MSc Nutritional Medicine

A hypothesis will be examined by the collection of data, or by analysis of the literature within a novel framework.

The programme is appropriate for GP’s, gastroenterologists, dietitians, pharmacists, other clinicians and health professionals with a role in nutrition and health practice. The Royal Medical Colleges have approved the programme for continuing professional development (CPD) as required by the General Medical Council, and it will be sought for this academic year. The programme is considered suitable for further training of dietitians for the Diploma of Advanced Dietetic Practice.

MSc and Postgraduate Diploma graduates are eligible for full professional membership of the Institute of Food Science and Technology, whereas those with a Postgraduate Certificate are eligible for Licentiate membership.

All students commence the programme with registration for four modules, to include the two core modules. Modules can be taken as stand alone units for CPD.

A Postgraduate Certificate may be awarded on the completion of four modules.

The Postgraduate Diploma may be awarded on the satisfactory completion of eight modules, two of which (the core modules) are compulsory.

Additional requirements for the MSc are a further taught module (nine in total) and a research project, which will normally be carried out at your place of work, for example, hospital, surgery, clinic or pharmacy. Literature-based projects are also acceptable if they include an additional element of complexity.

Those registering for the MSc or Postgraduate Diploma are strongly recommended to begin the programme by attending the two core modules, which are repeated every year, and must in any case take these modules at the first opportunity after registration.

The aim of the programme is to inform and educate those to whom the public turns for advice on nutritionally related aspects of health and disease and those involved in the manufacture of foods and food supplements.

Additionally it aims to:

• Provide a programme in nutritional medicine, defined as the science and practice of prevention and treatment of dysfunction and disease by nutritional means
• Provide a high-level programme, based on a fundamental understanding of nutritional science, which takes a critical and scholarly approach to relevant theory, practice, literature and latest research findings on the importance of nutrition in diet–health–disease relationships
• Provide new knowledge and understanding, for health professionals and other interested groups, of the role of nutrition in both individual and community health
• Discuss the role of diet in the development of disease
• Evaluate the potential, efficacy and scope of nutritional methods of disease prophylaxis and management
• Examine current knowledge of the specific roles of individual macro- and micronutrient deficiencies and imbalances on short- and long-term disease risk
• Explore the concept of optimal nutrition in various special situations
• Evaluate the practice, efficacy and appropriateness of the use of dietary supplements
• Develop an understanding of research methodology in the area of nutritional medicine
• Supply a programme that would serve the need for training in those aspects of nutrition identified by the Royal Colleges

On some modules, a special dinner is arranged on the theme of the module which is designed as a teaching exercise as well as a social event. Examples are:

• Antioxidant and phytoprotectant dinner (Antioxidants, Phytoprotectants and Disease module)
• Pre- and pro-biotic dinner (Diet, the Gut, Food Allergy and Intolerance module)
• Fertility buffet (Nutritional Aspects of Pregnancy Infancy and Childhood module)
• Healthy fats dinner (Lipids and Essential Fatty Acids module)
• Trace elements dinner (Dietary Minerals in Health and Disease module)
• Running buffet (Nutrition and Exercise for Health and Sports Performance module)
• Brain food dinner (The Brain and Nervous System; Diet and Behaviour module)

The increasing incidence of diet-related diseases, and the growing evidence of the role of nutrition in the prevention and treatment of disease, demonstrates the importance of nutrition in the health and wellbeing of the population. The extensive media coverage of nutritional health issues, coupled with a high level of interest from the public, testifies to the growing awareness of the importance of the subject. It is therefore especially important that nutrition and health professionals have the knowledge and evidence base to apply to their professional practice.