Graduate Course Descriptions

Advanced Biochemistry examines the principles of biochemistry and molecular biology as it relates to the study of nutrition. This course provides further exploration into the biochemical processes essential in disease prevention and treatment with an emphasis on nutrition.

Introduction to Microbiology covers morphology, physiology and classification of bacteria, and fungi and viruses. This course examines the clinical manifestations, epidemiology, and host/parasite relationships to immunology and resistance to disease, viruses, pathogenic fungi, protozoa, and worms. The curriculum includes online virtual microbiology lab, and streaming video series, Unseen Life on Earth: An Introduction to Microbiology, by Annenberg Media.

Management of a CAM Practice explores the procedures used by CAM practitioners for establishing and managing their own businesses. Students will examine start-up issues, marketing, legal aspects, finances, and strategies for maintaining a successful practice.

Capstone Project allows students to conduct an applied research project. Students are encouraged to select work-related projects that are of particular interest to them and that will result in professional growth and benefit the organization.

The Capstone Project is the culminating experience of the D.Sc. in Integrative Healthcare degree for both areas of concentration. The capstone project challenges doctoral students to apply the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the program to their professional careers. Students are encouraged to select a research topic of interest that will result in professional growth and career advancement. An applied research project is conducted and presented in the form of a doctoral dissertation. A formal presentation of the project and acceptance by the University are required.

Additional Information

Doctoral Orientation is a short course that prepares students to work within the HUHS online learning system and will include research resources and plagiarism policies. The student will also learn the history of nutrition.

The Qualifying Examination consists of one critique, one review, and one research paper of a scientific paper chosen by the student and approved by the instructor via email. The topics will relate to coursework completed thus far. The qualifying examination must be taken after the completion of the Core Courses. Students must pass this examination to continue in the program.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine is designed to provide current and future clinical nutritionists, other healthcare practitioners, students in other healthcare fields, clinical nutrition researchers, and faculty with the tools for appraising and selecting among complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapeutics currently in use in the United States and around the world. Students will formulate treatment protocols integrating principles and materials from CAM modalities that enhance treatment outcomes and lower treatment costs.

Research in Complementary and Alternative Medicine explores standards of quality in clinical research on complementary and alternative medicine. Students will review various research methodologies, as well as special issues as they apply to herbal medicine, homeopathy, acupuncture, massage, prayer, and other therapies with the goal of assessing the quality of evidence to determine best option for patient care. Students will also conduct a research project and write a final research report on a CAM topic using the Graduate Research Handbook as a guide.

The comprehensive examination consists of essay questions, research papers, article critiques, or combinations of them specifically designed by the faculty to test each student’s skills and knowledge developed throughout their concentration courses.

Human Pathology provides a comprehensive examination of human pathology with emphasis on mechanisms of disease and clinical manifestations. Diseases processes are explored in depth through analyses of cases, scholarly literature and research, and clinical applications.

These courses should be comprised of topics not normally offered in the curriculum or topics in which students wish to go beyond the scope or limitations of a course. The independent study should not duplicate too closely to existing courses and should be comparable in breadth, depth, and intellectual content to similar graduate level courses in its discipline.

The Dissertation Seminar prepares doctoral students to conduct their individual research projects and to write their dissertations during the Capstone course. This course presents an overview of the research process and the typical components of the proposal and final report. The course includes an in-depth exploration and individualized discussion of potential topics, research methodologies, sampling methods, data analyses, and other aspects of research design and statistical analysis in preparation for the culminating project.

Advanced Nutrition course is an assessment of in-depth study of macro- and micro nutrition digestion, including absorption, metabolism, excretion, inter-relationships, and requirements in normal individuals. Effects of processing and technological alterations on nutritional quality of food and the bioavailability of nutrients.

Integrative Nutrition will examine the foundations of integrative nutrition and dietary recommendations from a scientific perspective. The structure of nutrients related metabolic processes, energy balance, and requirements throughout the life cycle are explored. The effects of food processing and bioavailability are also evaluated. Applications from current literature on broad-spectrum nutrition are made based on specific human nutritional needs.

Nutrition Assessment is an analysis of the nutritional status of individuals in various stages of the life cycle using dietary, anthropometric, biochemical, and clinical assessment. Identification of psychosocial, behavioral, and cultural factors influencing food choices are studied in this course.

Clinical Nutrition explores the role of medical nutrition therapy in maintenance of health and treatment of symptoms associated with diet-related diseases. It includes application and integration of basic nutrition principles and assessment.

Nutrition Research explore the scientific method of inquiry for conducting research. A variety of research designs and statistical tools are reviewed to answer research questions/test hypotheses. A critical review of current scholarly literature; ethical issues in research; and selection of appropriate descriptive, inferential, parametric, and nonparametric statistics are reviewed and applied. Finally, students develop a research proposal on a specific topic in nutrition, health science, or a related field.

Research in Integrative Nutrition will introduce the student to the scientific method of inquiry for conducting research in areas of integrative nutrition. A variety of research designs and statistical tools are reviewed to answer research questions/test hypotheses. A synthesis of conventional and integrative approaches to nutrition is developed in a critical review of current scholarly literature.  Ethical issues in research and the selection of appropriate descriptive, inferential, parametric, and nonparametric statistics are reviewed and applied. Students develop a 3-chapter research proposal on a specific topic in integrative nutrition.

Current Trends in Nutrition is an identification, examination and discussion of current nutrition issues. A critical, objective analysis of selected peer-reviewed nutrition research that provides scientific evidence to take position on the issues is included.

Current Trends in Integrative Nutrition explores the current state and projected future state trends of studies in nutrition in light of integrative approaches to health and wellness. Students will review and interpret scientific literature to examine current trends on specific topics in integrative nutrition. Elements of scholarly articles are critically analyzed as a basis for debate on specific topics. Students will establish and defend their positions using evidence-based sources.

Life-Span Nutrition is a study of factors influencing nutrient requirements and metabolism in individuals from birth through old age.

Community Nutrition will examine the needs of assessment in communities; plan and implement nutrition intervention programs and evaluate their effectiveness. Students will also disseminate nutrition information using effective and appropriate education strategies to promote positive health behaviors of ethnically diverse communities.

Food and Culture is a comprehensive study of the dietary habits and behaviors of different cultures with specific focus on vegetarian nutrition. It explores factors that influence food selection, the effects of food habits, and the nutritional status and problems unique to specific ethnic groups.

Herbal Therapies and Alternative Healing examines the identification and critical analyses of medicinal herbs, including their active components, bio-availability, mode of action, effective doses, and safety. Evaluation of health claims associated with herbal supplements. Exploration of the various alternative approaches used to maintain health and prevent chronic disease.

Essential Oils will examine the scientific, philosophical, and historical bases of essential oil usage and its therapeutic and curative effects within the construct of pharmacology are explored. Students will critically evaluate essential oils for their desirable and undesirable effects as well as safety standards. Students will also create and utilize essential oils and apply different treatment strategies and protocols with context-specific situations.

Functional Medicine and Nutrition will provide nutrition professionals the opportunity to evaluate the complexity of chronic disease from a functional medicine perspective. This course creates a new road map for improving patient outcomes across a wide range of many chronic health conditions. The approaches to disease management and prevention described here represent the evolution of the functional medicine model over more than 20 years, through the voices of leading clinicians and scientists.

Antioxidants summarizes a current knowledge of biochemical and clinical aspects of antioxidant molecules and free radicals, highlighting the effects of antioxidants on the aging process and in prevention and/or fighting the progression of diseases associate with oxidative stress such as atherosclerosis, cancer, skin, eye and neurological diseases. The course presents the research findings on some new agents such as caffeic acid and melatonin, and a new study of spices as potent antioxidants with therapeutic potential. The course also emphasizes the value and importance of antioxidants in daily diet and how many health issues are beneficially affected. Students are required to complete comprehensively several research projects that will reinforce important concepts and enhance writing and research skills.

Nutritional Medicine I is designed to provide all healthcare practitioners with scientific evidence for the use of diet, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, essential fatty acids, and other significant natural metabolites (example CoQ10) in the management and treatment of chronic and acute health conditions. Students in this course will learn how four commonly seen, however, frequently missed health disorders set in motion the pathogenesis of most chronic health conditions seen today. Students will examine the importance of the fundamentals of diet, food preparation, and therapeutic nutritional agents, which provide the building blocks for managing and treating acute and chronic health conditions.

Nutritional Medicine II is designed to provide a foundation for all healthcare practitioners with a scientific background for the use of diet, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, essential fatty acids, and other significant natural metabolites (example CoQ10) in the management and treatment of chronic and acute health conditions. This course is a continuum of Nutritional Medicine I. Students in this course will learn several treatment options for cardiovascular disease, pulmonary diseases, intestinal disorders, liver diseases, neurological disorders, psychiatric disorders, rheumatologic and connective tissue disorders, musculoskeletal disorders, renal diseases, urological disorders, endocrine disorders, pediatric disorders, and genetic disorders.

Nutritional Medicine III is designed to provide a foundation for all healthcare practitioners with a scientific background for the use of diet, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, essential fatty acids, and other significant natural metabolites (example CoQ10) in the management and treatment of chronic and acute health conditions. This course is a continuum of Nutritional Medicine II. Students in this course will learn several treatment options for dermatological diseases, gynecological disorders, pregnancy complications, ophthalmologic conditions, oral diseases, otolaryngological disorders, hematological disorders, infections, diseases, and other miscellaneous conditions. Nutritional influences on various medical modalities such as radiation therapy, surgery, and anesthesiology will also be covered.

Nutrigenomics examines the role of nutrients in gene expression and the interactions between the diet and genes. The course presents a comprehensive science-based approach to the beneficial effects of dietary compounds on diseases. Advanced analytical techniques applied to current challenges and their solutions are reviewed.

Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods are an essential component of integrative medicine and modern health care. This course provides a scientific approach to critically analyze health claims and apply current research when making recommendations as a health practitioner.