Newcastle University

Aims

This module will provide an introduction to the scientific basis on which an understanding of human nutrition is built and upon which recommendations about dietary and nutrient intake are made. The module also covers topics in nutritional epidemiology, nutrition at different life stages as well as under and over-nutrition.

Outline Of Syllabus

Lectures:
Assessment of nutritional requirments and introduction to Dietary Reference Values
Assessment of dietary and nutrient intakes and nutritional status
Infant feeding
Nutrition, lactation and reproduction
Primary nutritional deficiency diseases
Introduction to nutritional epidemiology
Diet as a risk factor in major chronic non-transmissible diseases

Practicals

Assessment of dietary intake by 3 day food diary
Body composition and Anthropometry
Open circuit indirect calorimetry
Non-invasive method to estimate second meal effect

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The module offers a broad learning experience for students to experience first hand the basic nutrition assessment tools in relation to dietary and nutrient intake, anthropometry and biochemical assessments carried out in practical classes. This combined with the theoretical background given in the lectures offers students a unique learning experience in principles of nutritional assessement and research. Data from practical classes are discussed in the small group teaching sessions. Students will write up the laboratory data as two small and one large practical report.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The split in assessment between formal exam and continuously assessed work reflects the split between the theoretical and practical components of the module. The formal exam tests the students' knowledge and understanding of basic human nutrition principles whilst the reports from the laboratory practicals provide an opportunity to assess ability to handle experimental data, including appropriate statistical analysis, interpretation of results and preparation of written reports. The split of 40% exam and 60% laboratory reports reflects the weight of the time spend for preparing the reports and prepares the students for the 100% coursework assessment in ACE2037 in semester 2.

The two practical sessions include completion of three separate experiments thus there are three reports in the assessment. The three practical reports differ in their total allocation. Two small reports demand the students to record laboratory data and to answer specific questions to these and are marked at 18% of total marks. The final report is marked at 42% of final marks and demands from the student to analyse and to present results using appropriate statistical tools and to compare the results in light of the current scientific literature. The format of the final report is similar to that of a scientific publication. This exercise prepares students for the assessment applied in ACE2037 Experimental Nutrition in semester 2.