Department of Human Sciences

This is an archived copy of the 2023-2024 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.shsu.edu.

About

Department Chair: Ron Reed, M.S.

Contact Information
Human Sciences
(936) 294-1242
Box 2177 SHSU
1700 Sam Houston Ave.
Huntsville, TX 77341-2177

Website: Department of Human Sciences

Mission

The mission of the Department of Human Sciences is to prepare future professionals with the knowledge and skills to positively impact individuals, families, and communities. 

Programs

M.S. in Dietetics

The SHSU M.S./DI program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, (800) 877-1600, ext. 5400. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website.

Dietetics 

DIET 5079. Dietetic Internship Practicum. 1-3 Hours.

This course is composed of a supervised internship in an area of specialization. Course may be repeated for credit. Variable Credit (1-3).

DIET 5367. Consumer & Food Technology. 3 Hours.

Investigations of recent developments in food production and marketing; consideration of physical and chemical factors influencing the quality of food; implications and guidelines for the consumer.

DIET 5383. Research Problems. 3 Hours.

This course is tailored to the needs of students in the Dietetic Internship (DI) Program in regard to research, project development, and problem solving. Each student will conduct an individual project. As a team, students will develop a case study based on a nutrition problem with a culturally diverse target population group. Students will develop and market a brochure based on solutions to the developed study.
Prerequisite: HUSC 5330 and SOCI 5314.

DIET 5385. Sports Nutrition. 3 Hours.

This course is designed for students to review evidence-based research of nutrient requirements of health promotion and wellness, and for competitive sports in children, adolescents, adults and the elite athlete. Students will be taught various strategies and interventions to provide effective dietary changes for the performance enhancement of athletes across the life cycle in multiple levels of sport activities.
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing.

DIET 5395. Dietary Supplements. 3 Hours.

This course will prepare students for identifying the potential benefits or harmful effects of dietary supplements for health, wellness, and medical intervention for illness or athletic performance. A review of the botanical properties and complementary medicinal claims of popular dietary supplements commonly used in various cultures will be reviewed for preventative health, medicinal intervention, and potential ergogenic aids. The Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI)'s for several vitamins and minerals released by the Institute of Medicine's Food and Nutrition Board will also be reviewed. Credit 3
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing.

DIET 5396. Cultural Food Counseling. 3 Hours.

This course focuses on nutrition education strategies and interventions that will improve dietary patterns that relate to cultural values and mores associated with food habits and behaviors. Students will explore and appreciate the cultural factors that affect food patterns, cultural competency, and appropriate medical nutrition therapies and interventions.
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing.

DIET 5398. Public Health Nutrition. 3 Hours.

This course emphasizes the various roles of public health nutritionists in the context of global public health concerns and programs, and the role dietitians play in numerous public health programs. Research approaches and core competencies of public health nutritionists, global, and national public health goals and objectives, and interventions within public health nutrition programs are investigated in the course.

Family and Consumer Sciences

FACS 5087. Independent Study. 1-3 Hours.

Variable Credit (1-3).

FACS 5097. Special Topics Fam&Con Science. 3 Hours.

Human Sciences 

HUSC 5323. Interiors & Aging Population. 3 Hours.

This course provides an in-depth study of how interior environments affect the aging population, primarily focusing on housing issues and options. Emphasis is on policy, needs assessment, finances, and physical design.
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing.

HUSC 5330. Seminr Human Science Rsch. 3 Hours.

A course designed to acquaint graduate students with the need for and contribution of research. Criteria are developed for designing and completing research.

HUSC 5375. Seminar in Recent Developments in Family and Consumer Sciences. 3 Hours.

A critical analysis of current trends, issues, and problems in Human Sciences. Course may be repeated for credit.

HUSC 5380. Aging Population Needs. 3 Hours.

This course is focused on the broad principles of human sciences and effects of interior environments, food and nutrition, fashion, apparel and textiles related to an aging population.

HUSC 6098. Thesis I. 1-3 Hours.

This phase of the thesis investigation includes the completion of the review of the related literature, formulation of the research design and procedures, and related pilot studies. Some data collection may also occur, and the thesis symposium must be completed to the satisfaction of the advisor and members of the thesis committee. Variable Credit (1-3).

Berna El Rahi Abed el Sater, PHD, Assistant Professor of Human Sciences, Department of Human Sciences, PHD, University of Montreal; MS, American University of Beirut; BS, Notre Dame University

Laura Keilers Burleson, PHD, Assistant Professor of Interior Design, Department of Human Sciences, PHD, Texas Tech University; MS, Oklahoma State University; BS, Oklahoma State University

Linda Gail Fergus, PHD, Assistant Professor of Food Science and Nutrition, Department of Human Sciences, PHD, LSU & A&M College; MS, Texas Woman's University; BS, LSU & A&M College

Ernesto Molinar Hernandez, PHD, Lecturer of Human Science, Department of Human Sciences, PHD, Univ of Massachusetts-Amherst; MS, Oregon State University; BS, University of Guanajuato

Tabbetha Dawn Lopez, PHD, Assistant Professor of Human Sciences, Department of Human Sciences, PHD, Univ of Houston-Main; BS, Univ of Houston-Main; BS, Univ of Houston-Main

Keila E Tyner, PHD, Associate Professor of Practice of Human Sciences, Department of Human Sciences, PHD, Iowa State University; MS, Colorado State University; BS, Texas Christian University