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HNUT40290

Academic Year 2025/2026

Human Nutrition I for MSc (HNUT40290)

Subject:
Human Nutrition
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Agriculture & Food Science
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Aifric O'Sullivan
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module is designed to give a comprehensive overview of macronutrients (protein, carbohydrate, fat and alcohol) and micronutrients (vitamins, minerals and trace elements), the functions of each and diseases associated with deficencies or excess intakes. We will also look at the food sources of nutrients, our requirements across the life span and the national food based dietary guidelines recommended to ensure adequate intakes.

Tutorial classes will allow you to explore the most up to date pubished nutrition research related to macro and micronutrients. You will be supported to work through your major assignment for this module during the tutorial sessions which will challenge you to search for and critique cutting edge research related to a nutrients foods and diets. The tutorial classes are mandatory and will cover your continuous assessment for this module.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:
Describe the function and dietary sources of macronutrients
Describe the function and dietary sources of vitamins, minerals and trace elements
Demonstrate a knowledge of deficiencies associated with macronutrients and micronutrient
Interpret and use dietary recommendations
Critque peer-reviewed published research related to nutrients foods and diets

Indicative Module Content:

Functions, requirements, food sources of carbohydrate, protein and fat
Introduction to macronutrient metabolism
Functions, requirements, food sources of vitamins and minerals
Introduction to micronutrient deficiency diseases and disease related to micronutrient status
Peer-reviewed and publised nutrition research related to nutrients foods and diets

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Tutorial

12
Autonomous Student Learning

70
Total

106

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
There are 12 weeks of teaching on this module.

You have two 1-hour face-to-face lectures each week.
Lecture outlines will be available online in advance, but lectures will cover additional detail beyond the slides; attendance is essential for full understanding.

You have one 2-hour tutorials each week - some will be face-to-face, others will be online.
The tutorials will be built around a series of tasks that are designed to deepen your knowledge of human nutrition research related to the module content. Tutorial time will contribute to your major assignment for this module.

You will have 3 short question online exams distributed throughout the semester. These exams will be supervised in a dedicated PC lab in UCD (location TBC).

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: 3. Online short question exam including multiple choice, true/false, and short answer questions. Week 12 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
10
 No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: 1. Online short question exam including multiple choice, true/false, and short answer questions. Week 5 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
10
 No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: 2. Online short question exam including multiple choice, true/false, and short answer questions. Week 9 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
10
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Case Study Assignment Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
70
 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

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

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Short question exams - students will receive online automated feedback on their grade post-assessment and can request indivdual feedback. Case study assignment - students will receive a marking rubric for self assessment while working on their case study assignments. Case study assignment - students will recieve group/class feedback, post-assessment on the case study assignment and can request individual feedback.

Name Role
Dr Janine Wirth Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Katie Davies Tutor

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Mon 10:00 - 10:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Wed 14:00 - 14:50
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