The Master of Science (M.Ed.) with a concentration in Food and Nutrition, specialization in Nutrition Science and Information requires a core of advanced study that integrates nutrition science, biochemistry and research with applied nutrition and dietetics. The specialization Nutrition Science and Informatics is designed for:
• the Registered Dietitian
• those who have a current verification statement indicating completion of Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) requirements
• those who wish to fulfill the academic requirements (DPD) for becoming a Registered Dietitian. (See “Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) Registration Information” concerning the supervised practice requirement.) This specialization combines advanced study of nutrition science and nutrition informatics with the development of skills to incorporate computer applications in food and nutrition. Media technologies are utilized to develop educational programs and materials.
Application Deadline
Students who need to fulfill the undergraduate prerequisites and plan to begin their studies in the fall semester must submit a complete application by January 1st to be admitted by February 1st of the preceding academic year in order to register for certain laboratory courses, although availability of seats cannot be guaranteed in advance. Students admitted after February 1st may still begin their studies in the fall if seats are available in required undergraduate prerequisite courses. Other applications are accepted on a rolling admission basis.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the program is a competitive process. Individuals possessing a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution are eligible to apply for admission. Applicants are evaluated based on numerous factors including previous college course work; Graduate Record Examination scores; letters of recommendation; and personal statement. The personal statement describes the applicant’s goals and reasons for applying to the graduate program.
1. Applicants must have earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university
a. Applicants are required to possess an overall undergraduate grade point average (QPA) of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale including acceptable grades in science courses.
b. Courses in Human Anatomy and Physiology, Biochemistry, and Biostatistics must have been successfully completed within the last five years. Students may inquire about challenge exams.
c. Students who wish to fulfill the academic requirements (DPD) for becoming a Registered Dietitian and who have not yet completed prerequisite courses in their undergraduate curriculum are encouraged to apply. Your advisor will create a plan of study which integrates prerequisite courses and graduate courses once designated prerequisite courses are completed. Students must earn a grade of B- (2.70) or better in each prerequisite course and an overall average of B (3.00).
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d. Students who do not fulfill the QPA requirement, but have a minimum QPA of 2.70 on a 4.00 scale and a satisfactory GRE score will be considered for admission after they complete two prerequisite courses at Framingham State University. These courses must have prior approval and must be completed with a grade of B or better.
2. Applicants must submit official test score reports from the Graduate Record Exam General Test (GRE) which includes verbal and quantitative reasoning and analytical writing.
3. Applicants must provide two letters of recommendation from professors, supervisors, and/or colleagues, submitted on the Framingham State University Letter of Recommendation form and sent directly to the University by the recommender.
4. Applicants must submit a typed, 300-word personal statement discussing their motivation for seeking a master’s degree in view of prior formal, education, current job responsibilities and career plans.
5. A laptop computer with Internet access and Windows XP or Vista or above is required in most graduate courses. Framingham State University offers a purchase program. The admissions committee will begin review of applicant materials upon receipt of all required documents. Complete applications include: application form, two current letters of recommendation, GRE test scores, 300- word personal statement, and all official undergraduate transcript(s).
Program Requirements
The program requires a minimum of ten (10) courses: four (4) core courses and six (6) concentration and elective courses, together with undergraduate prerequisite courses required for students without appropriate academic backgrounds. A minimum of ten (10) courses is required for graduation. An oral comprehensive examination is required as the student’s culminating experience.
Undergraduate Prerequisite Courses
MATH 208 Biostatistics (not required for students having had an acceptable statistics course within the last five years)
Undergraduate courses in Human Anatomy and Physiology and in Biochemistry must have been successfully completed within the last five years. Students may inquire about challenge exams; students have only one opportunity to take and pass the examination. Registered Dietitians have no other undergraduate course prerequisites. Students who provide a current ACEND Verification Form indicating completion of the Didactic Program in Dietetics may have some program core and/or concentration courses waived. Students are required to select additional graduate elective courses to replace any of the waived courses. Those who wish to fulfill the academic requirements (DPD) for becoming a Registered Dietitian should consult the undergraduate prerequisite courses listed under the Coordinated Program in Dietetics specialization.
Concentration Core Courses (4)
NUTR 874 Human Nutrition Science*
NUTR 903 Advanced Nutrition and Metabolism
NUTR 911 Research Methods in Nutrition and Education NUTR 980 Seminar in Food and Nutrition
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Specialization Courses (4)
NUTR 879 Computer Application in Nutrition* OR NUED 970 Computers in Nutrition Education NUTR 918 Nutrition Informatics
NUTR 973 Designing Nutrition Education Programs and Curricula NUTR 993 Independent Projects in Health and Wellness
Specialization Electives (2)
Elective courses will not be offered each semester and may not be offered every year. Elective courses require written approval from the student’s advisor.
Choose one (1) nutrition elective:
NUTR 883 Medical Nutrition Therapy * NUTR 920 Pediatric Nutrition
NUTR 940 Geriatric Nutrition: Diet, Functionality, and Disease NUTR 960 Sports Nutrition
NUTR 978 Public Health Nutrition Choose one (1) additional electives below:
CHEM 805 Food Analysis
CHEM 808 Food Chemistry
CPSY 911 Orientation to Counseling Practice
NUTR 882 Management of Food and Nutrition Services* NUTR 883 Medical Nutrition Therapy*
NUTR 884 Foodservice Systems*
NUTR 909 Directed Study in Food and Nutrition NUTR 918 Nutrition Informatics
NUTR 920 Pediatric Nutrition
NUTR 940 Diet, Functionality and Disease NUTR 960 Sports Nutrition
NUTR 978 Public Health Nutrition
*Denotes course required to meet the Didactic Program in Dietetics
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Registration Information
Students seeking eligibility for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) examination for becoming a Registered Dietitian must complete the academic requirements for the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), including a supervised practice experience in an accredited program. The Coordinated Program in Dietetics specialization fulfills both of these requirements. Framingham State University provides advising by the DPD Director for those students who elect to apply to a Dietetic Internship.
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COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
CHEM 805 Food Analysis
A study of the fundamental principles of chemical food analysis with the laboratory work including both classical and recent sophisticated methods of analysis.
Prerequisites: Organic Chemistry I and either Biochemistry or Biochemistry I-Structures, Mechanisms and Analysis.
CHEM 808 Food Chemistry
The chemistry of food constituents and the chemical and biological changes occurring in foods during storing and processing. The approach is from a cellular and molecular level. Prerequisites: Organic Chemistry I and either Biochemistry or Biochemistry I-Structures, Mechanisms and Analysis.
CPSY 911 Orientation to Counseling Practice
Designed to provide a laboratory-based experience focusing on the theoretical bases of the helping process. The development of basic counseling skills needed to work with individuals, couples, and families are explored. Listening and feedback skills, as well as the counselor-client relationship are covered. Evaluations are based on in-class role-playing, along with audio and video presentations. Counselor interpersonal style and theoretical orientation are explored.
NUTR 874 Human Nutrition Science*
A study of the interrelationships and respective functions of nutrients, and the integration of nutrition, biochemistry, and human physiology. Emphasis is placed on research design in classic and current nutrition studies with respect to nutrition and health.
Prerequisites: Biochemistry, Human Anatomy and Physiology: Cellular and Organ Systems, and Biostatistics.
NUTR 879 Computer Application in Nutrition
A study of technology designed to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of practice in nutrition professions. Investigations include development, application and evaluation of emerging technologies used in nutrition practice.
Prerequisite: Introduction to Nutrition Practice
NUTR 882 Management of Food and Nutrition Services*
The application of principles of management as they relate to the administration of human, physical and financial resources of food and nutrition services. Topics include management theory, personnel selection, training, evaluation organizational behavior, communication, governmental influences, labor management relations, marketing and budgeting. This course, designed for Food and Nutrition majors, utilizes the case study approach, and requires the development of a business plan. NOTE: Credit will not be given for both NUTR 882 Management of Food and Nutrition Services and a business course in Management Principles.
NUTR 883 Medical Nutrition Therapy*
An integration of pathophysiology, biochemistry and nutrition concepts that form the basis for medical nutrition therapy in health care. Case study discussions and nutrition care plans are included. An additional three-hour lab is required for Coordinated Program in Dietetics students.
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NUTR 884 Foodservice Systems
A study of current trends and practices in the management of foodservice systems. Using a problem-based learning approach, the course includes the concepts of food safety, menu planning, procurement, quality food production, delivery systems, and financial management. Topics are augmented by a laboratory experience in a foodservice facility. Liability insurance is required.
Prerequisite: Experimental Study of Food.
NUTR 903 Advanced Nutrition and Metabolism
A detailed investigation of macro and micronutrient metabolism during states of normal health and illness. This course expands understanding of the biological roles of nutrients in human metabolism using basic knowledge in physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology. Emphasis is directed towards current molecular and biochemical research findings and hypotheses. Students are expected to be familiar with the material covered in NUTR 874 Human Nutrition Science. Topics include carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism; energy homeostasis; 1-carbon metabolism; vitamin and mineral metabolism.
Prerequisites: NUTR 874 Human Nutrition Science or permission of the instructor.
NUTR 909 Directed Study in Food and Nutrition
An in-depth investigation of a specific topic in food and nutrition. May be combined with experience in a food and nutrition care setting. Topic must be approved by the faculty advisor.
Prerequisites: NUTR 874 Human Nutrition Science, NUTR 883 Medical Nutrition Therapy and/or NUTR 978 Public Health Nutrition.
NUTR 911 Research Methods in Nutrition and Education
A study of research techniques applicable to nutrition and education. Using a hands-on approach, students are acquainted with research hypotheses, designs and procedures, basic statistical concepts, and the format of a proposal. Knowledge of these concepts is demonstrated in the design of a research project.
Prerequisites: NUTR 874 Human Nutrition Science
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NUTR 918 Nutrition Informatics
A foundation for the synthesis of information, nutrition and technology. The focus is on the food and nutrition professionals' role in the selection, implementation, and maintenance of information management systems and other technology, such as the electronic medical record, security systems, and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Evidence Analysis Library. Applications to foodservice operations, clinical nutrition management consumer health information systems, and other food and nutrition environments are addressed.
NUTR 920 Pediatric Nutrition
An overview of the clinical, medical, and psychosocial aspects of pediatric nutrition care. Includes a comprehensive discussion of nutrition and growth, and medical nutrition therapy for selected disease states.
Prerequisite: NUTR 883 Human Nutrition Science.
NUTR 940 Geriatric Nutrition: Diet, Functionality, and Disease
An overview of the physiological and socioeconomic aspects of aging, and their impact on nutrition on age-related diseases. The causes and consequences of malnutrition in older adults and possible interventions are included. Functionality, management of chronic disease, and quality of life as important outcome measures in the treatment and care process and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) regulations.
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NUTR 960 Sports Nutrition
Review of nutrition principles as they apply to the physical performance of adults and students in grades K-12. Topics include: physiology of optimal fitness and weight maintenance; exercise physiology and improved athletic performance; nutritional needs of growing children; the use of supplements and other controversial practices. The role of educational and health institutions in promoting positive nutrition and fitness messages is emphasized. Sports nutrition concepts and nutrition assessment are presented in the context of Healthy People 2010 and the Health Curriculum Frameworks. May include on-site physical assessment laboratories.
Prerequisites: NUTR 874 Human Nutrition Science or B.S. in Nutrition, or both NUED 910 Nutrition Science in the Classroom and NUED 914 Contemporary Nutrition Issues for Schools; a college-level physiology course.
NUTR 970 Computer in Nutrition Education
A study of technology designed to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of practice in nutrition professions. Investigations include development, application, and evaluation of emerging technologies related to nutrition and education. NOTE: Credit will not be given for this course and NUTR 879 Computer Applications in Nutrition.
Prerequisite: College-level general nutrition course within the past five years. NUTR 973 Designing Nutrition Education Programs and Curricula
A study of the research related to the instructional design process for nutrition programs, curricula, and materials. Emphasis is on the application of scientific principles of teaching and learning. Investigation focuses on maximizing instructional technology to apply learning theory to teaching strategies. Students develop an instructional design to be implemented in NUTR 993 Independent Projects in Health and Wellness.
Prerequisite: Five (5) courses in the Food and Nutrition program and NUTR 879 Computer Applications in Nutrition or NUTR 970 Computers in Nutrition Education (either course may be taken concurrently).
NUTR 978 Public Health Nutrition
A study of nutrition concepts and the political/social realities that affect the nutritional health of populations. The development of nutrition policies at the local, state, and national levels are explored along with the delivery of community-based services. Topics may include: nutritional science in the lifecycle, sociocultural aspects of nutrition, food and nutrition programs, nutrition assessment of populations, food insecurity, health promotion guidelines, and food safety.
Prerequisites: NUTR 874 Human Nutrition Science or Bachelor's Degree in Nutrition or Health or either NUTR 910 Nutrition Science in the Classroom or NUTR 914 Contemporary Nutrition Issues for Schools.
NUTR 980 Seminar in Food and Nutrition
A critical review of the professional literature in food and nutrition and discussion of its application to practice. Students are required to present seminars on current topics. Prerequisite: Completion of five graduate courses.
NUTR 993 Independent Projects in Health and Wellness
The development of an in-depth nutrition education project or curriculum in accordance with nutrition education research and the instructional design developed in NUTR 973 Instructional Technologies in Nutrition Education. Projects integrate instructional technology based in learning theory and teaching practice, and match specific teaching strategies to learning needs. Projects are developed and evaluated.
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