FDSC40950

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

1. Identify and describe the functions, dietary sources, and metabolic roles of macro- and micronutrients, and assess the health effects of deficiency or excess.
2. Calculate and interpret individual energy needs and explain the components of energy balance.
3. Analyse how nutrient requirements are determined and how they inform public health policy and consumer guidance.
4. Evaluate variations in nutrient needs across age groups, genders, physiological states and physical activity levels.
5. Compare and contrast dietary reference values and food-based dietary guidelines across different global regions.
6. Communicate nutrition concepts and evidence-based recommendations effectively in academic and professional contexts.

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:

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:

TEACHING AND LEARNING APPROACHES
The module uses a range of teaching and learning methods, including recorded lectures, reflective learning, enquiry and problem-based learning, and interactive tutorials. Students will build on existing knowledge and apply it by creating authentic pieces of work. Reflective and enquiry-based approaches will be used to deepen understanding, while active learning will be a key feature of the interactive tutorials.

All material (slides, recorded lectures, assignments, instructions) will be available in Brightspace. Students are responsible for attending/watching 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 to this, or speak to the module coordinator and/or tutor.

REFERENCING
All coursework and assignments in the module must follow the Harvard Referencing Style. Both in-text citations and a full reference list are required to acknowledge all sources. Proper referencing is essential to avoid plagiarism and to allow others to locate and evaluate the research. Guidance and examples are available on the UCD Library resource 'Cite Them Right' and in the Brightspace page of the module.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Students are responsible for ensuring the academic integrity of all assessments submitted in this module, in accordance with the UCD Plagiarism Policy. The module coordinator will take all necessary steps to verify the integrity of submitted work.

USE OF GENERATIVE AI TOOLS
The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) and Large Language Models (LLMs) is prohibited for any coursework, assessments, or submissions in this module unless explicit permission has been granted by the module coordinator. Unauthorised use, or failure to properly acknowledge and cite these tools when permitted, will be considered plagiarism and academic misconduct under UCD’s Academic Integrity Policy.

POLICY UPDATES
All policies, related documents, and forms are subject to amendment. Students should regularly consult the UCD Registry, Secretariat and Library websites for the most current versions of policies, regulations and guidelines.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.

Module Requisites and Incompatibles

Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy

 

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.