The academic year is aligned with the academic year in Newcastle, starting in September and ending in June. The year is split into two semesters with a short break in the middle and a longer break between each year of study. At the end of each semester is an examination period that matches Newcastle University.
You study 120 credits in each year of the programme, and there is an additional non-taught “General Paper” in the final examination period at the end of Year 2. Each module you study is made up of 10 credits which is designed to provide 100 hours of total study time (timetabled class hours and private study). The 120 credits are split equally across each semester to balance the workload throughout the year.
This General Paper assesses your ability to assimilate information across the whole of the degree programme and to write authoritatively across all food and nutrition related topics.
Most of our modules are a mixture of lectures, tutorials and practical classes, supplemented by independent guided reading. Nutrition has its roots in the biological sciences and these all have laboratory elements and it’s important to experience these yourself. We live in a technological age so it’s also important to learn how to use IT effectively for analysing and presenting data but also as a vital aid to teaching and learning. We recognise the importance of first-hand experience; visits to see applications of food and nutrition research and development in a range of organisation, including food companies, policy agencies and research organisations, will form an important part of the programme. During the Overseas Immersion Programme visit you will have the opportunity to attend research seminars and visit laboratories run by staff in Newcastle University’s Human Nutrition Research Centre.
All modules are formally assessed. The types of assessment you will encounter include :
Sometimes in-course work is completed as group tasks and peer assessment is encouraged.
In the second year of the programme you will undertake a project of your choice and write a report which counts towards your final degree result, to enable you to explore in depth an area of special interest to you. Topics by previous students have included :