Jason DeFreitas, Department Chair
541 White Hall
jmdefrei@syr.edu

Kristen Konkol, Health and Exercise Science Undergraduate Program Director
562 White Hall
kkonkol@syr.edu

Margaret Voss, Nutrition Undergraduate Program Director
561 White Hall
mavoss@syr.edu 

Faculty

Matt Armstrong, Tiago Barreira, Yalonda Bey, Lynn S. Brann, Tom Brutsaert, Jane Burrell, Chaya Charles, William Collins, Jason DeFreitas, Jessica Garay, Kylie Harmon, Mary Kiernan, Joon Young Kim, Kristen Konkol, Yaejin Moon, Latha Ramalingam, Margaret Voss, Maryam Yuhas

Staff

Janet Baris, Administrative Assistant
Nicole Beckwith, Director of MA in Nutrition Science
RoQue Harmon, Internship Coordinator
Mairead Kiernan, Kitchen Operations Manager
Nancy Rindfuss, Didactic Program in Dietetics Director

Description

Programs in the Department of Human Performance utilize course work in all aspects of human performance including the natural sciences, human physiology, anatomy, nutrition, metabolic and muscular systems, and research and testing protocols. Majors offered include, Health and Exercise Science BS, Nutrition BS, and an accelerated Nutrition BS/Nutrition Science MA. Additionally, the department offers a Nutrition minor.

There are three paths available for the Health and Exercise Science BS:

1. The general health and exercise science path prepares students for careers in community or corporate fitness, clinical physiology, medicine, sports medicine, research, public health, and a wide range of clinical health-related professions.
2. The pre-physical therapy path allows students to complete some requirements for graduate study in physical therapy or related areas as a part of their undergraduate degree, with a modified version of the general track via advising.
3. The 3+3 DPT program allows students to complete both their undergraduate degree and their physical therapy doctoral degree (DPT) in SIX years rather than seven. Students who are accepted into the 3+3 DPT Early Assurance program have guaranteed acceptance into SUNY Upstate’s DPT program providing they have met all conditions outlined in their acceptance letter. This program requires students to apply to both Syracuse University and SUNY Upstate Medical University at the same time, indicating to both Universities that they wish to be in the 3+3 DPT program.

The Nutrition major meets the pre-requisite guidelines to apply to a dietetic internship to become a Registered Dietitian. The 124 credit B.S. degree program in nutrition includes coursework in 1) science: chemistry, biology, physiology, and biochemistry and 2) food: safety, science, and service management. The nutrition curriculum includes nutrition in health, life span, research methods, medical nutrition therapy, community nutrition, nutrition education, and counseling. Opportunities for fieldwork provide students with hands-on experience.

Accreditation

The Dietetics track in the B.S in Nutrition and the M.A. in Nutrition Science program are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 

Research

We also collaborate with the SUNY Upstate Medical University on projects and share some research and laboratory space. Collaborative research, clinical and educational opportunities are available for our students through SUNY UMU as well. The Institute for Human Performance, part of the SUNY UMU campus, is a 40,000 square foot facility of dedicated laboratory space for research in Human Performance.

Facilities

The Nutrition Assessment, Consultation and Education (ACE) Center, and its expanded location ACE Center II, offer a hands-on learning laboratory to prepare students with traditional and emerging professional competencies critical to nutrition practice. The Healthy Communities Research Lab partners with local communities to improve childhood nutrition, particularly in underserved populations. The Nutrigenomics Lab explores how nutrition - especially in healthy fats such as omega 3s - can help prevent obesity from the very start of life. And the Social-Emotional Learning and Functioning (SELF) Lab examines how children and teens learn to manage their emotions, behavior and attention - skills that are vital to success in school and life. Falk College also houses modern food laboratories in the Susan R. Klenk Learning Café and Kitchens, which include an experimental food lab kitchen, commercial kitchen, baking nook, and café. A video camera system allows faculty and chef instructors to broadcast classes, food demonstrations, and seminars from Falk College to anywhere on campus and across the country.

Exercise Science research facilities include:

• Clinical Research Laboratory
• Human Performance Laboratory
• Altitude Simulation Laboratory
• Kinesmetrics Laboratory
• Neuromuscular Physiology Laboratory
• System Motor Control and Biomechanics Laboratory
• Neural Health Research Lab
• Applied Cardiovascular Physiology Lab

Programs