HLH SCI 150 - Introduction to Nutrition - Cristina Joros

Introduction

Welcome and thank you for your interest in taking Nutrition! I am thrilled to embark on this learning journey with you as we explore the fascinating world of food, nutrients, and their profound impact on our health and well-being.

My name is Cristina Joros and I will be your instructor this upcoming semester. I have a BS degree in Nutrition & Dietetics and my certification as a Registered Dietitian (RD). I have had the privilege of serving as a Registered Dietitian since 2016 and have gained invaluable experience in clinical dietetics across various hospital systems. My work has spanned from assisting patients, teaching doctors and specialists about the research and impact of nutrition and dietetics. Each day in the field reaffirms my belief that the field of nutrition is dynamic, constantly evolving, and deeply rewarding.

I started as a student at College of the Canyons in this exact course from a wonderful instructor who’s passion for nutrition sparked my own. The excitement and passion for nutrition still goes strong and I will be teaching this course from a very realistic perspective and I hope you take the information to heart.  My goal is to help you learn to make better choices to (hopefully) improve the quality of your life. Our nutrition experiences vary as it is personal, cultural and socioeconomical – so I please ask you approach this class with an open mind and look at both sides of all topics. Your choice is up to you, but what you choose should be best for you dependent on your needs, goals and what you feel is important.

In this course, we will delve into the fundamental principles of nutrition, examining how food and nutrients impact our bodies throughout the lifespan. By the end of our journey together, you can expect to analyze the various components of a diet and understand their roles in promoting health and preventing disease. Whether you're passionate about pursuing a career in nutrition or simply eager to enhance your own well-being, this course will provide you with essential knowledge and practical insights.

Course Description

This class introduces the study of food and nutrients throughout the lifespan as well as their impact on
the quality of life and disease prevention. By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Examine different nutritional components of a diet and the relationship each component plays in the role of health promotion and disease prevention throughout the human life cycle.

Course Objectives:

1. Analyze nutritional behaviors and practices leading to improved health and well-being.
2. Examine the different organ systems in relationship to their role in the digestion, absorption, utilization and storage of nutrients.
3. Formulate an adequate diet plan utilizing the tools of dietary principles, standards and guidelines establish by multiple health agencies
4. Compare and contrast carbohydrates, proteins and lipids in relationship to their functions, chemical structures, health concerns and food sources.
5. Examine the roles that vitamins and minerals play in relation to the health and well-being of individuals.
6. Assess various weight control measures and treatment modalities as to their effectiveness in ensuring healthy weight and body composition standards, along with adequate nutritional intakes.
7. Examine the benefits of regular physical activity and the role it plays in maintaining the health and well-being of individuals.
8. Examine the various types of eating disorder in regard to signs/symptoms, nutrition deficiencies, body damage, interventions, and treatment modalities
9. Develop strategies that will identify common food safety issues and ways to prevent food borne illness.
10. Identify specific populations with nutritional concerns and effective ways to meet their particular needs.
11. Examine and assess the role that food technology plays in relation to health and disease

Lecture Based; 3.0 Unit Course; 54 hours; UC/CSU Transferable

What to Expect in this Course

All lectures for OnlineLive:

• Will occur via ZOOM during the schedule time block as listed as posted in the schedule of classes for the section you choose to enroll in.
• Attending is REQUIRED for the entire duration of the class to ensure maximal learning opportunities are provided.
• Live meetings will be for lectures; clarification/discussion of lecture materials; to review Study Guides and Assignments; and for administering quizzes/exams.

What is needed:

• Computer/laptop/tablet (Please note that using a smart phone has limitations in Canvas and the settings may look different)
• Internet Access: Reliable (as much as the internet can be!)
  • That being said, if your internet is not reliable, please consider that connectivity issues are not an excuse for not being able to attend and stay in live meetings. Please be prepared to do what you need to do and make every attempt to be "in class" for all meetings. *
• Canvas: You will have access to Power Point slides, Lectures, Assignments, Discussion boards, Supplemental Handouts as well as website links that are helpful and aid in classroom learning. Please check Canvas OFTEN.
• ZOOM:
  • Required for ONLINE LIVE CLASSES: Needed to gain access to Live Meetings. NOTE: ZOOM runs best in Chrome.
• Printer: You will need a printer to print out slides, assignments, & handouts. Please be sure to have adequate paper and ink/toner available.
• Scanner: Or something to use to scan, upload, and submit assignments into Canvas. (iPhone with Notes app or other apps (Camscanner, etc...)
• Folder/Notebook/Calculator; Pens/Pencils/Highlighters.

Types of Assessments

Assessments include:

• Assignments:
  • Chapter Participation Activities
  • Discussion Board on Nutrition topics
  • Research Paper
  • Food Diary Research Discussion Board
• Participation (weekly activities and discussion boards in Canvas)
  • Quizzes/Exams: All quizzes and exams have time limits and must be taken no later than the due date stated on the schedule. No make-up will be allowed.
• Extra Credit Assignments will be available.
• The syllabus in Canvas will provide further information about point value and the breakdown of points for all class assignments.

NOTE: All assignments will need to be submitted in either doc, docx, or PDF (preferred) format. Please be sure you know HOW to do this BEFORE assignments are to be submitted in Canvas. All assignments must be submitted via Canvas ON TIME (it is strongly recommended that you submit any assignment or discussion reply before the last minute. No late work will be accepted, so please plan accordingly. "Technical difficulties" will not be an excuse for not getting assignments submitted on time.)

Textbook Information

Title: NUTR2

Author: McGuire/Beerman

Publisher: Cengage Learning; 2nd Edition

ISBN: 978-1337097475

Other Relevant Course Information

To be ready, I expect you to check your email, messages, announcements, and Canvas often and READ everything that is available to you. I will not "sugarcoat" it: this class can be hard. There is a lot of information that you need to keep up with. It will be very hard for you to do well as a student if you like to put things off and don't make learning a goal at this time. Without making time to learn, you will fall behind very quickly. Your commitment to dedicating sufficient time and effort to learning is crucial for your success in this class, so please think about how much time you will need to dedicate to this class if you decide to go ahead with it.

I want my students to learn the basics to understand how to make better choices about what they eat and drink.  Humans decide what and how much to eat several times a day. You have been doing it up to this point and will continue to do so until you cannot. Through every life cycle and every life path – food and nutrition will follow you. From the healthcare professional to the filmmaker, it doesn’t discriminate and ultimately your health is wealth! What you decided to put in your body is a choice. Nourishment is more than just eating and I hope to help you see how nutrition will enrich all aspects of your life. This is not just a class you must take to meet a GE requirement or get into a school. Nutrition will always be an essential part of your life!

Academic honesty and integrity as well as respectable and courteous behavior is expected in any learning environment. Please conduct yourself with respect and professionalism. Being rude; use of profanity or derogatory expressions; intolerant views of others; refusal to follow directions; discourtesy toward the instructor and/or fellow students; not treating others with respect, and/or cheating, WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. Any student who chooses to conduct themselves in any of these ways will be warned ONLY one time. If a second occurrence happens, the student will be dropped from the course. In the event of particularly offensive behavior, the student will be dropped from the course immediately and recommended for disciplinary action to be taken by the College.

What to do before classes begins:

• All enrolled students, as well as those on the wait list: I will email you prior to the start of classes with a welcome and what to expect email. Please be sure you check your school email before the first day of classes to get the information needed.
• NOTE: All enrolled students must complete the first class 'check in' assignments (Orientation/Introduction Module) no later than Tuesday of the first week that classes begins otherwise you will be dropped. No exceptions will be made.

If you are officially enrolled in this class:

• Open and check Canvas to gain access to our course at the beginning of the semester ideally. I will publish and make the course available the first day of classes (or the weekend before the classes begin at the earliest). See schedule for full length courses (Fall and Spring Sections) and shortened courses (Late Start, Winter and/or Summer sections)
• Please "Check In" by going over and reviewing the syllabus, the schedule, and proceed through all of the pages in the Orientation/Introduction module before Thursday of the first week of classes.
  • If you find that the class is more than you bargained for after completing the initial "check in" or are not interested in the way the class is set up (I try to keep your online only experience as 'close' to an in person class as possible), please drop the course and I will hopefully see you in another semester or format. This will allow me to add additional students that are on the wait list sooner than later.
  • Although this is an online course, it is paced similar to the in person and online live classes as not to overwhelm you.
  • NOTE: Please also be advised that the 5 and 8 week classes can be a challenge for some of you to stay on top of the materials.
• As a reminder, if you do not complete the first weeks assignments/discussions by Thursday of the first week, you will be considered a "No Show" and you will be dropped as per school policy.

If you are waitlisted for this class:

• I will add students only if there is 'room' in the class. Our class limit is set at 35. I will assess if spots are available and determine how many on the wait list I can add, if at all by the end of the first week of classes.
• Wait listed students will be added in order of their position on the wait list. There is no guarantee that any and/or all wait listed students will receive an add authorization as it is subject to roster space.
  • I will start emailing students on the wait list at the end of the first week of classes if anyone has dropped. Please monitor your email if you are truly interested in adding the course should room become available.
  • If you receive an email that you may add, please REPLY that you are still interested in the class and I will grant add authorization. If you do not add the class by the Monday of the second week, your add authorization will be revoked and your spot will be given to the next student on the wait list.
• Once you get added, please access Canvas as soon as possible.
  • You will need to move quickly to catch up. Failure to do so will result in you being dropped from the class. 

If you are registered as a current COC student but not enrolled in the class or are not on the waitlist:

• Please contact me if you are interested in adding the class so that I can get you the information about adding. You will be emailed with an add authorization ONLY IF there is room on the roster after all wait listed students who have requested an add authorization have registered and their place in the class has been confirmed.
• It is unlikely that there will be space available, but you are welcome to email me with the request. It does not hurt to ask!
• If you are given an add authorization, please register ASAP, and work on catching up just as any waitlisted student would.
• You will be responsible for all course requirements, regardless of when you started the class.

**PLEASE NOTE** All students are responsible for turning in ALL of their work on time, even if you add after the first day of class. It will be hard to remember everything at once if you stay caught up in class. All of your tasks, discussions, and participation will have clear due dates. If you don't check in regularly or don't turn in your work for two weeks in a row, you might be kicked out of the class unless there is email communication suggesting a problem. Communication is Mandatory.

Additional Resources

Canvas

This course can be accessed on the first day of class via Canvas at https://coc.instructure.com. Log into Canvas using your CanyonsID single sign-on:

• CanyonsID Username is your COC student email address (Ex: username@my.canyons.edu)
• CanyonsID Password is your COC student email password

Please visit the Get to Know Your Online Classroom page for help logging into Canvas and for tips on using Canvas and Zoom. Canvas Chat Support is also available 24/7 for any Canvas related issues.

Online Education

Check out the Online Education website for more information on a variety of topics that can help you be a successful online student such as: exam proctoring, learning styles, computer skills, and tips for student success. If this is your first online course, feel free to take our online learning readiness assessment to assess your skills.

The Learning Center (TLC)

The TLC provides FREE online tutoring resources to COC students!

Academic Accommodation Center (AAC)

College of the Canyons AAC provides educational services and access for eligible students with documented disabilities who intend to pursue coursework at COC. A variety of programs and services are available which afford eligible students with disabilities the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of the college programs and activities through appropriate and reasonable accommodations. For more information on their services visit the Academic Accomodation Center website.

Online Counseling

The Counseling Department offers appointments online. You can schedule an appointment by visiting the Online Counseling website. Counselors can help you map out a plan to reach your educational goals as well as advise you on course selection and registration.

Management of Stress and Mental Health

Often the pressure on our students is very strong, involving academic commitments, relationships, outside jobs and family pressure to name a few. The staff and faculty of College of the Canyons are here to see you succeed academically and care about your emotional and physical health. You can learn more about the broad range of confidential student services, including counseling and mental health services available on campus by visiting the Student Health & Wellness Center in the Student Services Building (across from the bookstore). The phone number is 661-362-3259 that you can call 24/7. You can also e mail for an appointment at StudentHealthCenter@canyons.edu. At the Canyon Country Campus the Health Center will be in the new Student Services Building.

Also, the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number is now 988. All students at COC are encouraged to enter that phone number in their cells. You can call it when you, or someone you know, is having thoughts of suicide or is in severe distress.

You can also now use the Crisis Text Line: Just text "Courage" to 741741. Someone will get back to you immediately. Its free, 24/7, and confidential.

Veterans Resource Center

The College of the Canyons Veterans Resource Center is a department within the Student Services Division at the college, created to help veterans and veteran dependents with applying to College of the Canyons, enrolling in classes, and requesting VA Education or Vocational Benefits. For more information please visit the Veterans Resource Center website, email veterans@canyons.edu or phone (661) 362-3469.

Library

The Library provides live online and in-person research help, access to a full range of e-resources and physical materials that support the curriculum, individual and group study areas, and much more!

Last updated: 02/11/2025 Sub#: 1910