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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 to 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.
What You'll Learn
Each weekly module includes a blend of learning activities covering:
Who Is This Course For?
FSHN 150 has no prerequisites and is open to anyone interested in nutrition and health. The course is especially well suited for:
Where Does FSHN 150 Lead?
FSHN 150 serves as an excellent foundation for students planning to take upper-level nutrition courses such as FSHN 350 (Human Nutrition) or FSHN 530 (Principles of Nutrition Science and Metabolism), both of which are available online through CSU. It is also a prerequisite for CSU's Integrative Wellness Coaching Program (FSHN 271 and FSHN 272), which prepares students for national board certification as a health and wellness coach (NBC-HWC).
The Integrative Wellness Coaching Program is currently being developed for fully online delivery. FSHN 272 will be available online beginning Spring 2027, and FSHN 271 will follow in Fall 2027, making the 2027-2028 academic year the first full-year online cohort. The online format will combine synchronous and asynchronous components. If you're interested in a career in health coaching, FSHN 150 is your starting point. FSHN 150 is offered every semester: fall, spring, and summer.
Flexible and Engaging Learning Experience
You'll work with textbook material, peer-reviewed research, and current articles. Assessments include quizzes, tests, discussions, and projects. Class sizes are intentionally small, and you'll have regular interaction with your instructor throughout the course.
Questions about whether this course is right for you? Contact the instructor directly at james.peth@colostate.edu.
This course is offered all three terms: spring, summer and fall.
Dr. James Peth is an award-winning educator and assistant professor in CSU's Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition and the Colorado School of Public Health. A nationally board-certified health and wellness coach with advanced training in nutrition science, metabolism, physiology, and public health, he brings both clinical depth and a practical teaching style to his courses. He teaches across undergraduate and graduate programs, including FSHN 150, FSHN 271, FSHN 272, FSHN 350, FSHN 470, FSHN 530, FSHN 551, and FSHN 552.
He also directs CSU's Integrative Wellness Coaching Program, which prepares students for national board certification (NBC-HWC), and contributes to CSU's Master's of Advanced Practice in Dietetics (MAPD). His teaching emphasizes evidence-based practice, critical thinking, and helping students connect nutrition science to the work they do with real people in real settings. His applied research explores food-as-medicine strategies for chronic disease populations, including individuals with spinal cord injuries.