BU MS/DI Courses
The successful completion of the DI and all MS coursework, which includes core content and at least 32 graduate-level units, is required for degree conferral and for eligibility to sit for the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) national credentialing examination to become an RDN.
The BU DI must be completed on a full-time basis.
BU MS/BU DI (September Entry)
First Year
Fall
SAR HS704: Essentials of Professional Practice
Limited to students in the MS/DI or DPD/MS/DI nutrition programs. - This course is designed to provide students with information relevant to the practice of dietetics. AND Standards of Practice/Standards of Professional Performance, the AND Code of Ethics, the registration exam, third-party payment, and other issues salient to the dietetics practitioner are presented and discussed. (Credits: 2)
SAR HS705: Foundations IPP
This course prepares students with the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for inter-professional collaborative practice. Over a series of modules, students work with students from other health disciplines to explore professional roles and team communication strategies which enable person-centered, collaborative care. The course also discusses the influence of interpersonal dynamics and the team management of ethical issues, as well as concepts relevant to advancing inter-professional practice. In this course, students also apply their knowledge and skills through case-based activities. (Credits: 0)
SAR HS776: Nutritional Epidemiology
Prerequisite: SAR HS551; Limited to students in the graduate nutrition program. - This course examines epidemiologic methods for investigating the role of diet in long-term health. Students learn to critically review the epidemiologic evidence relating diet, anthropometry, biomarkers, and physical activity to heart disease, cancer, and other chronic health conditions including obesity and diabetes. The methodological issues covered include epidemiologic study design; dietary and nutritional status assessment; issues of bias, confounding, effect modification and measurement error; and interpretation of research findings including an understanding of statistical modeling. Students critically review and present on published research. Students will be able to apply this knowledge to interpret scientific literature and participate in nutrition-related research. (Credits: 4)
SAR HS783: Metabolic Regulation in Clinical Nutrition
Prerequisites: CAS CH373 and SAR HS551.This course provides an in-depth exploration of the biochemical processes that govern human nutrition. Building on foundational knowledge of nutrition and biochemistry, students will examine the metabolism of macronutrients (carbohydrate, proteins, and lipids) and select micronutrients, focusing on their chemical properties, digestion, absorption, distribution, and cellular metabolism. Emphasis will be placed on the regulation and integration of metabolic pathways in various physiological states, as well as the interplay between nutrition, metabolism, health, and disease. (Credits: 4)
SAR HS788: Theory and Practice of Clinical Counseling
Prerequisite: SAR HS588 or equivalent: This course is limited to students enrolled in the graduate nutrition program. -This course provides hands-on experience in developing and delivering nutrition education and counseling sessions tailored to diverse populations. Using a structured, competency-based approach, students will design and implement interactive nutrition education sessions, create appropriate educational materials, and refine professional communication skills. Through role playing and standardized patient (SP) practice sessions, students will develop negotiation skills, integrate culturally sensitive strategies, and apply effective counseling methods to facilitate behavior change. Emphasis is placed on evidence-based communication skills, feedback, and reflective practice. (Credits: 3)
SPH BS704: Introduction to Biostatistics
This course provides an overview of biostatistical methods, and gives students the skills to perform, present, and interpret basic statistical analyses. Topics include the collection, classification, and presentation of descriptive data; the rationale of estimation and hypothesis testing; analysis of variance; analysis of contingency tables; correlation and regression analysis; multiple regression, logistic regression, and the statistical control of confounding; sample size and power considerations; survival analysis. Special attention is directed to the ability to recognize and interpret statistical procedures in articles from the current literature. Students will use the R statistical package to analyze public health related data. * Can't be taken together for credit with SPH PH 717 (Credits: 3)
- SAR HS 704 Essentials of Professional Practice (2 units) †
- SAR HS 705 Foundations of Interprofessional Practice (A1: 0 units)
- SAR HS 776 Nutritional Epidemiology (4 units)
- SAR HS 783 Metabolic Regulation in Clinical Nutrition (4 units)
- SAR HS 788 Theory and Practice of Clinical Counseling (3 units)
- SPH BS 704 Introduction to Biostatistics (3 units)
Spring
SAR HS705: Foundations IPP
This course prepares students with the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for inter-professional collaborative practice. Over a series of modules, students work with students from other health disciplines to explore professional roles and team communication strategies which enable person-centered, collaborative care. The course also discusses the influence of interpersonal dynamics and the team management of ethical issues, as well as concepts relevant to advancing inter-professional practice. In this course, students also apply their knowledge and skills through case-based activities. (Credits: 0)
SAR HS742: Nutrition and Disease Prevention: A life course approach
Prerequisite: SAR HS561; Limited to students in the graduate nutrition program, This course focuses on the etiology, treatment, and prevention over the life course for select nutrition-related health conditions facing at-risk individuals and communities. The role of dietary exposures, risk factors, and intervention during critical periods such as gestation, childhood, adolescents, young adulthood and later adult life and the effects on long-term health and disease risk will be evaluated. Students are expected to integrate knowledge of physiology, biochemistry, metabolism, and nutrient requirements as we evaluate the role of nutrients, dietary patterns, and key intervention periods in decreasing disease risk throughout the life course. Students will gain experience in critically evaluating current research, summarizing and presenting information in a way that is concise and science-based, and applying to real world practice. (Credits: 4)
SAR HS779: Advanced Clinical Nutrition
Prerequisites: SAR HS561, SAR HS584, and SAR HS585. This course will focus on the nutrition management of complex patient populations. The foundation of nutrition care is identification of patients at nutritional risk who require intervention, thus, nutrition screening and nutrition assessment will be covered in detail. Methods of determining malnutrition will be reviewed and practiced using case studies. Micronutrient assessment and methods of correcting deficiencies will be covered. A major challenge in clinical nutrition care is managing the patient with multiple medical problems. Students will discuss how to prioritize medical problems and how to develop a nutrition plan while considering many diseases. Cases tied to this course will also be completed in the simulation lab outside of class time. (Credits: 4)
SAR HS785: Research in Clinical Nutrition
Prerequisites: SPH BS704 & SAR HS776; Limited to students enrolled in the graduate nutrition program. - This course teaches students to prepare a research proposal. Students will work in groups to define a new area of research based on a critical review of existing literature on a specific nutrition-related health topic of interest. Course competencies include formulating a testable research hypothesis and selecting an appropriate research design, study population, methodology, and analysis plan. This course helps students to refine their scientific writing skills and introduces them to ethical issues related to research involving human subjects. (Credits: 3)
SAR HS811: Practicum: Clinical Nutrition
Limited to students enrolled in the MS/DI or DPD/MS/DI nutrition programs. Practical experience working with a Registered Dietitian or related health care professional. Placement sites include clinical, community, sports, culinary, school, food service, research, and private practice settings. (Credits: 3)
Graduate elective (2 or more units)
-
- SAR HS 705 Foundations of Interprofessional Practice (A1: 0 units)
- SAR HS 742 Nutrition and Disease Prevention: A Lifecourse Approach (4 units)
- SAR HS 779 Advanced Clinical Nutrition (4 units)
- SAR HS 785 Research in Clinical Nutrition (3 units)
- SAR HS 811 Graduate Nutrition Practicum (3 units) ‡
- Graduate elective (2 or more units)
Summer
SAR HS703: Field Experience in Nutrition
Full-time supervised practice for graduate students in dietetic internship as part of the MS/DI or DPD/MS/DI nutrition programs. (Credits: Var)
- SAR HS 703 Supervised Practice in Nutrition (3 units)
Second Year
Fall
SAR HS703: Field Experience in Nutrition
Full-time supervised practice for graduate students in dietetic internship as part of the MS/DI or DPD/MS/DI nutrition programs. (Credits: Var)
SAR HS705: Foundations IPP
This course prepares students with the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for inter-professional collaborative practice. Over a series of modules, students work with students from other health disciplines to explore professional roles and team communication strategies which enable person-centered, collaborative care. The course also discusses the influence of interpersonal dynamics and the team management of ethical issues, as well as concepts relevant to advancing inter-professional practice. In this course, students also apply their knowledge and skills through case-based activities. (Credits: 0)
- SAR HS 703 Supervised Practice in Nutrition (3 units)
- SAR HS 705 Foundations in Interprofessional Practice (A2: 0 units)
BU MS/BU DI (January Entry)
First Year
Spring
SAR HS705: Foundations IPP
This course prepares students with the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for inter-professional collaborative practice. Over a series of modules, students work with students from other health disciplines to explore professional roles and team communication strategies which enable person-centered, collaborative care. The course also discusses the influence of interpersonal dynamics and the team management of ethical issues, as well as concepts relevant to advancing inter-professional practice. In this course, students also apply their knowledge and skills through case-based activities. (Credits: 0)
SAR HS742: Nutrition and Disease Prevention: A life course approach
Prerequisite: SAR HS561; Limited to students in the graduate nutrition program, This course focuses on the etiology, treatment, and prevention over the life course for select nutrition-related health conditions facing at-risk individuals and communities. The role of dietary exposures, risk factors, and intervention during critical periods such as gestation, childhood, adolescents, young adulthood and later adult life and the effects on long-term health and disease risk will be evaluated. Students are expected to integrate knowledge of physiology, biochemistry, metabolism, and nutrient requirements as we evaluate the role of nutrients, dietary patterns, and key intervention periods in decreasing disease risk throughout the life course. Students will gain experience in critically evaluating current research, summarizing and presenting information in a way that is concise and science-based, and applying to real world practice. (Credits: 4)
SAR HS779: Advanced Clinical Nutrition
Prerequisites: SAR HS561, SAR HS584, and SAR HS585. This course will focus on the nutrition management of complex patient populations. The foundation of nutrition care is identification of patients at nutritional risk who require intervention, thus, nutrition screening and nutrition assessment will be covered in detail. Methods of determining malnutrition will be reviewed and practiced using case studies. Micronutrient assessment and methods of correcting deficiencies will be covered. A major challenge in clinical nutrition care is managing the patient with multiple medical problems. Students will discuss how to prioritize medical problems and how to develop a nutrition plan while considering many diseases. Cases tied to this course will also be completed in the simulation lab outside of class time. (Credits: 4)
SPH BS704: Introduction to Biostatistics
This course provides an overview of biostatistical methods, and gives students the skills to perform, present, and interpret basic statistical analyses. Topics include the collection, classification, and presentation of descriptive data; the rationale of estimation and hypothesis testing; analysis of variance; analysis of contingency tables; correlation and regression analysis; multiple regression, logistic regression, and the statistical control of confounding; sample size and power considerations; survival analysis. Special attention is directed to the ability to recognize and interpret statistical procedures in articles from the current literature. Students will use the R statistical package to analyze public health related data. * Can't be taken together for credit with SPH PH 717 (Credits: 3)
SPH EP758: Nutritional Epidemiology
Graduate Prerequisites: SPH PH 717 or SPH EP 714. - The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the discipline of nutritional epidemiology. In the class, we will focus on methodological issues relating to design, dietary assessment, and data analysis of studies on diet and disease. We will also review some of the literature relating nutrition to certain disease states, including coronary heart disease and cancer, in which we highlight methodological issues and interpretation of findings in nutritional epidemiologic research. Topics such as precision nutrition, novel multi-omic biomarkers of nutrition quality, and the role of nutrition in infectious disease prevalence will also be introduced. Students completing this course will understand the basic principles of nutritional epidemiology and will be able to apply them in reading the literature and participating in nutrition research projects. (Credits: 4)
- SAR HS 705 Foundations of Interprofessional Practice (A1: 0 units)
- SAR HS 742 Nutrition and Disease Prevention: A Lifecourse Approach (4 units)
- SAR HS 779 Advanced Clinical Nutrition (4 units)
- SPH BS 704 Introduction to Biostatistics (3 units)
- SPH EP 758 Nutritional Epidemiology (4 units)
Fall
SAR HS704: Essentials of Professional Practice
Limited to students in the MS/DI or DPD/MS/DI nutrition programs. - This course is designed to provide students with information relevant to the practice of dietetics. AND Standards of Practice/Standards of Professional Performance, the AND Code of Ethics, the registration exam, third-party payment, and other issues salient to the dietetics practitioner are presented and discussed. (Credits: 2)
SAR HS705: Foundations IPP
This course prepares students with the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for inter-professional collaborative practice. Over a series of modules, students work with students from other health disciplines to explore professional roles and team communication strategies which enable person-centered, collaborative care. The course also discusses the influence of interpersonal dynamics and the team management of ethical issues, as well as concepts relevant to advancing inter-professional practice. In this course, students also apply their knowledge and skills through case-based activities. (Credits: 0)
SAR HS783: Metabolic Regulation in Clinical Nutrition
Prerequisites: CAS CH373 and SAR HS551.This course provides an in-depth exploration of the biochemical processes that govern human nutrition. Building on foundational knowledge of nutrition and biochemistry, students will examine the metabolism of macronutrients (carbohydrate, proteins, and lipids) and select micronutrients, focusing on their chemical properties, digestion, absorption, distribution, and cellular metabolism. Emphasis will be placed on the regulation and integration of metabolic pathways in various physiological states, as well as the interplay between nutrition, metabolism, health, and disease. (Credits: 4)
SAR HS785: Research in Clinical Nutrition
Prerequisites: SPH BS704 & SAR HS776; Limited to students enrolled in the graduate nutrition program. - This course teaches students to prepare a research proposal. Students will work in groups to define a new area of research based on a critical review of existing literature on a specific nutrition-related health topic of interest. Course competencies include formulating a testable research hypothesis and selecting an appropriate research design, study population, methodology, and analysis plan. This course helps students to refine their scientific writing skills and introduces them to ethical issues related to research involving human subjects. (Credits: 3)
SAR HS788: Theory and Practice of Clinical Counseling
Prerequisite: SAR HS588 or equivalent: This course is limited to students enrolled in the graduate nutrition program. -This course provides hands-on experience in developing and delivering nutrition education and counseling sessions tailored to diverse populations. Using a structured, competency-based approach, students will design and implement interactive nutrition education sessions, create appropriate educational materials, and refine professional communication skills. Through role playing and standardized patient (SP) practice sessions, students will develop negotiation skills, integrate culturally sensitive strategies, and apply effective counseling methods to facilitate behavior change. Emphasis is placed on evidence-based communication skills, feedback, and reflective practice. (Credits: 3)
SAR HS811: Practicum: Clinical Nutrition
Limited to students enrolled in the MS/DI or DPD/MS/DI nutrition programs. Practical experience working with a Registered Dietitian or related health care professional. Placement sites include clinical, community, sports, culinary, school, food service, research, and private practice settings. (Credits: 3)
- SAR HS 704 Essentials of Professional Practice (2 units) †
- SAR HS 705 Foundations of Interprofessional Practice (A1: 0 units)
- SAR HS 783 Metabolic Regulation in Clinical Nutrition (4 units)
- SAR HS 785 Research in Clinical Nutrition (3 units)
- SAR HS 788 Theory and Practice of Clinical Counseling (3 units)
- SAR HS 811 Graduate Nutrition Practicum (3 units) ‡
- Graduate elective (2+ units)
Second Year
Spring
SAR HS703: Field Experience in Nutrition
Full-time supervised practice for graduate students in dietetic internship as part of the MS/DI or DPD/MS/DI nutrition programs. (Credits: Var)
SAR HS705: Foundations IPP
This course prepares students with the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for inter-professional collaborative practice. Over a series of modules, students work with students from other health disciplines to explore professional roles and team communication strategies which enable person-centered, collaborative care. The course also discusses the influence of interpersonal dynamics and the team management of ethical issues, as well as concepts relevant to advancing inter-professional practice. In this course, students also apply their knowledge and skills through case-based activities. (Credits: 0)
- SAR HS 703 Supervised Practice in Nutrition (3 units)
- SAR HS 705 Foundations in Interprofessional Practice (A2: 0 units)
Summer
SAR HS703: Field Experience in Nutrition
Full-time supervised practice for graduate students in dietetic internship as part of the MS/DI or DPD/MS/DI nutrition programs. (Credits: Var)
- SAR HS 703 Supervised Practice in Nutrition (3 units)