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Human Nutrition

BSc (NFQ Level 8)
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Sustainable Development Goals

This course is available through the following application route(s)

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Nutrition – the interaction between food and health – is becoming increasingly important in society. This degree covers many aspects of nutritional sciences, from biochemistry to molecular and public health nutrition, and also includes topics such as nutrition communication and food regulatory affairs. Upon graduating, you’ll be able to apply your knowledge to many different areas of the food and health industry.

About This Course

The early years focus on core sciences and general food and health modules, which build your knowledge of biological systems and their application to human nutrition. In third year you complete a ten-month Professional Work Experience (PWE) placement. Final year focuses on specific areas of human nutrition.

Students spend an average of 40 hours a week attending lectures and tutorials, participating in laboratory workshops, and undertake independent study.

A combination of end-of-trimester written examinations and continuous assessment is used. In third and fourth year, you’ll complete comprehensive research projects.

The Human Nutrition Programme at UCD is accredited by the Association for Nutrition.

A 10-month PWE programme allows you to graduate with the skills necessary to enter the working world.

Opportunities for international study exist through the PWE component and, upon graduation, through world-class research groups in international universities.

Graduates have found employment in:

  • The food industry
  • Nutrition research
  • Health promotion

You can also train as a public health nutritionist through further study and/ or applied practice. A number of students also progress to postgraduate taught study each year with the MSc in Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics programme at UCD a particularly popular option.

Building a healthy world is a core strategy for UCD and the internationally recognised research groups in food and health have resulted in substantially increased recruitment into PhD and MSc (research) posts.

UCD Agriculture and Food Science Programme Office,
Agriculture and Food Science Centre,
Belfield,
Dublin 4
Tel: +353 1 716 7194
Email:agandfoodprogrammes@ucd.ie
Web:www.ucd.ie/agfood

Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
 HNUT10020 Human Nutrition I - Understanding Nutrition Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 MATH10230 Mathematics for Agriculture I Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 MICR20010 Agricultural Microbiology Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 RDEV10020 Information Skills Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 FDSC10010 Food Diet and Health Autumn and Spring (separate)  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 BIOL10110 Cell Biology & Genetics Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 BMOL10030 Biomedical Sciences: Understanding Human Disease. Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 CHEM10010 Introduction to the Chemistry of Biomolecules Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 HNUT10030 Physiology for Nutrition Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 PHYC10190 Aspects of Physics for Ag. Sci Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - 1 of:
Students must select either Introductory Chemistry (Agriculture) CHEM 00020 or The Molecular World CHEM 10040. Students without an honours grade in higher level Leaving Certificate Chemistry are recommended to take CHEM 00020.
CHEM00020 Introductory Chemistry Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - 1 of:
Students must select either Introductory Chemistry (Agriculture) CHEM 00020 or The Molecular World CHEM 10040. Students without an honours grade in higher level Leaving Certificate Chemistry are recommended to take CHEM 00020.
CHEM10040 The Molecular World Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 FDSC20010 Food Macronutrients Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 HNUT20020 Nutrition and Health Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 HNUT20070 Population Nutrition Research Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 STAT10050 Practical Statistics Autumn and Spring (separate)  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 BMOL30020 Molecular basis of disease Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 FDSC20020 Nutritional Energy Metabolism Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 FDSC20030 Food Analysis Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 HNUT20060 Human Nutrition II - Nutrients in Life Stages Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 HNUT20080 Laboratory Nutrition Research Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 RDEV20140 Health, Welfare & Safety in Agriculture Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Choose your electives from any available modules across UCD or, if you prefer something related to Human Nutrition these modules are available
 FDSC20240 Professional Skills Developmen Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Choose your electives from any available modules across UCD or, if you prefer something related to Human Nutrition these modules are available
 FDSC20110 Food Diet and Health II - Making Healthy Food Choices Autumn and Spring (separate)  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
 HNUT30170 Professional Work Experience Year-long (12 months)  60
Stage 4 Core Modules
 PHPS40700 Project (Human Nutrition) 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)  15
Stage 4 Core Modules
 HNUT40020 Nutritional Metabolism Autumn  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
 PHPS40610 Risk Analysis in Food Safety Autumn  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
 PHPS40740 Public Health Nutrition Autumn  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
 HNUT40220 Clinical Nutrition Spring  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
 HNUT40240 Food Regulation Spring  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
 PHPS40670 Nutrition & Communication Spring  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
 PHPS40730 Molecular Nutrition Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Choose your electives from any available modules across UCD or, if you prefer something related to Human Nutrition these modules are available:
 FDSC30040 Food Chemistry I Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Choose your electives from any available modules across UCD or, if you prefer something related to Human Nutrition these modules are available:
 RDEV30160 Food Poverty and Policy Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Choose your electives from any available modules across UCD or, if you prefer something related to Human Nutrition these modules are available:
 PERS30010 Appl Nutr Health Ex & Sp Perf Spring  5

SDG2 SDG3 SDG4 SDG8 SDG 12 SDG 13 SDG 14 SDG 15

 

The UN Sustainable Development Goals present a collective roadmap for fostering peace and prosperity for both people and the planet, both now and in the future. In the Human Nutrition program, students delve into the foundations of nutritional knowledge within the framework of these UN Sustainable Goals. At its core, nutrition is about the interplay between food and our health. And in a sustainable food system, the provision of a diet that maintains health and prevents disease is paramount.

As an integral part of the program, leading experts guide students to explore various aspects relevant to sustainability. These include food production, processing, consumption, and their impact on global resources and the environment. The vision of sustainability within the Human Nutrition Program aligns with the ethos of the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science. Here, the teaching and research programs span the entire food chain, from on-farm food production to human nutrition and health, offering a diverse range of career opportunities for graduates in Ireland and internationally. In addition to this the programme relates to the relevant UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s): 

  • Zero Hunger (SDG 2)
  • Good Health and Well-being (SGD3)
  • Quality Education (SDG4)
  • Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG8)
  • Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12)
  • Climate Action (SDG 13)
  • Life Below Water (SDG 14)
  • Life on Land (SDG 15)

I’m a student from Spain, studying my third year of Human Nutrition at UCD. Going to UCD has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. At first, it is difficult to leave everything behind, but it is amazing how we can quickly start developing a new life in a different country.

UCD is a huge campus and is always full of people. There are a lot of activities going on during the week and when the weather is nice you can really enjoy the green areas on campus. There are lots of international students here and it has been really great getting to know them. Studying at UCD has been a great experience and I would recommend to anyone to study here and to enjoy living in the amazing city of Dublin.

Miriam Mitxelena, Spain

Non-EU Undergraduate Fee information can be found here.

UCD offers a number of competitive undergraduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD undergraduate degree programme. For information on Undergraduate Scholarships, please see the UCD International Scholarships webpage.

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General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Human Nutrition:

ROWCLASS Apply to   Application Type  
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Human Nutrition
Bachelor of Science		 Commencing 2024/2025 September Undergraduate Degree (Non EU)
Non EU Undergraduates		 Apply
showAudience-audienceEU DN262
Human Nutrition
Bachelor of Science
Full-Time
Commencing 2024/2025 September
 Application through CAO Apply via CAO
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