MSc Human Nutrition - subject to validation

Honours degree (2.2 or better) in nutrition or a related subject (for example, a biological science including biochemistry and physiology), or a registrable qualification in medicine, dentistry or veterinary medicine. Applicants may also be admitted by virtue of professional or other relevant qualifications and/or experience.

Selection is based on a candidate’s application and references, with those resident in the UK normally invited to attend an interview.

English language requirements

IELTS minimum overall: 7.0

IELTS minimum by component: 6.5

All fees are subject to increase or review for subsequent academic years. Please note that not all visa routes permit part-time study and overseas students entering the UK on a Tier 4 visa will not be permitted to study on a part-time basis.

Modules

Semester 1

• Fundamentals of Nutrition
• Nutritional Evaluation and Assessment
• Metabolic Nutrition
• International and Public Health Nutrition

Semester 2

• Research Nutrition
• Molecular Nutrition
• Sports and Exercise Nutrition
• Clinical Nutrition

Summer project period

• Original research project

Module descriptions

Fundamentals of Nutrition (15 credits)

This module, organised by Dr Adam Collins, will include: macronutrients; micronutrients; food science; nutrition through the lifecycle; nutrients in health and disease.

Nutritional Evaluation and Assessment (15 credits)

This module, organised by Dr Adam Collins, will include: the assessment of nutritional status (theory); practical nutrition techniques (energy expenditure, glycaemic index, gut transit, body composition, biochemical and dietary analysis); the appreciation of research methodology (including stable isotopes, balance techniques).

Metabolic Nutrition (15 credits)

This module, organised by Professor Bruce Griffin, will include: energy balance; appetite regulation and control; energy expenditure and energy metabolism; lipid and lipoprotein metabolism; metabolic disorders (for example, obesity, metabolic syndrome).

International and Public Health Nutrition (15 credits)

This module, organised by Dr Michelle Gibbs, will include: determinants of health/health statistics and use of nutritional data; nutrition policy, guidelines and regulations; policy in practice; UK food supply and sustainability; malnutrition and malnourished populations; challenges for international nutrition (including double/triple burden of disease); implementing nutrition interventions; emergency nutrition.

Research Nutrition (15 credits)

This module, organised by Professor Sue Lanham-New, will include: research design; critical appraisal of research publications; analysis of scientific data (quantitative and qualitative); the use of SPSS and other statistical packages; writing a research protocol; research ethics; presenting scientific findings. You will develop a working research protocol and submit an application to university ethics (if applicable), in order to progress to your original research project.

Sports and Exercise Nutrition (15 credits)

This module, organised by Dr Adam Collins, will include: exercise physiology (theory and practical); the energy and macronutrient demands of exercise; fluids and hydration; nutrition and the female athlete; supplements and ergogenic aids (including a practical evaluation of sports nutrition products); applying sports nutrition in the field; the role of the sports nutritionist. You will be assessed on a critical appraisal of the nutritional concerns of a chosen sport.

Clinical Nutrition (15 credits)

This module, organised by Dr Barbara Engel, will include: obesity and disordered eating; dietary and pharmacological treatment of diabetes; metabolic response to stress/trauma; immuno-nutrition; GI; liver and renal disease; adverse reactions to foods.

Molecular Nutrition (15 credits)

This module is organised by Dr Ruan Elliott. Molecular biological approaches provide the key to unlocking cell signalling and other mechanisms by which dietary components impact upon human health. This module will take you through the molecular biology tool box, including structural and functional genomic methods, showing how these tools have provided key insights into homeostatic control mechanisms, how they can play a role in biomarker development and how they are being used to forge links between genetics, epigenetics and individual dietary requirements.

Original Research Project (60 credits)

You will produce a 12–15,000-word dissertation based on original research, alongside an assessed presentation of your research findings. The research project will be based on the research protocol and ethics application (if applicable) submitted as part of the Research Nutrition module.

You will be assigned a suitable supervisor from within the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences. You may also elect to collaborate with external organisations or individuals as co-supervisors. This part of the programme is organised by Dr Denise Robertson.