Module Catalogue

NUT1008 : Practical and Career Development Skills for Nutrition

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Available for Study Abroad and Exchange students, subject to proof of pre-requisite knowledge.
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Helen Mason
  • Lecturer: Dr Fiona Malcomson, Dr Julie Young
  • Other Staff: Mrs Lisa Rippingale
  • Owning School: Biomedical, Nutritional and Sports Scien
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 2 Credit Value: 10
ECTS Credits: 5.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

This module has three core aims:

1. To provide students with competencies in practical skills relevant to the study of the nutritional sciences.

2. To develop an awareness of employability skills that graduate employers desire.

3. To develop career planning skills and encourage students to reflect on how these skills can be developed throughout their university career and beyond.

Outline Of Syllabus

Laboratory-based practical sessions will develop data collection, analysis and presentation skills relevant to nutrition, biochemistry and microbiology.

Career development sessions will focus on employability skills related to gaining wider work experience such as job search strategies, effective CV writing, pre-interview applications, proficiency tests, and interview technique.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Structured Guided LearningLecture materials71:007:00Delivery of practical information before each practical session. Non-synch pre-recorded with pre-practical quiz to check understanding.
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion11:001:00PIP Professional skills assessment part two - computer assessment.
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion21:002:00PIP - Professional skills assessment part one - preparation and completion of the lab exercise component.
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion62:0012:00Non-sync - completion of data analysis and interpretation from practical sessions. Complete post-practical quiz.
Guided Independent StudyDirected research and reading111:0011:00Non-sync background reading prior to practical sessions. Completion of pre-practical tasks and numeracy calculations.
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesPractical13:003:00PIP - Practical session: Nutrition (green tea)
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesPractical14:004:00PIP - Practical Sessions: Immunology
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesPractical52:0010:00PIP - Practical sessions. Biochemistry & Microbiology
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesWorkshops71:007:00PIP - Delivery of sessions to develop students' numeracy skills, and career planning and development skills.
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesWorkshops42:008:00PIP – Delivery of workshops linked to career planning and development.
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesWorkshops62:0012:00Sync-online - Support for data analysis linked to practical sessions
Guided Independent StudyReflective learning activity41:004:00Non-sync independent completion of reflective logs related to career planning skills
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study117:0017:00Independent wider reading of topics
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesModule talk21:002:00PIP - Introduction and concluding lectures for Practical Skills and Career Development Skills in Nutrition.
Total100:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lecture materials will be provided online in advance of each laboratory session and must be completed before the student can attend the laboratory session on campus. The lecture content will include a presentation introducing the practical session, the relevant health and safety rules, the laboratory handbook, and animations/videos to facilitate students’ understanding of the methodology. An online quiz will assess students’ understanding of the principles and must be completed before the student is allowed to attend the laboratory session.

Laboratory-based practical sessions develop the knowledge and understanding of the underlying principles of essential practical techniques commonly used by nutritionists, and an awareness of safe laboratory practice. Students will develop their skills in recording, analysing, and presenting biological data (critical thinking, data synthesis and numeracy).

Workshops are provided to consolidate and develop students’ knowledge of biology, chemistry and maths relevant to the practical sessions.

Lectures and workshops related to career planning encourage students to actively plan and prepare for job applications, interviews and assessment centres. Students reflect on their individual current skillset and identify SMART targets for their continuing professional development (CPD).

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Prof skill assessmnt2M100PIP - Skills Assessment
Formative Assessments

Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.

Description Semester When Set Comment
Reflective log2MFour reflective logs (250-300 words each) reviewing current skillset and identifying SMART targets for CPD
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The practical skills assessment will consist of two sections. The lab-based component will assess students’ ability to perform basic laboratory techniques. The computer assessment will assess students’ ability to analyse and interpret biological data.


The four short reflective logs use the STARR model of reflective practice to critically reflect on their current skillset and professional experience. Students will identify SMART targets to identify training needs as part of continuing professional development (CPD).

Pre and Post online work is available to support students in completing their skills assessment. It is in students’ best interests to understand and complete all work associated with each practical, as it may be assessed in the practical skills assessment.


For 2024/25 Entry only
BSc Human Nutrition and BSc Nutrition with Food Marketing candidates must obtain a mark of 40 or above in each component of assessment in order to pass the module.

Reading Lists

Timetable