module specification

This module aims to:
• Explore the fundamental physiological and nutritional influences between genetic, physiological, environmental and nutritional influences on human growth and development throughout the lifespan.
• Students will develop an awareness of the short and long-term consequences for growth and development if these factors are not optimal.
• The concept of nutritional assessment and surveillance and the evaluation of different nutritional assessment systems.
• Introduce indices of nutritional status and the use of reference standards.
• Provide opportunity for the evaluation of population and individual data of nutritional status including the collection and interpretation of anthropometric data.
• This module will also provide students with the qualities and transferable skills
• necessary for employment requiring the exercise of some personal responsibility;
• decision making in complex and unpredictable contexts; and the learning ability needed to undertake appropriate further training of a professional or equivalent nature
Semester: year (15 credit)

NU5002 (Nutrition Science 1)

The specified learning outcomes will be developed around a framework based on the following subject matter:
Pregnancy and reproduction, maternal nutritional status, foetal origins of adult disease: LO1, LO2
Lactation & neo-natal nutrition, maternal metabolic adaptations, energy/nutrient cost of lactation, composition of breast milk, foetal metabolic and hormonal adaptations to life outside the womb LO1, LO2
Early growth, infant feeding LO1, LO2
Puberty, hormonal and nutritional changes and influences, bone health LO1, LO2
Body composition LO1, LO2, LO3
Hormonal and nutrition influences LO1, LO2, LO3
Ageing LO1, LO2, LO3
Nutritional assessment and surveillance LO1, LO2, LO3
Determinants of nutritional status, including wider determinants of health, nutritional and socioeconomic factors. LO1, LO2, LO3
Indices of nutritional status and the use of reference standards. LO1, LO2, LO3
Collection and interpretation of anthropometric data LO3

Acquisition of knowledge of the subject matter of this module will be promoted through lecturer-led lectures (28 hours) and tutorial workshops (15 hours); and through the guided use of student-centred learning resources (94 hours). Practical classes and small group work (3 hours) will be used to consolidate the student with guidance for directed activities (10 hours).

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate knowledge of the interplay between genetics; physiology;
nutritional and hormonal factors over the various stages of the life cycle in the
determination of growth and development and use, and apply appropriate
anthropometric measurements to determine aspects body composition.
2. Critically evaluate the main physiological and nutritional influences on pregnancy
and reproductive function and the implications of these for the health of the mother and
infant and acquire and evaluate published and experimental data in the field of growth
and development
3. Appraise information relevant to the nutritional status of a population and handle
and interpret data relating to body composition.

This module will be summatively assessed by a piece of coursework (scientific report) (used to provide formative feedback; 2000 words). Students will undertake
experimental studies measuring their own body composition. The findings will be
submitted as a scientific eport and a progress unseen exam (1.5 hours).

Component                                             Marks                                               Learning outcomes
Written report (2000 words)                 40%                                                1, 3
Progress unseen exam(1.5 hours)    60%                                                1, 2

ACC/SCN. (2004)  Assessment of nutritional status Fourth and Fifth Reports on the
World Nutrition Situation. New York. UN.101
Cogill, B (2003) Anthropometric Indicators Measurement Guide. Food and Nutrition
Technical Assistance Project. Washington D.C. Academy for Educational Development.
Gibson RS. (2005)  Principles of  Nutritional Assessment,  Oxford University Press
[CORE]
Gibson RS (1993) Nutritional Assessment A Laboratory Manual. Oxford University Press
Smith JL, Carr T Gropper SS. (2017) Advanced Nutrition and Metabolism.  London. 
Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.
Geissler CG, Powers H (2017) Human Nutrition 13th Edn
London. Elsevier