Stanford Center for Health Education
Nutrition Science
Understand the foundational science underlying nutrition and how it’s linked to health, and preventing disease.
Start date
30 June 2021
Enroll by 22 June 2021
Course duration
8 weeks
Excluding orientation
Language
English
Access resources from start date
Effort
8–10 hours per week
Self-paced learning online
Course overview
The annual direct cost of obesity-related illness in the USA, including chronic disease, disability, and death.
Milken Institute (Oct, 2018).
The percentage of physicians who report feeling equipped to advise their patients on diet.
The Hill (Oct, 2019).
Duration: 8 weeks (excluding orientation)
As a health or wellness professional, having a sound understanding of the science behind nutrition is crucial for giving clients and patients informed advice about longevity, vitality, and holistic disease management.
The Nutrition Science online short course from the Stanford Center for Health Education (SCHE), a part of Stanford Medicine, provides you with a foundation in nutrition as it explores the role of micronutrients and macronutrients in the body, and how this relates to human health in different contexts of human development.
Guided by the renowned Prof. Christopher Gardner, you’ll learn to interpret nutritional evidence and make nutritional assessments and dietary analyses. You’ll also gain the insight to recognize the value of optimal nutrition in terms of preventative care and the skills to critically examine contemporary research.
Is this course for you?
This course is aimed at healthcare professionals, including medical doctors, occupational therapists, dietitians, pharmacists, and nurses, as well as lifestyle specialists such as nutritionists, fitness instructors, coaches, health educators, and food writers. The curriculum is designed to help these professionals grow in their current roles by providing them with the knowledge and frameworks to advise patients and clients on dietary plans for healthy living and disease prevention.
Course overview
Introduction
Duration: 8 weeks (excluding orientation)
As a health or wellness professional, having a sound understanding of the science behind nutrition is crucial for giving clients and patients informed advice about longevity, vitality, and holistic disease management.
The Nutrition Science online short course from the Stanford Center for Health Education (SCHE), a part of Stanford Medicine, provides you with a foundation in nutrition as it explores the role of micronutrients and macronutrients in the body, and how this relates to human health in different contexts of human development.
Guided by the renowned Prof. Christopher Gardner, you’ll learn to interpret nutritional evidence and make nutritional assessments and dietary analyses. You’ll also gain the insight to recognize the value of optimal nutrition in terms of preventative care and the skills to critically examine contemporary research.
Is this course for you?
This course is aimed at healthcare professionals, including medical doctors, occupational therapists, dietitians, pharmacists, and nurses, as well as lifestyle specialists such as nutritionists, fitness instructors, coaches, health educators, and food writers. The curriculum is designed to help these professionals grow in their current roles by providing them with the knowledge and frameworks to advise patients and clients on dietary plans for healthy living and disease prevention.
What will set you apart
An understanding of the relationship between food and nutrition.
The skills to develop nutrition 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.Course curriculum
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
Get course brochure
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
Christopher Gardner
Director of Nutrition Studies at the Stanford Prevention Research Center
Director of the NIH/NHLBI Postdoctoral Training Program at SPRC
Director of the Clinical Translational Core of the Stanford Diabetes Research Center
About the certificate
Explore evidence-based nutrition and 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 a 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.
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Want to know more?
Why choose GetSmarter?
GetSmarter, powered by 2U, is an online learning expert with over 10 years' experience in developing premium online short courses from the world’s leading universities and institutions. We are powered by 2U to support you in unlocking your potential through life-changing learning with an immersive and high-touch experience.
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.
Find out more about GetSmarter’s approach to digital learning, course design, and online delivery here.
Payment options
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.
Manage your time
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.
Seek employer assistance
By improving your skills and industry knowledge, you'll have an influence on the success of your organization. Why wouldn't you ask your boss to help you fund your studies if it's going to have an impact on the way you do business?
Of our past students, 37 percent have received financial assistance from their employers. You can ask for help, too. Here is a guide to show you how to request financial assistance from your employer.
If you are a Learning & Development (L&D) manager, or involved in training and upskilling for an organization, you can request information regarding our corporate offering on our GetSmarter for business page.
How to change your start date
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.
Discover the Online Campus
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 see the list of university partner login pages here.
