Curriculum

Our dynamic curriculum combines essential core courses, unique electives, and a thesis research project conducted with renowned researchers at Columbia Medical Center. With dedicated support from our MS Program Director, Associate Director, and enthusiastic faculty members, you will receive personalized guidance in selecting courses, refining your thesis topic, and exploring diverse career paths. Get ready to immerse yourself in an enriching experience that empowers you to pursue your passions and achieve your goals.
Fall Term
During the fall term students complete six fundamental courses, totaling 17 credits. They explore thesis research options with support provided through the Thesis Planning and Research Methods I course. By the end of the fall term, most students are paired with a thesis mentor. There is no need for students to independently search for a thesis mentor.
Biochemical and Physiological Bases of Nutrition Part I (3 credits)
Human Nutrition M8205
Students gain a comprehensive understanding of macronutrients' biochemical and physiological aspects and their relevance to nutrition at the cellular, organ, and systemic levels. This includes fundamental knowledge of intake, digestion, absorption, transport, and metabolism, as well as the biological functions of nutrients and their metabolites. Hormonal control of metabolism is also covered. The course discusses selected pathophysiological topics related to nutritional biochemistry.
Critical Reading of Biological and Clinical Literature (3 credits)
Human Nutrition M8201
Current literature is explored with a focus on topics not included in other courses, aiming to foster a critical approach to scientific information through student presentations and discussions. This course consists of several sections, each with approximately 15 students.
Introduction to Epidemiology for Nutritionists (3 credits)
Numan Nutrition M6120
Epidemiology is the study of how diseases are distributed and what factors determine their occurrence in human populations. Many of these factors are related to nutrition. This course will introduce students to the theories, methodologies, calculations, and terminology used in epidemiology. The topics will be presented with a focus on nutritional examples from current scientific literature.
Physiology and Nutrition Thorugh the Lifecycle (3 credits)
Human Nutrition M8200
This course provides an overview of nutritional needs at key stages of life. It is designed to help students understand how nutrition contributes to optimal growth, development, and disease prevention from conception to old age. Additionally, the course explores the relationship between nutrition and both physiological and psychosocial health at various life stages.
Public Health Nutrition (3 credits)
Human Nutrition M6200
This course aims to achieve three main objectives: 1) to provide students with a brief overview of dietary guidelines, nutrients, and the diversity of dietary patterns; 2) to introduce students to the range of programs, policies, and clinical practices in the field of nutrition promotion; and 3) to offer an opportunity for students to develop skills in assessment, literature review, and program planning. The course will emphasize the importance of various determinants, particularly dietary behavior and environmental factors, that contribute to current public health nutrition issues. Additionally, it will explore the role of health promotion programs and policies in addressing these challenges.
Thesis Planning and Reserach Methods I (2 credits)
Human Nutrition M9210
This course is designed to assist students in preparing for their thesis research and identifying a suitable thesis topic. It reviews essential research elements common across all biomedical sciences, including ethical conduct and the process of conducting a literature review. Additionally, the course provides instruction in general research methods to help students grasp the underlying concepts involved.
Spring Term
Students complete three core courses for 8 credits and earn at least 5 credits from elective courses. Students usually take two to three electives and work part-time on their thesis for 15 to 20 hours per week. Students may take approved electives through other Columbia University departments.
Required Courses
Biochemical and Physiological Bases of Nutrition Part II (3 credits)
Human Nutrition M8206
The goal of this course is to understand the biochemical and physiological aspects of vitamins and minerals in relation to nutrition, both at the whole body and cellular levels. This includes a fundamental understanding of nutrient intake, absorption, transport, and metabolism. The course discusses selected pathophysiological topics related to nutritional biochemistry.
Integrative Nutrition and Pahtophysiology (3 credits)
Human Nutrition M8207
This course provides an overview of the role of nutrition in the development and treatment of chronic diseases. It consists of six key units: Allergy, Obesity, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease, Gastrointestinal Disorders, and Cancer. Each unit will explore the molecular pathogenesis of these diseases, their clinical manifestations, and the appropriate medical nutrition therapies. Additionally, the course will address the interactions between these diseases and the practical applications of the material covered.
Thesis Planning and Reserach Methods II (2 credits)
Human Nurition M9210
This course enables students to enhance their understanding of their thesis research while developing skills to effectively share their findings. Students will examine essential research methods in basic science, clinical science, and public health, along with topics related to research ethics and bias in nutrition. The course will emphasize the social determinants of health that are connected to nutrition and obesity. Small group sessions will concentrate on grasping the fundamentals of the scientific process, enabling students to better understand their own thesis projects.
Elective Courses
Biostatistics: Basic to Advanced Methods (3 credits)
Human Nutrition M8209
This course is designed to help students become self-sufficient in biostatistics by working with real clinical research datasets. It begins with using Excel for data organization and basic analysis, then advances to R for more complex topics, including linear regression, logistic regression, and survival analysis through Kaplan-Meier and Cox modeling. Each student will present their thesis plan to help understand when to apply various statistical methods.
Essentials of Nutrition Counseling and Medical Nutrition Therapy (3 credits)
Human Nutrition M6240
This course will introduce students to current nutrition guidelines from professional societies and organizations. The first part of the class will focus on counseling techniques designed to enhance students' abilities to work with patients. In the second part of the class, students will apply these skills through lectures and assignments related to medical nutrition management (MNM).
Introduction to Lifestyle Medicine (2 credits)
Human Nutrition M6225
Lifestyle medicine focuses on modifying lifestyle to prevent and treat chronic illnesses. This course aims to explore the practice of lifestyle medicine and to provide evidence-based insights into six key principles: nutrition, physical activity, stress management, sleep, social connection, and risk avoidance. Throughout the course, students will learn the scientific evidence supporting these six principles and how to apply them in clinical settings.
Narrative Medicine Seminars (Variable credits, 0-2)
These seminars are housed at Columbia Commons.
Narrative medicine seminars provide students with the opportunity to reflect on and write about health, illness, and care from the perspective of various health professions. Each year, four to five seminars are offered. Commonly available seminars include "Relationships of Care and the Spaces of Care," "Aging and End-of-Life," "Healthcare Justice and the Care of the Underserved," and "Spirituality and Healthcare."
Obesity: Etiology, Prevention, and Treatment (2 credits)
Human Nutrition M8202
This course covers the causes, management, prevention, and treatment of obesity through prerecorded lectures and discussion sessions. Students will learn about the epidemiology and health risks associated with obesity, along with its complex development involving genetic, metabolic, behavioral, and socioeconomic factors. The course also addresses obesity across the lifespan and explores prevention and treatment strategies, including lifestyle modifications, pharmacology, bariatric surgery, and motivational interviewing.
Structured Observations in Clinical Practice (1 credit)
Human Nutrition M6227
This course introduces students to clinical practice through simulated encounters, didactic sessions, and observership opportunities in clinical medicine under the guidance of experienced clinicians. Students will engage in clinical encounters and reflect on their experiences. These structured learning sessions aim to expose students to the practical application of their coursework in the Master's curriculum, while also helping them explore their personal professional goals in clinical medicine and related health fields.
Columbia University-wide Graduate-level Elective (variable credits)
Students may choose any graduate-level course from Columbia's schools that relates to their Master's degree in Human Nutrition. To enroll in courses from other departments, approval is required from the instructor, the department, and the MS Program Director.
Summer Term
Students take a three-credit summer course called "Thesis Research", which runs from late May to late August. Adjustments can be made for those starting other academic programs in mid-July or August. Students present their research during the beginning of the summer and submit their written thesis at the end of the term. There is limited in-class time, as students will concentrate on full-time thesis work throughout the summer.
Thesis Research (3 credits)
Human Nutrition M9750
This course is designed to provide essential support for students working on their thesis research. Throughout the course, students will present their Master's thesis and submit the final components of their thesis manuscript. Additionally, they will receive resources and a timeline to assist them in completing their final thesis manuscript.