Module Details

Module Code: BIOL9017
Title: Contemporary Nutrition Issues
Long Title: Contemporary Nutrition Issues
NFQ Level: Expert
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2023/24 ( September 2023 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 4211 - Biochemistry & Cell Biology
Module Delivered in: 1 programme(s)
Module Description: To provide a current awareness and understanding of contemporary issues in nutrition & health including new policies and opinions relating to nutrition and health
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Critically assess current policy and scientific opinions in relation to nutrition and health
LO2 Critically appraise new studies on diet and health that have gained traction in published/web media or scientific community
LO3 Critically evaluate the role of the food supply with respect to planetary health
LO4 Critically appraise viable solutions to food, nutrition and sustainability challenges of the future.
LO5 Produce a professional scientific report and communicate the content through an oral presentation
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Policy documents and scientific opinions
An insight into the current scientific and regulatory bodies nationally and internationally in relation to nutrition & health (e.g. WHO (World Health Organisation), EFSA (European Food Safety Authority), FSAI (Food Safety Authority of Ireland), IOM (Institute of Medicine), USDA (United States, Dept Agriculture)), Overview of key documents in relation to non-communicable diseases and the role of diet in health & disease
Selected Hot Topics in Nutrition
An insight into current hot topics in nutrition and health and an overview of the current evidence on the topic. Topics may be wide and varied but will be of current importance/relevance in the public domain -e.g. microbiome, nutrient profiling, reformulation, taxes on unhealthy foods and beverages, biofortification, double burden of malnutrition, plant-based diets Planetary health
Planetary health
An insight into the role of the diet in sustainable living-balancing planetary and human health, with focus on current literature including the EAT-Lancet Commission report on Food, Planet and Health
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Written Report % of Total Mark 10
Timing Week 10 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5
Assessment Description
Draft of written scientific report critically evaluating the evidence of a current topic in nutrition & health for feedback
Assessment Type Written Report % of Total Mark 60
Timing Sem End Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5
Assessment Description
Written scientific report critically evaluating the evidence of a current topic in nutrition & health (~2500 words)
Assessment Type Presentation % of Total Mark 30
Timing Sem End Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5
Assessment Description
Oral presentation on summary of written report
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Online lectures Every Week 2.00 2
Directed Learning Non Contact Review of lecture material and recommended external material Every Week 5.00 5
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 2.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Online lectures Every Week 2.00 2
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Review of lecture material and recommended external material Every Week 5.00 5
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 2.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Geissler & Power (editors). (2023), Human Nutrition 14E, Oxford University Press.
  • Lovegrove, Hodson, Sharma, Lanham-New (Editors). (2015), Nutrition Research Methodologies, Wiley, [ISBN: 978-1-118-554].
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_SNUHA_9 Master of Science in Nutrition & Health Analytics 4 Mandatory