Year 1
Food Quality and Production (Mandatory)
Healthy populations require food that is of an appropriate nutritional quality and safe for consumption. This module therefore introduces students to some of the ways in which food production and processing influences nutritional quality and food safety, and subsequently human health. Students are also introduced to food spoilage and food contaminants (microbiological, chemicals, natural toxins), and some of the measures used to prevent harm from these sources.
Biochemistry (Mandatory)
This module is designed to give a solid foundation on which to build further study in biological science. It will investigate the fundamentals of biochemistry starting from basic atomic structure and bonding to then focus on the structure, function and metabolism of macromolecules. Students with differing levels of previous knowledge of chemistry and biology will be introduced to the range of processes taking place within the body at a molecular level.
Human Physiology 1 (Mandatory)
A thorough understanding of human physiology and the maintenance of homeostasis are key facets in a range of scientific disciplines. In this module, students will study the way in which different cells, tissues, organs and systems contribute to homeostasis from a theoretical perspective.
Science Skills (Mandatory)
This module will provide you with the core skills required to carry out basic scientific procedures and communicate their research in an appropriate scientific format. The module is based on a series of practical sessions and is designed to develop the skills required for subsequent advanced modules on the course.
Introduction to Nutrition and Health Sciences (Mandatory)
Nutrition is a multidisciplinary subject that amongst other areas draws upon biochemistry, physiology, psychology, food science, cell biology and global human health. This module is intended to draw together these areas together to allow students to see the bigger picture and appreciate that nutrition requires a knowledge of all of these areas and how they interplay. The module will cover a breadth of topics and attempt to find the links and demonstrate the necessity for a multidisciplinary approach.
Human Physiology 2 (Mandatory)
Valid and reliable measurements are of vital importance in understanding human physiological function, which in itself is the foundation of many natural and life sciences. Scientists are often required to investigate cell, tissue, organ and system physiology, drawing rational and objective conclusions from the measurement(s) used. These measurements are the basis of physiological investigation, and this module introduces students to their use and requirements.
Year 2
Applied Nutrition and Metabolism (Mandatory)
This module builds on modules at level four in order to develop the application of knowledge. The general philosophy is to link nutrition and its underlying biochemistry to human health and develop a clear understanding of the links between physiology and cell biology. The module will combine a range of concepts to help students contextualize nutrition and metabolism in human health. Students will also learn to use and interpret dietary analysis software.
Health Promotion (Mandatory)
The module will explore the role of psychological factors in the cause, progression and consequences of health and illness and methods of epidemiology. It also aims to understand the role of behaviour and beliefs in the aetiology of health and illness and apply that knowledge to predict unhealthy behaviour and promote healthy behaviour.
Research Methods and Scientific Communication (Mandatory)
Effective scientists need to understand how experimentation and research drives science forward and how this is communicated. This module prepares students for further study and employment by providing an understanding of what science is and how it works; it also prepares students for the Dissertation module at Level 6. It introduces students to the principles of scientific research and the planning and design of experiments. Students will learn how to effectively analyse literature and communicate science in a variety of methods. Students will also study the detailed aspects of research design and planning.
Data Analysis and Statistics (Mandatory)
Effective scientists need to understand how experimentation and numerical analysis of data drives science forward via the process of attempted falsification and how this is quantified and presented. This module prepares students for further study and employment by providing an understanding of inferential statistical analysis of scientific data.
Year 3
Professional Development for Life Sciences (Optional)
This module will develop the necessary skills required to maximise students’ success following graduation in the Life Sciences. In this module students will explore the numerous career paths available for life science graduates, will gain experience of graduate recruitment processes, and will critically analyse their own skills and capabilities to develop, reflect and improve their professional career prospects. In addition, the students will be introduced to elements of business and entrepreneurship. In particular, areas such as outlining a business plan, patent application, intellectual property, clinical trials and policymaking will be explored.
Obesity and Energy Homeostasis (Mandatory)
This module will consider factors such as food choice, food marketing, nutrition communication, public health nutrition as a means to understand wider issues in nutrition and what drives our behaviour in order to improve health and wellbeing. The module will draw together biological, psychological, social and political factors that influence energy homeostasis in order to suggest strategies for prevention and management of obesity.
Clinical Nutrition (Optional)
The module will examine nutrition as it relates to the prevention and treatment of disease and deals with the nutritional aspects of diseases and clinical disorders by integrating students' existing knowledge of physiology, biochemistry and food science. Students will also consider the nutritional requirements of humans throughout the lifespan; the changing physiological status and subsequent changes in nutritional requirements will be studied along with a critical appraisal of how this is met with respect to diet, sociological status, geography and education.
Dissertation (Mandatory)
The dissertation will be a research-based study, central to which will be some form of hypothesis testing or problem solving. It will enable students to utilise practical, intellectual and decision making skills in novel situations. The dissertation will provide a mechanism for the development of autonomy and self-direction whilst undertaking a problem solving approach to a research topic.
Advanced Nutrition and Metabolism (Mandatory)
In the fast growing body of nutrition research, there are newly emerging fields such as functional foods, chrononutrition and Nutritional role in chronic inflammation, among others. This module aims to cover the present and future trends in the field. Examples of the topics that will be covered are gut microbial dysbiosis implications in various diseases and strategies of restorations (dietary approaches, prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics), phytosterols, phenolic compounds, and bioactive peptides. This module aims to give a holistic understanding of the physiological functions of food beyond the basic nutritional requirements
