Course Curriculum

The curriculum includes core courses in three broad areas: nutrition, study design and analysis, and communications. Descriptions of required courses are included here; a full listing of course descriptions is available in the catalog of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy or online at nutrition.tufts.edu. The exact number of required courses will depend upon the student's prior academic preparation. A total of sixteen credits are required for the degree. Unless otherwise noted, each course is equivalent to one credit.

Nutrition (4 courses; 4 credits)

The nutrition core provides students with an understanding of basic and applied nutrition. Courses in this area reflect the broad science and policy mission of the school.

The following three courses are required:

• Fundamentals of Nutrition Science (NUTR 201)
• Public Policy of Health Claims for Food (NUTR 226)
• Nutrition in the Life Cycle  (NUTR 301)

Electives that fulfill the nutrition core requirement include:

• Agricultural Science and Policy I (NUTR 212)
• Agricultural Science and Policy II (NUTR 213)
• Fundamentals of US Agriculture (NUTR 215)
• The Global Food Business (NUTR 221)
• International Nutrition Programs (NUTR 227)
• Community and Public Health Nutrition (NUTR 228)
• Physical Activity, Nutrition and Health (NUTR 272)
• Determinants of US Food Policy (NUTR 303)
• Nutrition, Food Security, and Development (NUTR 304)
• Nutritional Epidemiology (NUTR 305)
• Nutritional Biochemistry (NUTR 315)
• Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy (NUTR 316)
• Food and Nutrition Policy: Institutions, Analysis and Action (NUTR 319)
• Nutritional Impact on the Immune System and Related Diseases (NUTR 320)
• Dietary Antioxidants and Degenerative Diseases  (NUTR 321)
• Nutritional Biochemistry and Physiology: Macronutrients  (NUTR 370)
• Nutritional Biochemistry and Physiology: Micronutrients  (NUTR 371)

In addition to these courses, a standardized training in ethical treatment of human subjects is a requirement for graduation.

Registered dietitians and students who have completed the undergraduate nutrition requirements that would enable them to become registered dietitians are exempt from these courses if taken within the past five years. They must, however, complete a minimum of four full courses in nutrition.

Study Design and Analysis (5 Courses; 4.5 Credits)

The study design and analysis core provides students with the knowledge to critically evaluate scientific studies, from design to interpretation. Minimum requirements include two biostatistics courses and two epidemiology courses. Those who plan to work in intervention program design, implementation, and evaluation are encouraged to take Survey Research in Nutrition  (NUTR 210).

The study design and analysis core includes:

• Principles of Epidemiology  (NUTR 204)
• Statistical Methods for Nutrition Research (Policy)  (NUTR 207)
• Regression Analysis for Nutrition Policy  (NUTR 307)
• Design of Epidemiologic Studies for Nutrition Research  (NUTR 314)

Registered dietitians and students who have completed the undergraduate nutrition requirements may be exempt from this course.

Communications (5 courses; 3 credits)

The communications core provides students with an understanding of the framework for communicating information and influencing human behavior and with the skills to develop communications-based interventions. Courses in this group include content in communications theory, health and risk communication, the design and evaluation of mass media campaigns, and print journalism.

The communications core includes four required courses:

• Communicating Health Information to Diverse Audiences, Part A  (NUTR 205); ½ credit
• Communicating Health Information to Diverse Audiences, Part B  (NUTR 306); ½ credit
• Communications Strategies in Health Promotion  (NUTR 218)
• Introduction to Writing about Nutrition and Health  (NUTR 220); ½ credit
• Professional Communication  (MPH 544); ½ credit

Students may choose additional courses from among the following, as well as other courses available through the Tufts-Emerson graduate program in Health Communication. They may also cross-register at Boston College, Boston University, and Brandeis University for courses of particular interest to them.

• Theories of Behavior Change and Their Application in Nutrition and Public Health Interventions  (NUTR 211)
• Health Communication Theory (CS 601)
• Health Behavior and Health Communication (HCOMM 522)
• New Technologies in Health Communication (HCOMM 507); ½ credit
• Media Strategies for the Health Professional (CS 651)