Clinical Nutrition MSci

In the first year, the curriculum will be focused on the sciences that underpin the principles of Human Nutrition. Topics include:

Principles of human nutrition

During this part of the course students will learn about optimum macro and micronutrient intakes, as well as the implications of excesses and deficiencies. How digestion occurs in the human body will also be considered, as well as fluid and energy balance and the impact of alcohol and non-nutritive substances.

General anatomy and physiology

Focus will be given in this part of the course to general anatomy and physiology. All major body systems will be explored, from the cellular level through to whole organs and how systems are integrated through neural and hormonal controls. Key systems include the heart and cardiovascular, digestive, respiratory, musculoskeletal, nervous, renal, endocrine and immune systems.

Nutritional biochemistry and metabolism

Students will have an opportunity to develop their understanding of key principles regarding biochemistry, with a focus on the biochemical assemblage of macronutrients and their metabolism. Students will also learn about cellular and molecular biology relevant to biological systems, with emphasis given to cell structure and function, cell division, the cell cycle and foundations in molecular biology, including DNA and RNA. Students will also take part in a series of practical classes to support deeper learning of theoretical concepts through the application of knowledge in understanding key biological data. There is a strong focus on developing a baseline competency of key laboratory techniques, with a clear emphasis on how to work safely.

Food systems

This part of the course will equip students with a clear understanding of the food supply chain and how this is liked to sustainability and health. Furthermore, students will also learn about key principles regarding food safety and allergen awareness, as well as having the opportunity to become certified in these areas by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health. 

Nutritional modification

Dietary modification is of core importance for a variety of career pathways in nutrition, including sports nutrition and dietetics. Students will learn how to assess and modify the diet of an individual using dietary analysis software and will have the opportunity to try out their own reformulated diet plans in our state-of-the-art food laboratories during several practical sessions.

In the second year, the focus of the curriculum is on applying and expanding your knowledge gained in the first year. Topics studied include:

Nutritional assessment

Nutritional assessment is used to determine the nutritional status of individuals via the collection and interpretation of measures and information. Students will explore the ABCD of nutritional assessment. A is for Anthropometry, the measurement of the body. B for the Biochemical analysis of nutritional status. C for the Clinical signs of malnutrition and D for assessment of Dietary intake.

Nutrition throughout the lifecycle

Energy and nutrient requirements differ depending on sex and stage of life. During this block, students will acquire knowledge and understanding of specific nutritional requirements needed for development, growth and optimal health. They will explore how dietary intakes and nutritional status during the early stages of the lifecycle, i.e. fetal, childhood and adolescence, influence health, by increasing or decreasing the risk for dietary related disease at later life stages.

Influencing factors that affect health and nutritional status

Students will have the opportunity to explore how factors such as ethnicity, culture, religion and socioeconomic status influence food choice, dietary behaviours and health. Students will learn how nutrients interact with the human genome influencing long term health, with a focus on the contribution genes make to obesity.

Nutritional status and intakes can be enhanced at population level via the fortification and enrichment of commonly consumed foods. In addition, the possible interactions between nutrients and/or drugs and how these can potentially impede optimal nutritional status will be explored.

Basic nutritional epidemiology and public health nutrition

Nutritional epidemiology is the study of the relationship between dietary exposure and the causes and pattern of diseases in populations. Students will critically appraise nutritional assessment, in addition to different research methods and study designs. Students will also explore the principles of Public Health Nutrition in promoting good health through healthy eating and preventing dietary related diseases in the population.

Pathology of diseases

Pathology is the study of the structural and functional changes produced by diseases. Within this part of the course, you will gain an overview of major organs and systems of the human body as well as the molecular and cellular factors contributing to its disease condition. The incidence, the severity linked herewith the causes, mechanisms and extent of disease will be examined. This part of the course addresses how accumulation of damage or adaptation to injury in cells, tissues, or organs can result in a loss of function of that particular cell/tissue/organ, disrupt the entire cascade and lead to an increased risk of death of an individual involved.

Endocrinology, gut microbiome and metabolic diseases

Students will gain understanding of the physiological and pathological role of microbiomes, hormones, enzymes and the chemical processes involved in metabolism. They will focus on the roles of second messengers and endocrine system disorders in the context of carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism as well as in cellular respiration and metabolism of drugs. Both the theoretical and practical aspects of the principles and applications of clinical biochemical and microbiological investigations used in sample collection, screening, analysis, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of disease will be covered.

Molecular and cellular biology

In this part of the course students will increase their understanding of both molecular and the cellular biology concepts and techniques. While molecular biology is underpinned by gene/genome sequencing, sequence analysis and sequence manipulation, cell biology looks at the biological processes at the cellular level. Here, students will be exposed to genetic organisation of cells, DNA replication and gene expression, recombinant proteins production, forensic applications genome sequencing, paternity dispute and genetic disease diagnosis. In particular, this part of the course will focus on the several molecular and cellular biology techniques which have helped to revolutionise gene analysis be it in the medical sector, vaccine development, or human genome sequencing etc. The content will be delivered via a series of interactive lectures that will allow students to gain insight into the theoretical aspects of molecular and cellular biology. This part of the course is highly supported by a series of laboratory-based sessions to introduce the basic techniques such as cell isolation, DNA purification, nucleic acid quantification using spectrophotometry, analysis via agarose gels and PCR.

Immunology

This part of the course will build upon first-year knowledge regarding the immune system allowing the students to gain a solid and deeper knowledge of the protective ability of the immune system in maintaining homeostasis as well as fight against microbial agents. Students will delve deeper into how the presence of danger signals initiate the release of chemical mediators, antibodies, and cellular processes related to the innate and adaptive immune responses. In addition, the role of the immune system in cancer development/progression, organ transplantation, rhesus incompatibility, autoimmune disease, hypersensitivity etc will be explored. Students will also be exposed to the principle of vaccine development, implications of vaccination and the rationale for disease control.

Bioscience lab techniques

During this part of the course, students will learn several techniques in the laboratory to develop subject specific, technical and transferable skills. Here, students are exposed to key experimental techniques, cell culture, clinical microbiology and clinical biochemical techniques. Key research skills are also a prerequisite, including, design, ethical implications, process of data collection, statistical analysis, scientific report writing, presentations and manuscript writing. Assessment is via a series of abstracts writing as well as lab reports based on study design and data analysis.

In the third year, the curriculum will focus on the advanced understanding of Human and Clinical Nutrition. Topics studied include:

Nutrition, physical activity, and sport 

Students have an opportunity to learn about several key perspectives in the interrelationship between nutrition, physical activity, exercise, and health within this area. The role of body composition within health and disease and methods of assessment of body composition will be discussed. The difference between physical activity, physical fitness, sport, and exercise will be established with the critical appraisal regarding the impact of the complex association between these constructs with nutrition and health. In line with that, the relationship between active and balanced lifestyle and health will be explored, while the subject area will also discuss the key principles of nutrition for successful contribution to sport and exercise.

Clinical nutrition 

Within this area, the interrelationship between nutrition, obesity, and non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, and cancer together with cognitive function and impairment will be discussed. The role of nutrition and weight management in the prevention of the above clinical conditions will be critically appraised as part of broader discussions of the association between lifestyle, holistic health, and wellbeing. 

Public health nutrition 

The topic area explores the key principles of public health nutrition, reflecting on the international, national, and local perspectives in the development of food and nutrition policies, to incorporate public health nutrition models into practice and explore practical considerations in devising and evaluating local food and nutrition policies. 

Food choice, behaviour modification and nutrition education

The theoretical models underlying food choice, and the ones explaining nutritional health behaviour will be explored while students critically appraise the traditional and modern strategies used for nutrition education and behaviour modification for enhancing nutritional status.

Food supply, formulation, and policy

In this area, students will have an opportunity to develop an understanding of the food supply chain, together with the policies and regulations involved. In line with this, the regulations considering food fortification, health claims and food labelling will be appraised and the role of food reformulation for enhancing the nutritional quality of foods will be investigated to collectively provide an understanding of potential strategies to the integration of those in improving public health.

Nutrition ethics & professional practice

The area explores the development of bioethics from theoretical to practical perspectives, including the key principles of ethics in practice and in research, giving examples of the ethical and moral dilemmas in nutrition, to establish the framework of the professional code of conduct for nutritionists and their scope of practice.

Advanced topics in clinical nutrition

During this part of the course students will learn in depth about a range of topics not normally covered in detail on the Nutrition BSc course. These are related to several unique aspects of nutrition, including eating disorders, adverse reactions to food and nutrition in surgery and trauma. Developing an in-depth understanding of these elements will prepare students well for a career closely aligned with clinical practice.

During the fourth year of study students will have the option to study a fourth year for an MSci in Clinical Nutrition. During this period students will have the opportunity to pursue research in a specialist area at Masters level. Students will also be taught further theoretical knowledge in contemporary nutrition topics and research skills directed towards future employment aspirations.