Stanford Center for Health Education

Nutrition Science

Learn about the foundational science underlying nutrition and how it’s linked to health, and preventing disease.

Start date

30 July 2025

Price

$2,650 USD

Installment Plan

Course duration

8 weeks

Excluding orientation

Language

English

Access resources from start date

Effort

8–10 hours per week

Self-paced learning online

ABOUT THIS COURSE

Course overview

59/100

The score of the average American diet on the Healthy Eating Index (HEI), which measures how well food intake aligns with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020 – 2025.

Dietary Guidelines for Americans (Nd). Accessed 18 June, 2021.

28%

The percentage of Americans who reported that their diet worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gallup (Apr, 2020).

Duration: 8 weeks (excluding orientation)

Having a deep understanding of nutrition is critical for health and wellness professionals to provide informed guidance on disease management, longevity, and vitality. The Nutrition Science online short course from the Stanford Center for Health Education offers a comprehensive foundation in nutrition, exploring the role of micronutrients and macronutrients in the body and how they impact human health at different stages of development.

Professor Christopher Gardner, a renowned expert in the field, leads the nutrition science course, guiding participants in interpreting nutritional evidence and conducting dietary analyses in line with nutritional guidelines. With this knowledge, learners can better evaluate contemporary research, understand the value of optimal nutrition in preventive care, and earn a certificate of completion from the SCHE.

Is this course for you?

The Nutrition Science online short course is tailored to healthcare and lifestyle professionals, including medical doctors, pharmacists, nurses, dietitians, occupational therapists, fitness instructors, coaches, health educators, and food writers.

Led by renowned researcher Christopher Gardner, the course equips professionals with the knowledge and skills to provide informed dietary advice for healthy living and disease prevention. Gardner’s research, which was featured in Netflix’s You Are What You Eat, underscores the practical impact of dietary choices on health.¹

Focusing on the importance of essential nutrient groups and nutritional assessment methods, this course is invaluable for enhancing health education.

¹Stanford Report (2024).

Course overview

Duration: 8 weeks (excluding orientation)

Focusing on the importance of essential nutrient groups and nutritional assessment methods, this course is invaluable for enhancing health education.

¹Stanford Report (2024).

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Leading organisations recognise the value of this course and invest in it to enhance their employees' skills and expertise.

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What will set you apart

On completion of this course, you’ll walk away with:

An understanding of the relationship between food and nutrition.

The skills to develop nutrition guidelines and plans for different individuals and contexts.

Knowledge about fats and carbohydrates, the effects of sugar, supplements, diet fads, and the importance of protein.

A certificate of completion from Stanford Center for Health Education, a part of Stanford Medicine.

Unlimited access to edX’s Career Engagement Network, offering you exclusive resources and events to support your professional journey and drive your career forward.

Course curriculum

Progress through the weekly modules of this online short course to gain an understanding of the principles of nutrition science.

Orientation module

Welcome to your Online Campus

Module 1

Nutrition guidelines: Science versus politics

Module 2

The role of macronutrients: Carbohydrates

Module 3

The role of macronutrients: Fats

Module 4

The role of macronutrients: Proteins

Module 5

Calorie balance in context

Module 6

The role of micronutrients: Vitamins

Module 7

The role of micronutrients: Minerals

Module 8

Health, disease and nutrition

Optional module A

Pediatric nutrition

Optional module B

Special topics in adult malnutrition

What past students
think

Sally Duplantier

Founder & Healthspan Coach, Zing

Since it’s a new program, I thought you’d like to hear that I’m completely delighted with it — the rigor, the content, the learning design, guest experts, and especially the critical thinking required. I appreciate that we are approaching this from an evidence-based perspective focused on media hype and partial truths, and are provided with the tools to make an informed decision. I especially enjoy the application of learning via the case studies. I can’t wait to see who comes into my dietician’s office this week!

Academic Director

The design of this online short course is guided by Stanford Center for Health Education faculty, as well as industry experts, who will share their experience and in-depth knowledge with you throughout the course.

Christopher Gardner

Director, Nutrition Studies, Stanford Prevention Research Center;
Director, NIH/NHLBI Postdoctoral Training Program, SPRC;
Director, Clinical Translational Core, Stanford Diabetes Research Center

About the certificate

Study evidence-based nutrition and receive earn an official certificate of completion from Stanford Center for Health Education, part of Stanford Medicine.

Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. In order to be issued with your digital certificate, you’ll need to meet the requirements outlined in the course handbook. The handbook will be made available to you as soon as you begin the course.

Your digital certificate will be issued in your legal name and sent to you upon successful completion of the course, as per the stipulated requirements.

Stanford Nutrition Science online short course certificate

YOUR INFORMATION

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FAQ

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We deliver market-led courses that equip working professionals with the expertise required to upskill, reskill or kickstart a completely new career. Through a data-driven approach, we analyze future skills requirements and ensure all courses address this need. We ensure that leading universities and institutions are your expert guides and our people, technology, and resources are your engine – together we power more than just education, we power your potential.

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You can pay your course fees before the course starts, or you may opt for a split payment plan on courses that are nine weeks and shorter. For courses 10 weeks and longer, there is a three-part payment plan available. To find out more about payment options please visit our Payment and Financing page, or contact an Enrollment Adviser, to find out which option you qualify for.

GetSmarter's learning model is designed to help you, as a working professional, improve your skills without compromising on work and family responsibilities. The course work is broken up into weekly, manageable bite-sized modules, with incremental deadlines, designed to help you pace yourself over the duration of the course and allow you the legroom to work when it suits you best.

At the beginning of each module you'll be presented with the course content and assignments necessary for completion. You also have access to your Success Adviser who will help you manage your time, and support you with any administrative or technical queries you might have.

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As part of our commitment to your professional development, GetSmarter offers you a two-week period to change your course start date or request your money back if you’re not fully satisfied.

To qualify for a deferral of your course start date, or to cancel your enrollment and receive a refund of your course fee, your request would need to reach our Success Advisers before the release of Module 2. For more information, please read our Terms and Conditions.

The Online Campus will be your virtual classroom for the duration of your course. Through its easy-to-use interface you'll have access to a diverse variety of course content formats including: interactive videos, module notes, practice quizzes, presentations, assignment briefs, and additional web resources.

On the Online Campus, you'll also be able to ask questions and interact with your fellow students and teaching team through the discussion forums. If you are looking for your Online Campus login, please visit your Account page here.

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