Doctor of Science in Holistic Nutrition (DSC)
Curriculum

DSC Courses

Effective January 1, 2012:  The DSC program has been revised.

DSC 830: GLOBAL NUTRITION POLITICS AND POLICIES
Public policy directly affects our food choices and our understanding of nutrition. This course is designed to provide students with an overview of the history, legal, political, and social events that shape our food supply. Students will gain an understanding of how national, corporate, and global policies affect food distribution, quality, and safety. Information about sustainability, food and farming policies, food transportation, food distribution, food fortification, food security, food sovereignty, and international food policies are covered. Students gain an understanding of how the FDA and American policies and laws impact food safety issues, and about the impact of global food harmonization policies. This course also examines the real costs of food policies and how corporations affect world food supply and quality. (4 Credits)

DSC 831: INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH THEORY AND METHODS
This course provides the structure students need to conduct research throughout their course of studies. This course focuses on familiarizing you with research methodologies. In today’s culture where information is abundant, how do you know what is credible and what standards to use to determine that? We’ll explore how to critically review scientific studies and the different types of research methodologies. We’ll also explore the literature review which will prepare you for your doctoral thesis and for your studies throughout the doctoral program. You’ll become familiar with use of Endnote Software to use to format bibliographies and to serve as your own research library. Prerequisite: DSC 830 (4 Credits)

DSC 832: ENVIRONMENTAL NUTRITION - HEALTH IMPLICATIONS
DSC 833: GASTROINTESTINAL PROCESSES IN HEALTH AND DISEASE
Nutrition begins in the digestive tract. We can eat an excellent diet but if we cannot get nutrients and calories to individual cells, all the best food won’t nourish us. Understanding digestion is essential to the work of nutrition professionals. In this course students will gain an understanding of the anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry of the gastrointestinal tract and the associated pancreatic, liver and biliary tract systems in both health and disease. Students examine the digestive system’s pivotal role in the immune system which includes: the role of gut microbiome, probiotics, prebiotics, gut permeability, and the digestive system’s role in immune function and inflammation. In addition the course covers the role of HCL and achlorhydria, and their interaction with vitamin B12, and examines celiac disease, food sensitivities, and food allergies. Prerequisite: DSC 832 (4 Credits)

DSC 834: DETOXIFICATION - FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE
We spend a considerable amount of our biochemical resources on detoxification and biotransformation processes in our body. Biotransformation of potentially toxic substances can help us by detoxifying them or by forming derivatives with increased toxicity. This course reviews the biochemistry of biotransformation and detoxification and explores how to increase mobilization and excretion of toxins through food and supplements. Students learn to identify and assess people who may have impaired detoxification and increased toxic exposure. This course explore how food can be used to enhance biotransformation to decrease risk to breast and other hormone dependent cancers, autoimmune disease, and other chronic illnesses. Prerequisite: DSC 832 (4 Credits)

DSC 835: INFLAMMATION, IMMUNITY AND NUTRITION
This course provides an overview of the human immune system and inflammation metabolism and specifically and its relationship to diet. Students will be made aware of how the immunological system has blossomed over the last two decades. Also presented is the current belief that inflammatory processes underlie chronic health issues such as cardiac and vascular disease. The standard Western diet is inflammatory; Mediterranean and other whole foods diets can reduce inflammation. Natural foods and substances can modulate pain and inflammation. Polyphenols, bioflavonoids, probiotics, omega 3 fatty acids, and other food components modulate inflammation. Topics covered in this course will include: physiology and biochemistry of the immune and inflammatory systems, lymphatic system, innate and adaptive immunology, recognition and receptors, fever, acute and chronic inflammation, antibodies and allergies, cytokines, role of the thymus, and auto-immune illnesses. Prerequisite DSC 832 (4 Credits)

DSC 836: NUTRITION, METABOLIC SYNDROME AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
This course will focus on current theories in cardiovascular nutrition and metabolic syndrome, and their relationship to lifestyle and dietary modification. Topics covered will include anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system, theories of cardiovascular health and disease, and the role of food and diet in prevention and management of cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Controversies in the field, such as salt restriction and lowering of serum cholesterol, will also be explored. Management of micronutrients, such as ribose, CoQ10, B-complex vitamins, magnesium, calcium and carnitine, will also be covered. Prerequisite: DSC 832 (4 Credits)

DSC 837: HORMONES AND NUTRITION
In this course students gain a working understanding of the endocrine system and its interaction with diet, lifestyle and specific nutrients. Recognizing how food and micronutrients affect endocrine balance is key to educating people how to create and maintain good health. Topics covered in this course include: physiology and anatomy of the endocrine system, blood sugar control, glucocorticoid metabolism, the role of the adrenals and corticosteroid and hormone balance, the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis), thyroid function, growth hormone and more. Students will examine common imbalances and diseases of the endocrine system and how to approach them from a nutrition and lifestyle viewpoint. Health promotion topics focus on designing strategies to support environmental change and evaluation of nutrition education programs. Prerequisite: DSC 832 (4 credits)

DSC 838: NUTRITION AND NEUROSCIENCE
Students gain a working understanding of the common illnesses and diseases of the neurological system and the role of nutrition and environmental factors in neurological function and dysfunction. Studies include parasympathetic and sympathetic nerve function, brain function, neurotransmitters, enteric nervous system, calcium channel blockers, and role of fatty acids and micronutrients in neurological function. Topics also include: understanding of laboratory evaluation for neurological imbalances such as fatty acid testing, celiac testing, and neurotransmitter testing and Orthomolecular Medicine. Prerequisite DSC 832 (4 Credits)

DSC 839: HEALTH BELIEF MODELS IN NUTRITION EDUCATION
This course introduces the student to Nutrition Education, and the methods and materials for teaching nutrition to students at different grades levels and community groups. The course will focus on how to design, deliver, and evaluate the types of educational interventions and programs. Emphasis will be placed on interventions/programs grounded in Health Behavior Theory. Prerequisite DSC 832 (4 Credits)

DSC 840: BIOETHICS & STATISTICS
This course introduces students to bioethics as an interdisciplinary subject through critical thinking, writing, and discussing contemporary issues. Bioethical thinking is neither biology nor ethics, but rather, a joining of both of them. In addition, in the later part of this course, students will be introduced to statistics for health care professionals. Prerequisite DSC 802 (4 Credits)

DSC 841: DIRECTED STUDY
This course permits students to explore an avenue of study focusing on a specific holistic nutrition topic of interest. Students identify, research, and gain greater knowledge in their chosen subject. Students will submit a brief proposal to the Director of Doctoral Studies prior to registering for this course to confirm that the project will constitute a semester’s work and is of sufficient content and depth to be awarded 4 credits. Prerequisite: DSC 832 (4 credits)

DSC 900: DISSERTATION SEMINAR
This course is designed to assist students in the process and development of their final dissertation and to provide them with the necessary skills to write an acceptable research proposal. It is the first of three courses leading to the completion of a dissertation. Students will write a preliminary draft of their dissertation proposal using the knowledge and skills gained in prior coursework. Upon approval of the student’s initial proposal, the student will advance to candidacy. (4 Credits) Prerequisites: Successful completion of all coursework and comprehensive oral examination.

DSC 901: DOCTORAL DISSERTATION I
In this course students refine and expand their dissertation proposal and begin writing their doctoral dissertation. Guided by their instructor, students will work on their methodology and begin collecting and analyzing data in preparation of submitting a comprehensive and scientific research study ready for defense at the conclusion of DSC 902. (4 credits) Prerequisite: DSC 900

DSC 902: DOCTORAL DISSERTATION II
This is the final module in the twelve (12) credit series of dissertation courses. In this course students will work to complete their dissertation and defend it to their dissertation committee. (4 credits)

NOTE:

Completion of a dissertation is a requirement to receive a doctoral degree. All requirements are expected to be completed in no less than three years and no more than ten years after first registration in the Doctor of Science program. In the event that students are unable to complete and defend their dissertation at the conclusion of this course, they must register for Dissertation Continuation courses DSC 903, DSC 904, etc. up to the time they have completed the dissertation. A grade of PR (In Progress) will appear on the students’ transcript for Dissertation Continuation courses but will not be calculated in the final GPA. Upon completion and approval, the final earned grade will be recorded on the students’ transcript. Enrollment must be continuous as a candidate for a degree must be enrolled during the semester in which the degree is conferred. For additional information refer to the Dissertation Handbook.