Sophia Learning

HLTH1010: Introduction to Nutrition (ACE

recommends 3 credits)

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Sophia’s Introduction to Nutrition course introduces general concepts and practical applications of nutrition. The
course reflects an integration of scientific principles and how food provides important nutrients that provide
substance and energy for healthy living and disease management throughout the life span. An emphasis is
given to nutrients and nutritional processes including functions, food sources, digestion, absorption, and
metabolism. Food safety, availability, and nutrition information including food labels, advertising, and nationally
established guidelines are addressed.

COURSE EFFECTIVE DATES: September 2022 - Present

PREREQUISITES: No prerequisites

LENGTH OF COURSE: This is a self-paced course. Students may use as much or as little time as needed to
complete the course.

ACE LEARNING EVALUATIONS RECOMMENDATION: In the lower-division baccalaureate category, 3 semester

hours in Introduction to Nutrition (ACE ID: SOPH-0063).

GRADING: This is a pass/fail course. Students must complete 15 Challenges (formative assessments) and 4
Milestones (summative assessments) with an overall score of 70% or better.

Challenges Points Possible

Challenge 1.1: Planning a Healthy Diet 5

Challenge 1.2: Tools for Planning a Healthy Diet 4

Challenge 1.3: Nutrients 4

Challenge 2.1: Introduction to Absorption, Digestion & Metabolism 6

Challenge 2.2: Energy Balance and Weight Management 4

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 Challenge 2.3: Dietary Supplements & Weight Loss 4

Challenge 2.4: Fad Diets 3

Challenge 3.1: Carbohydrates & Energy 4

Challenge 3.2: Lipids 4

Challenge 3.3: Protein 4

Challenge 3.4: Fat Soluble Vitamins 4

Challenge 3.5: Water Soluble Vitamins 5

Challenge 3.6: Minerals & Hydration 7

Challenge 4.1: Nutrition During Pregnancy & the First Year 4

Challenge 4.2: Nutrition for Children 3

Challenge 4.3: Nutrition for Adults 4

Challenge 4.4: Nutritional Management 5

Total 74

Milestones Points Possible

Milestone 1 39

Milestone 2 51

Milestone 3 84

Milestone 4 48

Final Milestone 75

Total 297

Grand Total 371

For more general information on assessments, please visit the Student Guide located on the course dashboard.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:

1. Identify nutrients, dietary guidelines, and the benefits of eating healthy foods.
2. Recognize how fitness, supplements, and food choices affect an individual's health.
3. Identify macro and micronutrients by their structure and food sources.
4. Classify nutritional variations and needs during specific stages of the human life cycle.

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 COURSE COMPETENCIES AND TOPICS

Unit Competencies Major Topics

1. Fundamentals of Recognize the health benefits certain foods and Social Media, Mixed
Nutrition nutrients can have on the body and mind. Messages &
Compare resources and guidelines to food Misinformation
choices and individual needs. Personal Food Choices
Classify food groups & nutrients. Benefits of Healthy Eating
Foundations of A Healthy
Diet
Scientific Approach to
Nutrition
Food Patterns and Dietary
Guidelines
Calculating Nutrient Needs
Resources to Planning a
Healthy Diet
Dietary Assessment
Classes of Nutrients
Food Groups
Analyzing Food Labels
Healthy Food Choices

2. Nutrition Physiology Identify how food is absorbed, digested, and Anatomy of Digestive
metabolized. Tract
Compare the relationship between energy Digestion
balance and weight management. Absorption
Distinguish between realistic and effective Energy Metabolism
strategies to achieve a healthy body weight. ATP and the Digestive
Describe health risks and benefits associated Process
with current diets. Health of the GI Tract
Energy Balance
Body Composition
Concepts of Fitness
Physical Activity
Guidelines

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 Food and Drug
Administration
Herbal Supplements
Pharmacology and
Interventions for Weight
Loss
Weight Loss Interventions
Food Group Elimination
Diets
Restriction Diets
Therapeutic Diets

3. Science of Nutrition Identify carbohydrates common in human Structure and Function of

nutrition by their structure and food sources. Carbohydrates
Identify lipids common in human nutrition by Digestion and Absorption
their structure and food sources. of Carbohydrates
Identify proteins common in human nutrition by Carbohydrate Sources
their structure and food sources. Health Concerns with
Describe the sources and roles of fat-soluble Carbohydrates
vitamins. Structure and Function of
Describe the sources and roles of water-soluble Lipids
vitamins. Digestion and Absorption
Describe the sources and roles of minerals, of Lipids
electrolytes, and water in nutrition. Lipid Sources
Health Concerns with
Lipids
Structure and Function of
Protein
Digestion and Absorption
of Protein
Protein Sources
Health Concerns with
Protein
Vitamin A, D, E, K
Vitamins B1 and B2
Vitamin B3 and B5
Vitamins B6 and B7
Vitamins B9 and B12
Introduction to Minerals

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 Minerals Part II
Trace Minerals
Trace Minerals Part II
Why is Water So
Important?
Electrolytes
Chloride and Potassium

4. Life Stages & Describe the impact of nutrition on the mother Pregnancy and Weight
Disease Management and in fetal development to one year of life. Gain
Describe nutrition needs and concerns for Nutritional Requirements
toddlers, children, and teenagers. During Pregnancy
Describe nutrition needs and concerns for Breastfeeding and
adults, middle-aged adults, and older adults. Lactation
Describe realistic and effective nutrition related Infants (0-1)
strategies for managing malnutrition, deficiency, Toddlers (2-4)
and disease. Children (5-12)
Teenagers (13-19)
Adult (20-39)
Middle-Aged Adult (40-59)
Older Adults (60-74)
Senior Adults (75+)
Malnutrition and Hunger
Nutritional Deficiency &
Disease
Eating Disorders
Foodborne Illness & Food
Safety
Global Nutrition and
Sustainability in
Agriculture

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