Summer Springboard
Nutrition & Food Science
ON THE CAMPUS OF CAL POLY SLO
EXPLORE THE SCIENCE OF NUTRITION, FITNESS, AND WELLNESS TO CUT THROUGH MYTHS AND UNDERSTAND WHAT TRULY FUELS THE BODY.
THIS IS A TWO-WEEK PROGRAM WHERE YOU’LL FOCUS ON ONE COURSE FOR THE ENTIRE DURATION.
Nutrition & Food Science @ Cal Poly SLO
- Effectively review and analyze food labels.
- Explore diverse cultures and food customs.
- Recognize the role social media plays on food choice.
- Learn how to effectively fuel and nurture your body.
- Interrogate the complex relationships we have with food as individuals, families, and society.
Summer Springboard
Nutrition & Food Science
About This Course
Dive headfirst into the data and science surrounding the multi-billion dollar business that encompasses diet and exercise. Learn what makes us grow, thrive, and evolve to be in optimal health. Get the facts on fuel and nutrition while examining myths surrounding Macronutrients like Carbs and Proteins. Explore the importance of smaller nutrients like vitamins and minerals. Consider the myriad of influences that impact our food choices everyday. Discuss food, fitness and stress as part of our overall health and wellness.
TOPICS YOU'LL EXPLORE
Hands-on Learning
Students will investigate the barrage of information they experience everyday about food and nutrition and discover how to effectively navigate a balanced approach whether at home, at school, out to eat or traveling.
Career Exploration
Students will discover the variety of major and career paths available through food science and nutrition.
RESOURCES
Course Infosheet
Course Infosheet coming soon!
Program Catalog
Click here to request our catalog to learn more about our summer programs and courses.
Campus Page
Click here to view the website page for this campus and learn more.
“Summer Springboard was such a great time and I believe I have met some lifelong friends here. I really got to know the career path I want to pursue.”
– Sophia W. | Alumni Student
Summer Springboard
Nutrition & Food Science
Meet Your Instructor
Dr. Hawk has over 25+ years of experience in clinical nutrition,working extensively teaching future dietitians how to care for patients. She has a PhD in Nutrition from UC Davis with a minor in Endocrinology, and is also a Registered Dietitian. She is am fascinated with the field of medicine and how nutrition can be a treatment course for medical conditions and improve longevity. Dr. Hawk takes an all-foods fit approach to nourishing the body. Taking the time to truly understand the ‘why’ behind a health issue or behavior matters. For fun, she loves all things space-related which comes from working on a space- flight project with NASA during college. Her love for science grew from working with astronauts and sending frog embryos into space. Outside of research, she loves traveling, growing vegetables and being a dog and cat mom!
DR. SUSAN HAWK
“The Summer Springboard program is a great chance to learn more about different fields of education and the college experience, while also meeting new people.”
– E. Watanabe | Alumni Student
Summer Springboard
Nutrition & Food Science
Dates & Tuition
| 2026 Dates |
|---|
| Session 1: July 5 – July 17, 2026 |
Click here to enroll in this course using our online enrollment form.
| Tuition |
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| Residential Tuition: $5,298 |
| Commuter Tuition: $2,998 |
Apply by November 30 to lock in the lowest prices of the year. Tuition increases on December 1.
Tuition Protection Plan: Allows for cancellation for any reason up until the day of the program.
| Location |
|---|
| City: San Luis Obispo |
| State: California |
| Campus: Cal Poly SLO |
Summer Springboard programs are not run by our campus partners (with the exception of Cal Poly, UW Foster and NYSID which are run in partnership with SSB). Universities and their affiliated departments and partners do not control and are not responsible or liable in any manner for any part of the Summer Springboard program.