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FDSC40950

Academic Year 2024/2025

Food Health and Diet (FDSC40950)

Subject:
Food Science
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Agriculture & Food Science
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Aleksandra Konic Ristic
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
Online
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

The module introduces the fundamental principles of human nutrition and nutritional science in general. It defines nutrients and nutrient and energy balance, describes macronutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, fat, and alcohol), their metabolism in the human body and how it is regulated. It addresses micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), their specific roles in development and health, main dietary sources, and the consequences of their deficiencies and excessive intakes. The module defines nutritional recommendations and food-based dietary guidelines, describes the scientific principles underlying both, the difference between them and explains the variation in the latter across the globe, highlighting the importance of environmentally sustainable approach. Nutritional requirements across the life span and specific requirements depending on gender, physiological conditions or activity level are addressed as well.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

After successful completion of the module students are expected to be able to:
- Identify macro and micronutrients required for normal development and health, explain their major functions in the body, main dietary sources, metabolism, and the effects of insufficient and excessive intakes.
- Explain the meaning of energy balance and describe methods to calculate energy needs.
- Understand the nutrient requirements for healthy and balanced diet, how they are determined and how this information affects consumers and public policies.
- Explain how nutritional requirements differ between individuals, depending on age, gender, physiological conditions, and physical activity level.
- Describe the concepts of nutritional requirements and recommendations compared to food-based dietary guidelines.
- Discuss dietary guidelines acknowledging both the environmental sustainability and factors that determine food choice.

Indicative Module Content:

Fundamentals in Human Nutrition and Nutrition Science; Sustainable diet; Nutrient Requirements for healthy and balanced diet; Food-based dietary guidelines; Macronutrients and their role in heath and disease; Energy balance; Nutrient balance; Micronutrients and their role in heath and disease; Challenges and hot topics in nutrition; Overnutrition and undernutrition; Food Choice; Factors determining nutrient requirements (age, gender, physiological state, physical activity).

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Tutorial

6

Autonomous Student Learning

96

Online Learning

12

Total

114


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The key teaching and learning approaches used in this module are
Lectures
Learning through examples and case studies
Problem based and active/task-based learning

All material (slides, recorded lectures) will be available in Brightspace.
Students are responsible for attending the lectures, reading lecture material as suggested, completing homework and assignments. Students are advised to note any questions they may have on the material and ask these during lectures dedicated for this, or speak to the module coordinator and/or tutor.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Quizzes/Short Exercises: A short quiz combining MCQs and short answers to assess knowledge and its application on the topics delivered in Weeks 1-4. Week 5 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

10

No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: A short quiz combining MCQs and short answers to assess knowledge and its application on the topics delivered in Weeks 5-8. Week 9 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

10

No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: A short quiz combining MCQs and short answers to assess knowledge and its application on the topics delivered in Weeks 9-11. Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

10

No
Assignment(Including Essay): Assignment 1: A brief review of the scientific evidence available on one particular nutritional topic addressing the role of diet in promoting health and preventing major diet-related diseases Week 9 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

25

No
Reflective Assignment: Self-assessment (optional), peer review and reflection supported by PeerScholar on draft for Assignment 1 Week 8 Pass/Fail Grade Scale No

5

No
Individual Project: Assignment 2: A rationale for original research that addresses an existing knowledge gap or a critical review of the existing innovative solutions for challenges in the area of diet, health& nutrition Week 14 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

35

No
Reflective Assignment: Self-assessment (optional), peer review and reflection supported by PeerScholar on draft of Assignment 2 Week 12 Pass/Fail Grade Scale No

5

No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 1 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback
• Peer review activities
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Online automated feedback will be given following quizzes. Assignment 1 - Students will be provided with feedback following the submission of their work. This feedback will be given in written form - a general feedback, alongside things completed well, and aspects for improvement. Assignment 2 - Students will be provided with feedback following the submission of their work. This feedback will be given in written form - a general feedback, alongside things completed well, and aspects for improvement.

Lanham-New, S., Hill, Thomas R., Gallagher, A., Vorster, H.H. & Nutrition Society (Great Britain). 2019. Introduction to human nutrition. 3rd ed. Hoboken: Wiley Blackwell.