The Institute Of Human Nutrition

Courses of Instruction

The academic year is divided into two terms of approximately fifteen weeks each. Each Master's and Ph.D. candidate is assigned an individual faculty adviser in order to provide maximum assistance in course selection, thesis topic determination and supervision, and career guidance. Before the beginning of each term, the student arranges a schedule in consultation with the adviser. In addition, each M.S. candidate is required to spend twelve weeks during the summer on a project approved by the director of the M.S. program; any alternate plan must be completed within one year.

In addition to the core courses, candidates may select graduate courses at the Institute as well as appropriate graduate-level courses from other departments at Columbia Univeristy. The University reserves the right to withdraw or modify the courses of instruction or to change the instructors as necessary. Not all courses or seminars are given every year. To ascertain which courses are being given, consult the Office of Student Affairs of the Institute.

The following courses on nutrition are offered:

Human Nutrition M6110
Nutrition and Health

Nutrients will be discussed in terms of the evidence for their RDAs & RDIs, food sources, bioavailability, nutrient function, policy issues, concrete recommendations on what and how much to consume, and appropriate levels and strategies for intake.

This course will provide participants with the evidence that supports dietary recommendations for promoting health and wellness and a working knowledge of the food choices that will meet those recommendations.

Human Nutrition M6120
Introduction to Epidemiology for Nutritionists

Epidemiology is used to study the distribution and determinants of disease in human populations. Many of these determinants are nutritional. This course will introduce the students to the theory, methodology and terminology used in epidemiology, and provide a brief overview of relevant biostatistics. These topics will be covered with the focus on nutritional examples in current scientific literature.

Human Nutrition M6235
Clinical Nutritional Assessment and Intervention

This is an overview of the practical aspects of nutritional assessment and nutritional intervention. The lectures will cover the problems of malnutrition (both under-nutrition and over-nutrition), nutritional assessment, and the nutritional care process in the community as well as in hospitalized patients.

Human Nutrition M8200
Growth and Development

General aspects of normal human growth and development from the perspectives of physical growth, cellular growth and maturation, and adjustments made at birth; and the impact of altered nutrition on these processes. Also prenatal and postnatal malnutrition; the role of hormones in growth; and relationships between nutrition and disease in such areas as anemia, obesity, infection, and carbohydrate absorption.

Human Nutrition M8201
Readings in human nutrition

In the fall, the course focuses on a review of current literature not covered in other current course offerings. The purpose is to develop in the student a critical approach to the assimilation of scientific information. Student presentations and discussion. In the spring, the course focuses on Obesity: Etiology, Prevention, and Treatment. It examines the current knowledge and controversies involving regulation of weight and energy balance. Interactions between genes and the environment are also considered, as well as clinical implications of our current knowledge.

Human Nutrition M8205
Biochemical and physiological bases of nutrition Part I (Fall Semester)

Aspects of carbohydrate, lipid, protein, and energy metabolism relevant to the understanding of nutrition at cellular and organismal levels. Biochemical and physiological aspects of vitamin and mineral metabolism during both normal conditions and deficiency states. Dietary requirements. Intake, absorption, and transport of nutrients.

Human Nutrition M8205
Biochemical and physiological bases of nutrition Part II (Spring Semester)

(Prerequisite M8205 Part I - unless otherwise approved in writing by course director)

Human Nutrition M8207
Clinical nutrition

Discussion of pathology, symptomatology, and clinical manifestations, with case presentations when possible. Laboratory assessments of each condition. Principles of nutritional intervention for therapy and prevention.

Human Nutrition M8210
Molecular nutrition

The molecular principles that underlie the regulation of gene expression in response to the nutritional status of the organism.

Human Nutrition M8220
Food and nutrition: a public health perspective

An introduction to the problem of food and nutritional diseases from a public health perspective, and the relationship between the determinants of the problems and the programs designed to solve them. Various types of intervention are discussed, with emphasis on the health sector's role.

Human Nutrition M9205
Doctoral seminar in nutrition and related topics

Open only to students at the doctoral level. Each term the students choose a major topic relating to nutrition. Every student conducts at least one seminar on some aspect of this topic.

Human Nutrition M9210
Special studies

Clinical and laboratory projects or field investigation related to nutrition.

Human Nutrition M9750
Thesis research

Open only to students in the Masters Program only. Independent nutrition research arranged in conjunction with one of the faculty. This forms the basis of the M.S. thesis.

Human Nutrition M6220
An overview of foods in nutrition

Lectures and discussions on food composition and chemistry, effects of food processing, dietetics, fad diets, cultural aspects of food selection, federal nutrition programs, and consumer issues.

Human Nutrition M6240
Essentials of nutrition counseling

Introduction to counseling skills, taking dietary histories, using teaching aids, and applying nutritional expertise in various settings. Eight seminars. Field placements of eight clinic hours may be arranged for an additional credit.

Public Health P8622
Community nutrition programs

Community nutrition problems and programs that attempt to ameliorate them. Material includes an analysis of nutrition surveys and other factors affecting food selection in various segments of a community.

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