DN262 Human Nutrition (HMS1)

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Human Nutrition is one of the most important determinants of individual and public health. It is a rapidly evolving science that requires skilled personnel to progress our knowledge of why and how nutrition can influence health. The BSc Human Nutrition programme is aimed at students who wish to obtain an education in nutrition science and the role of nutrition in human health. This accredited programme provides students with the core knowledge and skills to understand detailed nutrient metabolism and how this influences health and disease. In addition, it draws on key facets of public health nutrition, clinical nutrition and nutrition communication to enable students to devise dietary advice based on current scientific evidence and to communicate nutrition science to different audiences both in written language and verbally. We value our students as active, motivated, autonomous learners and to think critically in terms of nutrition and its translation in health and disease. We aim to provide learning environments that will integrate teaching, research, assessment and learning, individually and through group activities so as to develop leadership, critical and reflective practice, effective communication and inquiry skills. The diversity of learning environments and methods ensures that students have a stimulating learning experience. As a result, a multifaceted learning approach is employed incorporating a diverse range of teaching and assessment methods, such as case studies, group work, project work and professional work placements. Throughout all levels, we draw heavily on research-teaching linkages, giving students access to cutting edge knowledge. 


1 - Analyse nutrition related topics, synthesize and critically assess the scientific evidence and draw concrete conclusions.
2 - Critique detailed nutrient metabolism and translate to health and disease
3 - Communicate, devise and design dietary advice based on current scientific evidence
4 - Communicate nutrition science to different audiences in written language and verbally.
5 - Develop research skills in nutrition and disseminate outcomes effectively
6 - Recognise and value the role of a nutritionist in different sectors and in society.
7 - Contribute to food related policy in different sectors and in society.
8 - Demonstrate an ability to be independent, self-directed learners
9 - Critique core and advanced concepts in human nutrition
10 - Use critical and creative thinking to motivate themselves and others and to progress understanding in nutrition
11 - Critique the role of nutrition in human health
If you are keen on pursuing a qualification in food and health with a focus on human nutrition, then this new degree programme may interest you.

Nutrition, the interaction between food and health, is becoming increasingly important in our society today. This programme will aim to give you a holistic understanding of food and health, underpinned by a strong scientific background.

Graduating as a nutritionist, you will have the skills to apply your knowledge to promote an understanding of the effects of diet and lifestyle on health and well-being in people. UCD will have this BSc accredited with the Nutrition Society. Thus all graduates will have professional accreditation as a nutritionist.
STAGE 1
Stage 1 focuses on understanding the essential core sciences, and students will also take an Introduction to Food, Diet and Health Module. Having this core basis will aid in understanding the complex metabolic processes associated with food and health.

STAGE 2
You will undertake more general food and health-related modules, where you will begin to build your knowledge of biological systems and their application to the practice of human nutrition. You will also undertake a wide range of topics including areas of food chemistry and production, sensory analysis and human nutrition.

STAGE 3
This is a full Professional Work Experience stage, which can be completed in a number of different areas, including food companies, research institutes or other health-related bodies with an interest in nutrition.

During Stage 3, you will complete a research project and will gain invaluable experience, allowing you to graduate from UCD well prepared for the workforce.

STAGE 4
The final stage of this degree will focus on more specific areas of human nutrition including Molecular Nutrition, Public Health Nutrition and Clinical Nutrition. You will consolidate your understanding of all core sciences into a professional understanding of human nutrition.

PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE
A dedicated year of Professional Work Experience in Stage 3 provides a unique opportunity to graduate, ready and equipped to enter the working world.

This work placement also provides an excellent opportunity to gain practical experience and broaden your appreciation of the food industry or of nutrition-related employment.

You can expect to be placed in national and international companies and government departments associated with the food industry or nutrition or world-class research groups in universities all over the world and at home in Ireland.
We aim to foster and encourage placement of students in world-class facilities all over the world.

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

Stage 1

In addition to 55 credits of core and option modules, students must take an elective module amounting to 5 credits.

Stage 2

In addition to the 50 credits of core modules, students must take elective modules amounting to 10 credits.

Stage 3

Students must take HNUT30170 (60 credits)

Stage 4

In addition to 50 credits of core modules students must take elective modules amounting to 10 credits.

Module ID Module Title Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
     
HNUT10020 Human Nutrition I - Understanding Nutrition Autumn 5
MATH10230 Mathematics for Agriculture I Autumn 5
MICR20010 Agricultural Microbiology Autumn 5
PATH10020 Basic Principles of Cell Biolo Autumn 5
RDEV10020 Information Skills Autumn 5
BIOL10110 Cell Biology & Genetics Spring 5
CHEM10010 Introduction to the Chemistry of Biomolecules Spring 5
HNUT10030 Physiology for Nutrition Spring 5
MATH10240 Mathematics for Agriculture II Spring 5
PHYC10190 Aspects of Physics for Ag. Sci Spring 5
Stage 1 Core Modules
     
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
CHEM10040 The Molecular World 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.
     
Stage 1 Options - A)MIN0OF:
This module may expand your knowledge and be taken in place of elective credits in the Spring trimester.
     
FDSC10010 Food Diet and Health Autumn and Spring (separate) 5
Stage 1 Options - A)MIN0OF:
This module may expand your knowledge and be taken in place of elective credits in the Spring trimester.
     
Stage 2 Core Modules
     
FDSC20010 Food Macronutrients Autumn 5
HNUT20020 Nutrition and Health Autumn 5
HNUT20070 Population Nutrition Research Autumn 5
STAT10050 Practical Statistics Autumn and Spring (separate) 5
BMOL30020 Molecular basis of disease Spring 5
FDSC20020 Nutritional Energy Metabolism Spring 5
FDSC20030 Basic Food Analysis Spring 5
HNUT20060 Human Nutrition II - Nutrients in Life Stages Spring 5
HNUT20080 Laboratory Nutrition Research Spring 5
RDEV20140 Health, Welfare & Safety in Agriculture Spring 5
Stage 2 Core Modules
     
Stage 2 Options - A)MIN0OF:
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
FDSC20110 Food Diet and Health II - Making Healthy Food Choices Autumn and Spring (separate) 5
Stage 2 Options - A)MIN0OF:
Choose your electives from any available modules across UCD or, if you prefer something related to Human Nutrition these modules are available
     
Stage 3 Core Modules
     
HNUT30170 Professional Work Experience Year-long (12 months) 60
Stage 3 Core Modules
     
Stage 4 Core Modules
     
PHPS40700 Project (Human Nutrition) 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr) 15
HNUT40020 Nutritional Metabolism Autumn 5
PHPS40610 Risk Analysis in Food Safety Autumn 5
PHPS40740 Public Health Nutrition Autumn 5
HNUT40220 Clinical Nutrition Spring 5
HNUT40240 Food Regulation Spring 5
PHPS40670 Nutrition & Communication Spring 5
PHPS40730 Molecular Nutrition Spring 5
Stage 4 Core Modules
     
Stage 4 Options - A)MIN0OF:
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
RDEV30160 Food Poverty and Policy Autumn 5
PERS30010 Appl Nutr Health Ex & Sp Perf Spring 5
Stage 4 Options - A)MIN0OF:
Choose your electives from any available modules across UCD or, if you prefer something related to Human Nutrition these modules are available:
     
See the UCD Assessment website for further details

Module Weighting Info  
  Award GPA
Programme Module Weightings Rule Description Description >= <=
BHLSC005 Stage 4 - 70.00%
Stage 2 - 30.00%
Standard Honours Award First Class Honours

3.68

4.20

Second Class Honours, Grade 1

3.08

3.67

Second Class Honours, Grade 2

2.48

3.07

Pass

2.00

2.47


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