Course Syllabus

Fall 2026 | BIO-1030-VU02 - Introduction to Nutrition

In Person Class

Standard courses meet in person at CCV centers, typically once each week for the duration of the semester.

Faculty

Stephanie Rivers
View Faculty Credentials
View Faculty Statement
Hiring Coordinator for this course: Jen Guarino

General Education Requirements

Natural Science

Note

Many degree programs have specific general education recommendations. In order to avoid taking unnecessary classes, please consult with additional resources like your program evaluation, your academic program catalog year page, and your academic advisor.

Courses may only be used to meet one General Education Requirement.

Course Description

This course introduces students to the physiological basis of nutrition and evaluates dietary requirements. Emphasis is placed on metabolism, digestion, and nutrients used in the human body and the nutrition involved in health, disease, and aging.

Essential Objectives

1. Distinguish current peer-reviewed scientific evidence from unsubstantiated statements related to nutrition.
2. Describe how Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) are established and how they compare for individuals based on nutrition, disease, and aging.
3. Outline current dietary guidelines that promote disease prevention and meet nutritional and caloric needs throughout the lifecycle.
4. Describe the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids with an emphasis on organs, hormones, and enzymes.
5. Evaluate and discuss the biological role of vitamins and minerals in maintaining homeostasis.
6. Analyze how carbohydrates, fats, and proteins are broken down to harvest energy and describe the conditions by which each of these molecules is metabolized.
7. Record and evaluate diets for nutritional and caloric adequacy and safety.
8. Demonstrate proficiency in understanding, interpreting, evaluating, and applying quantitative data and information.
9. Explain how knowledge created in the natural sciences has contributed to the creation, maintenance and dismantling of social inequalities and discuss the impacts of diversity and inclusion on scientific research and practice.
10. Investigate the role of sociocultural, environmental, and political determinants on food accessibility and nutritional equity in diverse and economically disadvantaged populations.

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV computer recommendations Support page.

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

This course uses one or more textbooks/books/simulations.

Fall 2026 textbook details will be available on 2026-05-18. On that date a link will be available below that will take you to eCampus, CCV's bookstore. The information provided there will be specific to this class. Please see this page for more information regarding the purchase of textbooks/books.

BIO-1030-VU02 Link to Textbooks for this course in eCampus.

The last day to use a Financial Aid Advance to purchase textbooks/books is the 3rd Tuesday of the semester. See your financial aid counselor at your academic center if you have any questions.

Artificial Intelligence(AI) Policy Statement

CCV recognizes that artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI tools are widely available and becoming embedded in many online writing and creative applications.

Allowed: This course's generative AI policy acknowledges technology, including generative AI, plays a supportive role in learning and feedback. During our class, we may use AI writing tools such as ChatGPT in certain specific cases. You will be informed as to when, where, and how these tools are permitted to be used, along with guidance for attribution. Any use outside of these specific cases constitutes a violation of CCV's Academic Integrity Policy.

Methods

• Group discussions
• Independent study/reading
• Lecture/media based presentations
• Interactive activities and/or projects
• Presentations
• Videos/Podcast Clips

Evaluation Criteria

This course uses a weighted category system to calculate a final grade.

• Assignments/Journal Entries (Homework): 20%
  • Weekly assignments consisting of activities related to content or journal entries.
• Participation/Discussion: 10%
  • Active participation is defined by being prepared for and regularly attending class, engaging in small or large group discussion, listening actively, asking questions as they arise, and engaging with peers and instructorin a respectful way.
• Project/Presentation: 30%
  • Students will participate in an independent vitamin project as well as a case study. The vitamin project will include a short presentation to the class of their findings. Rubrics will be provided.
• Quizzes: 30%* lowest score dropped
  • Four quizzes will be administered throughout the semester covering chapters and subject matter previously discussed during lectures. *The lowest score will be dropped, therefore the students total quiz score will be based off of their highest 3 scores. Missed quizzes must be made up prior to the following class session or can count as the dropped score.
• Reflection/Short Essay: 10%
  • Short reflection essays will be assigned twice during the semester to explore our own nutrition related bias', relationships with food and eating, and more.

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

	High	Low
A+	100	98
A	Less than 98	93
A-	Less than 93	90
B+	Less than 90	88
B	Less than 88	83
B-	Less than 83	80
C+	Less than 80	78
C	Less than 78	73
C-	Less than 73	70
D+	Less than 70	68
D	Less than 68	63
D-	Less than 63	60
F	Less than 60
P	100	60
NP	Less than 60	0

Weekly Schedule

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Participation Expectations

Full participation requires active and thoughtful engagement in class each week. The following habits and skills are important for success in this course.

• Attend class regularly, on-time and for the full session
• Complete all of the assigned reading and homework before the start of class
• Listen to others attentively and with an open mind
• Positively and actively contribute to class discussions and activities each week
• Challenge yourself to do your best work
• Ask questions and seek help when you need it
  • I aim to be available via CCV email with response in 24-48 hours during the semester

Missing & Late Work Policy

• Late work is accepted for up to 3 days (no later than Fridayfollowing our class session) with 5% deduction for each day it is late (up to 15% total deduction). Submission beyond this will result in a missed assignment and grade of 0% for that task. Exceptions may be made in specific situations. In the case of an extenuating circumstance, please communicate as early as you can so we can formalize a plan to keep you on track.
• You are responsible for checking Canvas and getting any notes, materials, and assignments for the class you missed. Please reach out via CCV email and ask questions if anything is unclear.
• Plan to complete homework for the next class meeting on time. Being absent is not an excuse for not completing the work ormeeting deadlines.
• Make up quizzes need to be made up prior to the next class session and timing will be coordinated with the front desk. Please note that the lowest quiz grade will be dropped.

Exceptions to these policies may be made at the discretion of the instructor. I am here to support and encourage your learning so please communicate any issues as soon as possible.

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/student-support/accessibility-services/
2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity

Apply Now for this semester.