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DIET40120

Academic Year 2024/2025

MSc Clin Nutr & Diet Dissert (DIET40120)

Subject:
Dietetics
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Public Hlth, Phys & Sports Sci
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
30
Module Coordinator:
Dr Clare Reynolds
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
Module Type:
Clinical Module
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Research skills are fine-tuned in the MSc Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Dissertation module, whereby students work with an academic supervisor to conduct a research project, statistically analyse their data and prepare a thesis based on two elements: a critical review of the literature in a specified topical area of nutrition/dietetics and an original publication for submission to a peer-reviewed journal.

Students will be assigned an individualized final year project (and project supervisor) decided upon by the academic team.

The specific first and final draft deadline dates will be specified each year by the Project Module Coordinator. The project thesis template includes an Introduction, Hypothesis, Aim and Objectives, Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusions / Future Perspectives and References.

All students will complete an oral presentation outlining these key aspects of their research project. The project presentations usually occur within about 2 weeks of the thesis deadline.

All students are required to fill in an ethical application form and attach, as an appendix, to the research submission. This ensures that when working on a project with prior ethical approval, the student still demonstrates an ability to identify potential ethical issues associated with the research conducted and gains experiential learning in the ethical approval process.

The MSc Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Dissertation is a core module for the MSc in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this module students should be able to demonstrate:

i. In-depth understanding of an advanced research topic and generation of new material to advance the current state-of-the-art.
ii. Understanding of the ethical considerations, approval process and ability to complete an ethical application form.
iii. Ability to undertake an academic study in a self-directed and professional manner.
iv. Aptitude to analyse and present the results of the scientific investigation accurately using statistical analysis appropriate to the properties of the data collected.
v. Logical and valid conclusions based on the results of their enquiry.
vi. Effective research communication skills, with an appreciation of how knowledge must be adapted to suit the audience.
vii. Understanding of the implications of the research findings, including ethical, therapeutic and/or public health.

Indicative Module Content:

Module content will reflect the theme of the individual projects assigned to each student.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

396

Lectures

18

Project Supervision

36

Total

450


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Active research project based learning
Lectures
Problem-based learning
Critical writing
Student presentations

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Equivalents:
MSc Clin Nutr & Diet Dissert (PHPS40940)


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Participation in Learning Activities: Supervisor mark Week 15 Graded No
10
No
Participation in Learning Activities: Dissertation presentation Week 15 Graded No
20
No
Thesis/Dissertation: Draft dissertation Week 8 Graded No
10
No
Thesis/Dissertation: Final dissertation Week 12 Graded No
60
No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

The student will work with their project supervisor. The project supervisor will provide feedback at project meetings. The clinical / academic supervisor will provide feedback based upon the first draft of the literature review and research paper.