Department of Health and Nutritional Sciences

Matthew Vukovich, Department Head
Department of Health and Nutritional Sciences
Intramural Building 116
605-688-4668
E-mail: matt.vukovich@sdstate.edu
www.sdstate.edu/hns

Faculty

Professor Vukovich, Head; Professors Hacker, Kattelmann, Sergeev, Specker, Wang; Professors Emeriti Booher, Forsyth, Huether; Associate Professors Dey, Droke, Meendering, Olson; Assistant Professors Binkly, Bowser, Huarte, Liu, McCormack, Roiger, Romsa, Van Guilder, Weidauer, Zwart; Lecturers Brandenburger, Nelson; Instructors Gengler, Jensen, Kirby.

Overview

The Department of Health and Nutritional Sciences is dedicated to improving quality of life regionally, nationally, and globally by fostering life long learners, conducting innovative science, and delivering effective outreach in the areas of health and nutrition. The integration of academic programs, which focus on nutrition, health, recreation, exercise, and human performance, provides students and faculty with unique opportunities to collaborate and to promote interaction among students in different majors with a common focus on promoting health through proper nutrition and physical activity.

The course offerings help develop students with a strong foundation of knowledge, skills and abilities to enter graduate school or employment within the health care field, industry, or education. Students learn how to critique and analyze research within their designated field and have access to state-of-the-art teaching and research laboratories, nationwide internship programs, and study abroad experiences. The faculty members are nationally recognized as experts in their field and are dedicated to student success.

Department Objectives

to improve the quality of life regionally, nationally, and globally by fostering life long learners, conducting innovative science, and delivering effective outreach in the areas of health and nutrition.
to provide premier leadership in health and nutritional sciences dedicated to excellence in learning, discovery, and outreach.

Programs

Majors
Exercise Science (B.S.)
Health Education (B.S.)
Nutrition and Dietetics (B.S.)
Physical Education Teacher Education (B.S.)
Sport, Recreation and Park Management (B.S.)
Minors
Health Education Minor
Nutrition Minor
Recreation Administration Minor
Graduate Programs*
Athletic Training (M.S.)
Dietetics (M.S.)
Sport and Recreational Studies (M.S.)
Nutrition and Exercise Sciences (M.S.)
       Exercise Science Specialization
       Nutritional Sciences Specialization
Nutrition and Exercise Sciences (Ph.D.)
Transdisciplinary Childhood Obesity Prevention Certificate
* Graduate degrees are offered in collaboration with the Graduate School. For details, see the Graduate Catalog.

Student Support and Engagement Opportunities

The department offers a number of opportunities for student involvement. The student organizations provide professional development and social interaction through numerous events on campus, as well as service learning and travel opportunities. Undergraduate research provides opportunities to work in research laboratories with professors. Students are able to become actively involved in data collection and data analysis as well as have the chance to write, travel, and present research. The department also awards scholarships to incoming and current students.