific formatting/content requirements
will be provided in class on the designated diet calculation presentation dates.
Grades:
Your grade will depend on the number of points you earn. Grades will be awarded as follows:
GRADE
A
B
C
D
E
PERCENTAGE REQUIRED
90-100
80-89
70-79
60-69
<59
POINTS REQUIRED
585-650
520-581
455-516
390-451
<386
Any questions regarding grades must be addressed within 2 weeks of receiving your assignment back. Any
inquiries after 2 weeks can be discussed but will not result in any grade changes. Case studies turned in late will
be subjected to a 20% grade reduction per week. Grades such as >69.5-69.99%, >79.5-79.99% and >89.5-89.99%
will be rounded up to the next grade.
Classroom Behavior:
Policy regarding use of cell phones/pagers: The Arizona Board of Regents’ Student Code of Conduct, ABOR
Policy 5-308, prohibits threats of physical harm to any member of the University community, including to one’s
self. See: http://policy.web.arizona.edu/~policy/threaten.shtml. If you need to leave class early, please leave
quietly.
Notification of Objectionable Materials (if applicable):
Warning of course content that may be deemed offensive by some students – Not applicable.
Special Needs and Accommodations Statement:
Students who need special accommodation or services should contact the Disability Resources Center, 1224 East
Lowell Street, Tucson, AZ 85721, (520) 621-3268, FAX (520) 621-9423, email: uadrc@email.arizona.edu,
http://drc.arizona.edu/. You must register and request that the Center or DRC send me official notification of your
Revised January 2013
pg. 4 (340)
accommodations needs as soon as possible. Please plan to meet with me by appointment or during office hours to
discuss accommodations and how my course requirements and activities may impact your ability to fully
participate. The need for accommodations must be documented by the appropriate office.
Student Code of Academic Integrity:
Students are encouraged to share intellectual views and discuss freely the principles and applications of course
materials. However, graded work/exercises must be the product of independent effort unless otherwise instructed.
Students are expected to adhere to the UA Code of Academic Integrity as described in the UA General Catalog.
See: http://w3.arizona.edu/%7Estudpubs/policies/cacaint.htm
Confidentiality of Student Records: http://www.registrar.arizona.edu/ferpa/default.htm
Subject to Change Statement:
Information contained in the course syllabus, other than the grade and absence policy, may be subject to change
with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.
Revised January 2013
pg. 5 (340)