Teaching

Economics of Food and Agriculture. A study of the economics methods used for food policy analysis. Students apply economics tools to major food and nutrition policy problems around the world. Students explore food production and consumption behavior, social welfare changes, international trade, market failures, and government policies. Through a combination of lectures and seminars, students gain analytical methods and familiarity with data to explain and predict outcomes of the food economy, including trends in poverty, inequality, employment, and economic growth. A 300-level undergraduate elective course, combination of lecture and seminar.

Introduction to Microeconomics. An introduction to the market behavior of individuals, households, and firms. Topics include the concept of opportunity cost, the derivation of supply and demand curves, the analysis of markets as a means to allocate scarce resources, the analysis of various market structures, the impact of government controls on the economy, and the measurement of social costs and benefits. A 100-level introductory required course, lecture style. 

Applied Business Analysis. Application of statistical methods and economic theory to business and managerial decision making. The course covers a range of analytical tools useful in solving problems that arise in managing firms' operations. Particular examples include regression analysis, forecasting, time value of money, non-parametric methods, decision analysis, and survey design. A 400-level required course for business majors, flipped classroom design. 

Macroeconomic Theory. A development of theories concerning the determination of output, prices, and employment, the hypotheses upon which these theories are founded, and their implications for policy programs. A 200-level undergraduate required course for economics majors, lecture and partially flipped classroom design. 

Foundations of Human Nutrition. An introduction to the science of human nutrition. Students explore nutrients, their actions and interactions in the body, their absorption and excretion, and their relation to health and disease. Students investigate nutrient requirements and how they differ depending on age, sex, life-stage, physical activity, and disease states. Topics include macronutrients, micronutrients, energy metabolism, nutrition through the life cycle, prevention of chronic disease, and food safety. Students will analyze dietary adequacy and quality, explore data about population dietary patterns, and use case studies to explore both clinical and public health nutrition topics.  This course is designed to support an RN program and other allied health fields. 

Global Health and Nutrition. An evaluation of selected global health challenges in nutrition, with particular focus on maternal and child health. Students explore the bio-social origins of various nutritional concerns, including macro- and micro-nutrient deficiencies, food insecurity, food safety, and disparities in heights and weights. Students analyze how nutritional status develops within specific ecological and cultural contexts and examine the ethical and health implications of nutritional disparities. Critical thinking about nutrition science and policy is a key component of this course, as students will examine the evidence base for nutrition interventions and evaluate the effectiveness of various policies to improve nutrition and health outcomes globally. A 400-level undergraduate capstone course, seminar format.

Global Health Data and Visualization. An exploration of publicly available quantitative data related to global health and development from individuals, families, and countries around the world. Students learn how to find, organize, and visualize publicly available data, as well as practice database management, merging, documentation, and visualization with emphases on data equity and on understanding the underlying processes by which data are generated by various agencies and organizations. Students investigate the benefits and drawbacks of using publicly available data and gain skills to prepare for independent data analysis. A 200-level undergraduate elective course, flipped classroom.