FDSC40950 Food Health and Diet

Academic Year 2023/2024

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.

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Curricular information is subject to change

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 Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: Written assignment - Scientific Article Critique Week 4 n/a Graded No

20
Examination: End of trimester exam Week 11 No Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

30
Assignment: Assignement (essay style, video & audio or other platform) Week 10 n/a Graded No

30
Multiple Choice Questionnaire: Online mid-trimester multiple choice questions exam Throughout the Trimester n/a Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

20

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
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Online automated feedback will be given following MCQ/Final exam. Self assessment, and individual feedback will be built into the lectures dedicated for this. Written 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. Midterm MCQ - The MCQ will be completed online and will be graded automatically. End of trimester Exam- The exam will be completed online and will be graded automatically.

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.
Name Role
Dr Fiona Lalor Tutor
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 

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