2015-2016 Undergraduate Course Catalog 
    
    Apr 18, 2024  
2015-2016 Undergraduate Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Public Health, Food Studies and Nutrition


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Department of Public Health, Food Studies and Nutrition

Rick Welsh, Department Chair, 315-443-4060
304 Lyman Hall

The Department of Public Health, Food Studies and Nutrition offers undergraduate academic programs in: Food Studies, BS; Nutrition, BS; Nutrition Science, BS; and Public Health, BS; 

Students’ academic programs move outside of the classroom to gain hands-on experiences in their major. The faculty and students in the department are experiencing ever-increasing opportunities for interdisciplinary research and experiential learning locally, nationally and globally in the areas of public and community health, nutrition, and food studies, as well as other fields related to these specialties.

Undergraduate Programs

Food Studies

Rick Welsh, Department Chair and Undergraduate Program Director, 443-4060
304 Lyman Hall

Faculty

Tim Barr, Anne Bellows, Mary Ann P. Kiernan, Laura-Anne Minkoff-Zern, Rick Welsh, Evan Weissman

The 120 credit bachelor of science in food studies-helps students develop analytical skills and knowledge about links between food system structure, dietary choices and health outcomes.

Courses cover topics like food as medicine in disease prevention and treatment, women’s rights to adequate food and nutrition, and global rules for governing trade and distribution of food and agricultural products, among many others. Hands-on field learning is often linked to faculty affiliations with organizations of professional significance, such as the USDA, UN and USAID. Students encounter many diverse opportunities, such as:

  • Experiential learning requirements that include a strong network of community-based partnerships and regional, national and international opportunities.
  • Global gastronomy studies, including specialized study abroad programming in Florence.
  • Hands-on learning in culinary labs working with professional chefs and experts in nutrition, food policy and public health.

One-on-one interactions with faculty experts in rights-based approaches to food and nutrition, scale-appropriate technologies to support rural development, emerging food social movements, nutrition focused on pediatrics, and community education.

Increased emphasis on healthy lifestyles, disease prevention, public interest in food policy, growing and aging populations, and diet-related disease epidemics continue to spur demand for our graduates.

Intra-University Transfers

The Food Studies, BS accepts transfers into the program on a rolling admissions’ basis.

Transfer applicants must schedule an interview with Dr. Rick Welsh, Food Studies Undergraduate Program Director, to review admission requirements.

Applicants outside of the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics who are making satisfactory progress and have a cumulative grade point average of 2.3 or above will be admitted into the Food Studies program.

Applicants inside the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics who are making satisfactory progress and have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or above will be admitted into the Food Studies program.

Food Studies Minor

The 18-19 credit minor in Food Studies is an interdisciplinary approach to examine the U.S. and global food systems from production through consumption using a multi-level and holistic approach. Students take courses covering production, consumption and policy aspects of food as well as food security. The Food Studies minor is a valuable complement to a variety of majors because of the growing interest in food systems in academia and in the general public. Issues around organic production, the local food movement, genetic modification of food and nanotechnology, and food access in the U.S. and elsewhere are all covered in the minor and have potential applications in the natural sciences, business, public policy, communications and media, and the social sciences.

Nutrition Science and Dietetics

Tanya Horacek, Undergraduate Program Director, 315-443-2386
440 Sims Hall

Dietetic Program Director Nancy Rindfuss, 315-443-2386

Dietetic Internship Director Debra Z. Connolly, 315-443-2386

Faculty

Lynn S. Brann, Kay S. Bruening, L. Beth Dixon, Tanya M. Horacek, Sudha Raj, Sarah H. Short, Jane B. Uzcategui, Margaret Voss, Jennifer Wilkins

The Nutrition Science and Dietetics program offers two major programs: Nutrition/Dietetics, BS and Nutrition Science, BS. Students may select one major program or choose a double-major with another program in the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics or in another school or college. Students also have the opportunity to pursue a minor.

Dietetics is the application of the knowledge of human nutrition to support the nutritional needs of the healthy as well as the sick. The study of human nutrition encompasses biology, physiology, chemistry, and the behavioral and social sciences. Students study the changes in nutritional needs throughout the life cycle, examine the factors that influence the selection of foods, and explore ways in which diet can be modified.

Additional courses in chemistry and the biological sciences are prerequisites for many human nutrition courses, which cover basic and advanced nutrition, medical nutrition therapy, practice of dietetics, community nutrition, food science, and food service systems.

All students who complete degree requirements will be eligible for the Nutrition, BS. Additional requirements must be met to receive a dietetics verification statement. Dietetic verification statement requirements are posted on the departmental website in the program handbook.

Nutrition Science emphasizes the biological and physical sciences. In addition to food science, nutrition in health, medical nutrition therapy, and advanced nutrition, studies include work in general and organic chemistry, biology, physiology, and biochemistry. In nutrition science, students prepare to pursue post-graduate work in medicine, dentistry, education, or health care or work for major food or pharmaceutical companies.

Nutrition Minor

Students pursuing programs in other areas of study may choose a minor in nutrition.  The minor requires completion of 18 credits.  To be admitted to the program, students must:

  • Maintain an overall GPA of 3.0
  • Complete NSD 225
  • Meet with the minor coordinator to complete the declaration of minor form

Nutrition Science Minor

Students pursuing programs in other areas of study may choose a minor in nutrition science. The minor program requires the completion of 19 credits. To be admitted to the program, students must meet with the minor coordinator and file a declaration of minor form with their home college.

Public Health

Maureen Thompson, Undergraduate Program Director, 315-443-9815
344 White Hall

Faculty

Dessa Bergen-Cico, James Byrne, Luvenia W. Cowart, Brooks Gump, Sandra D. Lane, Eileen Lantier, David Larsen, Katherine McDonald, Mary Ann Middlemiss, Lutchmie Narine, Lisa Olson-Gugerty, Maureen Thompson,

The Public Health program offers a 123-credit hour Public Health, BS Our graduates are prepared to work in community health education and health promotion in public health agencies, as well as in newly emerging preventive health services in corporate wellness centers, college health services, insurance agencies, or pharmaceutical companies. Many also plan for graduate education in public health, health-related social sciences (medical anthropology, medical sociology, or health psychology), law, and the health professions (medicine, nursing, physician assistance, pharmacy, or dentistry).

The public health program includes a 46 credit liberal arts core, a 45 credit public health core, and a 32 credit elective requirement. The public health core includes key public health concepts such as environmental health, epidemiology, health systems administration, and social & behavioral determinants of health as well as those specific to community health education, a sub-field within public health. The generous number of electives facilitates the completion of minor(s) or a second major. In addition, the flexibility of the program enables students to study abroad.

Students frequently move outside the classroom to gain hands-on experience in initiatives to improve the health of individuals, families, and communities. Each student completes a 9-credit internship and capstone project during their senior year.

Intra-University Transfers

The Public Health, BS accepts transfers into the program on a rolling admissions’ basis who meet the following criteria:

  • Students with a cumulative GPA 2.7 or higher, in good academic standing at the university and with interest in public health are considered for transfer to the major. 
  • Students with cumulative GPAs of 2.5 - 2.69 will be considered based on factors influencing the GPA and grades of B or better earned in public health courses previously completed. Students must have completed a minimum of 12 credit hours at Syracuse University.
  • In order to complete the public health degree requirements within a 4 year plan of study, students must have a minimum of 4 remaining semesters of study.
  • An appointment must be made with the Undergraduate Program Director to discuss the major and to outline a plan for degree completion.

To make an appointment, contact Dr. Thompson, the undergraduate program director via email:  mlthomps@syr.edu

Addiction Studies Minor

The 19-21 credit minor in Addiction Studies prepares students for employment in addiction prevention programs and services. Upon completion of the minor, students will have met the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) education training requirements for Credentialed Prevention Specialist (CPS) and Credentialed Prevention Professional (CPP). Supervised work experience (2,000 hours for CPS; 4,000 hours for CPP) and a passing score on the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (ICRC) exam is required before full certification is awarded by OASAS. The minor in Addiction Studies is open to all Syracuse University students with a GPA of 2.5 or above, including those within the public health major.

Health and Wellness Minor

The 18 credit Minor in Health and Wellness is available to all University students with a Cum GPA of 2.5 or above and addresses personal behaviors, environmental factors and social conditions that affect the quality of personal and public health. It is intended to increase the capacity of the individual to adopt health-benefiting behaviors and lifestyles.

Please note: students who pursue a minor in health and wellness may not pursue a minor in public health or a minor in addiction studies. Public health majors may not pursue a Health and Wellness minor.

Public Health Minor

The Minor in Public Health is available to all University students with a Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above and provides students with opportunities to develop broad competencies in areas of study commonly identified with public health. The minor is designed in part for students wishing to gain knowledge and skills for employment in a number of fields that intersect with public health or in preparation for graduate study in public health.

Please note: students who pursue a minor in public health may not pursue a minor in health and wellness.  Public health majors may not pursue a public health minor.

Programs

    Bachelor of ScienceMinor

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