Main Navigation
Apply Now Request Info


Loading...

FSHN 150 - Introduction to Human Nutrition

  • 3 credits
View available sections

When it comes to nutrition, the media often focus on fad diets and controversies. You might even think nutrition experts are constantly changing their advice on what a healthy diet is. Yet, this isn’t true. The science of nutrition is complex but choosing a healthy diet does not need be. FSHN 150 will provide you a broad survey of the SCIENCE of human nutrition that will allow you to debunk diet myths, understand factors that influence your food choices and health, and design a nutritious eating pattern.

Each weekly module includes a blend of learning activities designed to deliver a challenging and engaging experience. You’ll learn about:

  • factors that influence food choices
  • the state of eating patterns and health
  • nutrition, lifestyle choices, and health
  • reliable sources of nutrition information
  • dietary recommendations and their development
  • using recommendations to design a healthy eating pattern
  • evaluating nutrition information from different sources
  • classes and dietary sources of nutrients and their functions in the body
  • the digestive system and common digestive disorders
  • criteria for evaluating diets
  • nutrition and physical activity
  • protecting our food supply
  • global nutrition and food security
  • nutrition across the lifespan

Who might be interested in taking this course?

  • Anyone who eats food and wants to learn more about nutrition and health.
  • Someone with or without a background in nutrition – no prerequisites
  • Someone who wants to use the course toward the nutrition degree program as an elective for a wide variety of other majors at CSU or other universities for programs in food science, nutrition science, health and exercise science, hospitality, food service management, public policy, food safety, culinary science, sustainable nutrition, health and wellness coaching, education, and communication, public health, nursing, and more.
  • Someone who wants to take an online course

Traditional students who need an online course

  • busy professionals who need to complete a course on a flexible, accommodating schedule
  • students entering the graduate certificate program in nutrition science who need a prerequisite or refresher course
  • students in a nutrition program elsewhere who need this introductory course
  • Individuals applying to nursing school

Flexible and engaging learning experience

You'll be reading textbooks as well as research and articles from peer-reviewed sources and websites. You'll complete assessments, including tests, quizzes, and complete discussions and projects, just like you would for face-to-face courses. Class sizes are small, diverse groups of learners from different backgrounds. You will have regular interaction with your instructors, who are seasoned experts in the field with years of experience. They will lead discussions and provide guidance for learning and completion of assignments. You have weekly reading assignments with regular opportunities to check your understanding through interactive course materials. You will also have the opportunity to complete a real-life assessment of your own diet and to learn more about how well you are meeting daily intake recommendations and enabling you to apply what you've learned in the course to your diet and health.

How Does Online Learning Work?

Textbooks and Materials

Please check the CSU Bookstore for textbook information. Textbook listings are available at the CSU Bookstore about 3 weeks prior to the start of the term.

Instructors

James Peth
James Peth

james.peth@colostate.edu

James Peth, MS, MPH, PhD, NBC-HWC Dr. James Peth is an assistant professor in both the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition and the Colorado School of Public Health. He is an award-winning educator and nationally board-certified health and wellness coach with expertise in nutrition science, metabolism, physiology, and public health. He holds a Ph.D. in Food Science and Human Nutrition from CSU, an MPH in Nutrition from the Colorado School of Public Health, an M.S. in Physiological Sciences from the University of Arizona, and a B.S. in Exercise Science from Miami University. He teaches across undergraduate and graduate programs. His courses include: – FSHN 150 – Survey of Human Nutrition – FSHN 271 – Integrative Wellness Coaching I – FSHN 272 – Integrative Wellness Coaching II – FSHN 350 – Human Nutrition – FSHN 530 – Principles of Nutrition Science and Metabolism – FSHN 551 – Advanced Macronutrient Metabolism – FSHN 552 – Micronutrients and Functional Nutrition Dr. Peth contributes to CSU’s new online Master’s in Advanced Practice in Dietetics (MAPD), launching Fall 2025. The MAPD is an ACEND-aligned, non-thesis graduate degree for aspiring registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs), offering advanced training in clinical, community, and counseling-based nutrition. He also directs CSU’s Integrative Wellness Coaching Program, preparing students for national board certification (NBC-HWC). His teaching emphasizes evidence-based practice, critical thinking, and the application of nutrition science in clinical, community, and lifestyle settings. His applied research explores “food as medicine” strategies for chronic disease, including spinal cord injury, and he collaborates with CSU Extension to bring science-based nutrition solutions into practice. He is committed to bridging scientific rigor with real-world impact and promoting accessible, high-quality education in health and wellness.