The Certificate Program in Nutrition

With the focus on health, fitness, and disease prevention, this certificate is designed to expand knowledge related to the body's handling of nutrients and to enable students of other disciplines to relate this knowledge to their specific fields.

The Certificate Program in Nutrition serves four distinct audiences: 1) students in UMass Lowell's School of Health and Environment who are not eligible to obtain a minor in a related field, 2) students with associate's degrees in science or clinical areas, 3) students in science-related bachelor's degree programs seeking employment opportunities in health-related industries and community-based programs, and 4) individuals with no previous experience who would like to use the certificate as a stepping stone towards a formal degree in nutrition, dietetics, or nutritional sciences.

Required Courses: (4)

35.206 Human Nutrition
35.207 Fitness and Nutrition
OR
36.372 Obesity and Weight Control
36.371 Advanced Human Nutrition
36.481 Clinical Nutrition

Elective Courses - Choose 1:

35.207 Fitness and Nutrition
OR
36.372 Obesity and Weight Control
36.350 Human Biochemistry
36.406 Biochemistry of Lipids
36.463 Vitamins and Minerals
36.472 Nutrition and Gene Expression

Certificate Requirements

Students enrolled in UMass Lowell certificate programs must complete all courses, generally consisting of both required courses and electives. Students may complete the certificate program at their own pace, enrolling in one or two courses each semester. Courses on-campus typically meet one night per week, three hours each night, during the Fall and Spring semesters. Online students generally log on to their course site one or more times per week to retrieve lectures and assignments or to participate in a chat session. For more information on online courses, visit our online program home page.

In addition to the Fall and Spring semesters, students may also have the opportunity to accelerate their programs of study during two concentrated six-week Summer sessions. Online courses are also offered during the Summer semester, but typically run from May through August unless otherwise noted. All students should anticipate at least two hours of preparation for every hour of classroom instruction. Students are required to maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or better to receive the certificate.

Application into the Program

Those who wish to enroll in the certificate program should submit a completed application form and arrange to have their official high school transcript or GED sent to Continuing Studies. Applications, transcripts, and other correspondence should be sent to: University of Massachusetts Lowell, Admissions/Online and Continuing Education, Dugan Hall, Room 110, 883 Broadway Street, Lowell, MA 01854-5104. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and there is no fee to apply. Upon acceptance, notification will be sent to students.

Registering for Courses

Continuing Studies offers courses during the Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer. Information about current course offerings, schedules, and registration procedures is published regularly on our website. If you would like to receive a printed Course Bulletin, please contact our Faculty and Student Support Center at (978) 934-2474.

You may take courses without being officially enrolled in a certificate or degree program, but you must meet the particular course prerequisites. Registrations are accepted on a first come, first served basis. Class size is limited. We recommend that you register early to reserve your place in class.

Transfer Policy

With the program coordinator's approval, one course may be transferred from another accredited institution to satisfy undergraduate certificate program requirements. The course should be equivalent to UMass Lowell instruction, applicable to the intended program, and the student must have received a grade equivalent to a C- (1.70 on a 4.00 scale) or better.

Academic Advising

Program Coordinators and Faculty and Student Support Specialists are available by appointment to help students determine appropriate course loads, discuss admission requirements, and review the transferability of courses. For online advising, email us at Continuing_Education@uml.edu. To schedule an appointment with a Program Coordinator or Faculty and Student Support Specialist, please call Online and Continuing Education at (978) 934-2474. General academic advising is also available at the Faculty and Student Support Center on a drop-in basis, located in Southwick Hall, Room 202 on UMass Lowell North. Call (978) 934-2474 or stop by the office Monday through Thursday between 8:30am-8:00pm and on Friday between 8:30am-5:00pm.

Awarding of Certificates

Upon successful completion of the certificate program, students must submit a completed Certificate Petition Form to Online and Continuing Education. Upon verification, students will be mailed their certificates. Receipt of the certificate will be noted formally on the student's transcript with an award date of October, February, or June.

Tuition

Please refer to our current course listings published online each semester for up-to-date pricing information or refer to the Online and Continuing Education Course Bulletin each semester.

For More Information

For additional information on any of our programs, call Online and Continuing Education at (978) 934-2474 or email Continuing_Education@uml.edu.

For information on Financial Aid, call the Financial Aid Office at (978) 934-4220.

Gainful Employment Disclosure Information

Completion rates, median loan debts and program costs are outlined for each certificate program.

Undergraduate Certificate Gainful Employment Disclosure Information

Course Descriptions

35.206 Human Nutrition

This course provides an overview of nutrition and the components of a nutritious diet during the various stages of the life cycle. It emphasizes the impact of nutrition on the major contemporary health problems in the United States. Nutrition issues, trends and research, and their effect on society and the legislative process will be explored. 3 credits.

35.207 Fitness and Nutrition

Course is primarily designed for students with limited experience in the field of nutrition and fitness. The course will introduce students to concepts related to the digestive process, metabolism, nutritional requirements, fitness profiles, fitness prescriptions, weight management, and eating disorders. This survey of relevant topic areas related to nutrition and fitness will prepare students for more advanced nutrition courses. 3 credits. Prerequisite: 35.206.

36.350 Human Biochemistry

This course is an in-depth study of biochemical substances and their reactions in the body, with major emphasis placed on metabolism at the cellular level and examined in the tissues of the various organs where these reactions occur. Correlation of biochemical processes underlying pathologic conditions will be made whenever practical. 3 credits. Prerequisite: 35.252 or equivalent.

36.371 Advanced Human Nutrition

Detailed analysis of the digestion, absorption, transport, and intermediary metabolism of nutrients. Nutrient requirements are evaluated in the context of their physiological and biochemical functions. 3 credits. Prerequisite: 35.206

36.372 Obesity and Weight Control

This course is designed to discuss the etiology, pathophysiology, and treatments of obesity, anorexia nervosa, and bulimia. Role of hereditary, neurological, metabolic, and environmental mechanisms are discussed. Particular emphasis on obesity. 3 credits. Prerequisite: 35.206 or 30.206

36.406 Biochemistry of Lipids

This advanced course in the nutritional biochemistry and physiology of lipids will detail the role of lipids in the normal and pathological processes at both the cellular and whole organism level. Topics will range from general discussions of the digestion, absorption and transport of lipids to the role of eicosanoids and lipid soluble antioxidants during normal and diseased states, such as atherosclerosis, diabetes and hypertension. Subject matter will also include a discussion of the various interventions for the prevention and treatment of certain of these disease states. There will also be discussion of the current issues in lipid nutrition. 3 credits. Prerequisite: 36.350.

36.463 Vitamins and Minerals

Detailed analysis of the digestion, absorption, transport, and intermediary metabolism of vitamins and minerals as essential nutrients. The chemical and biochemical characteristics of vitamins and minerals are examined to account for the physiological functions. 3 credits. Prerequisite: 35.206, 36.350.

36.472 Nutrition and Gene Expression

Regulation of eukaryotic gene expression by specific nutrients, hormones, and metabolites will be discussed. Transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and translational mechanisms of specific nutrients with emphasis in disease development or prevention. 3 credits. Prerequisite: 35.206

36.481 Clinical Nutrition

This course is designed to discuss the principles of normal nutrition and physiology applied to clinical problems and the altered nutrient requirements in human disease. A study of disease topics of current clinical interest are also discussed. Students will also be asked to perform case studies of particular clinical diseases. 3 credits. Prerequisite: 35.206 or 30.206