Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

MRes Programme admission requirements only

Co Requisite Comment

Students wishing to graduate with the MRes in Human Nutrition Science must complete and pass this module. The module is open to all other MRes students.

Aims

This module aims to:

• provide an in-depth understanding of the role of nutrition in humans throughout the lifecourse, in health and disease;
• develop skills of students in the design and conduct research studies in nutrition
• explore contemporary issues in human nutrition research;
• develop critical appraisal skills of students as applied to the published literature related to human nutrition.

Outline Of Syllabus

The module will cover fundamentals to human nutrition, nutrition research skills (for example preclinical models, dietary assessment, intervention studies, and epidemiological studies) and contemporary issues in nutrition research. The module will be delivered via a series of lectures and workshops given by experts in the research areas covered.

Topics will include:
• Introduction to and fundamentals of nutrition (e.g., macronutrients and micronutrients, dietary requirements, assessment of nutrient status)
• Nutrition in health (e.g., ageing, sports nutrition)
• Nutrition and disease (e.g., cancer, obesity, type 2 diabetes, mental illness)
• Public health nutrition and food security
• Nutrition in health (e.g., aging and lifestyle/sport)

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

At the end of the module, students should be able to:
• provide an in-depth explanation of the principles of nutritional requirements across the lifecourse;
• discuss critically and with reference to the literature, recent developments in our understanding of human nutrition in health and disease

Intended Skill Outcomes

At the end of the module, students should be able to:
• Critically appraise, interpret, evaluate and communicate nutritional research studies;
• Assess relevant and recent literature and place it in the context of their existing knowledge;
• Evaluate different research methods and skills applied in nutrition research; and propose and communicate , with justification and explanation, the design of nutritional research studies.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures will form the core teaching method and provide key knowledge and concepts for students to build on during their self-directed studies and additional reading. Through the use of example research studies and case studies, students will be introduced to critically appraising and evaluating such studies, further enhancing their critical and analytical skills.

Workshops will provide information and exercises focused on summative assessments as well as provide an opportunity for a Q&A session. There will also be two workshops demonstrating methods for assessments of dietary intake and of anthropometrics/body composition, all key methods used in nutritional research.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The oral presentation assessment will be based on critical appraisal of a recent nutrition research paper related to one of the syllabus topics, selected by the student and approved by the module team. It will test the application of knowledge, understanding of nutritional issues, and ability to critically assess and interpret scientific research. It will also provide an opportunity to develop and to test oral communication and presentation skills. Students will prepare and deliver the presentation individually, and each student will select a different paper.

The written research proposals will test the understanding of key and contemporary nutrition issues covered within the syllabus topics, as well as the ability to present the rationale for, and design of, nutritional studies, and potential impact of study results in health and disease. This activity will also develop written communication skills, particularly with respect to the research setting (i.e., research/grant proposal writing). A proforma will be provided.

General Notes

We will encourage students to attend the weekly HNERC Research Seminar series. This will provide students with the opportunity to learn about the latest evidence from experts in the field on contemporary nutrition issues in a research community setting.
As part of the practical/workshop sessions on physiological and anthropometric measures, students will be required to undertake measurements such as blood pressure, weight, height, skinfold, breadth and girth. Students will not be under any obligation to be a service user, and consent to participant will be sought.