What will I learn on this module?
Understanding of good nutrition should not just focus on the absence of nutrient deficiencies or excesses, there are many other factors that should be also be considered. Nutritional status is linked to a variety of important physiological processes such as cognitive function, immune function, chronic inflammation, sarcopenia and ageing, and cognitive decline. Nutritional status can also affect resilience, susceptibility and response to therapy. It is not surprising, therefore, that poor nutritional status, caused by either an unhealthy diet or malabsorption of nutrients, is a major risk factor for many chronic diseases. A developing area of nutritional research involving genomics provides rational capabilities for preventing disease. It is becoming recognised that dietary advice should be concentrated on providing a more individual approach, rather than providing recommendations catering for the population.
How will I learn on this module?
This module will involve lectures and seminars and tutorials. Lectures will introduce the key concepts and seminars will be used to develop the detail. Seminars will allow students to engage with current primary literature as well as review and evaluate existing health interventions.
Delivery of this module will be supported by the e-learning portal (eLP). Lectures and supplementary learning materials will be available on the module site; the electronic Reading List will be linked to Library Services; key websites and online links in the field will be included.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
You will be supported in this module by the module tutor and module team who will provide a lecture series designed to develop your knowledge and raise questions relevant to those diseases that stem from nutritional imbalance. You will also be supported by the student-led discussions and debates in small group seminars. Directed independent study tasks will allow you to engage more widely with the subject matter.
What will I be expected to read on this module?
All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.
What will I be expected to achieve?
Knowledge & Understanding:
• Appraise current views of given clinical nutrition related disorders
• Evaluate the significance of genetic and behavioural factors in determining eating behaviour and the risk of degenerative disease
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• Interpret data for a given clinical disorder and discuss the relevance in determining appropriate treatments
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• Develop professional and ethical skills as required for a role as a health professional
How will I be assessed?
This module has a two part summative assessment. The first element is a 3000 word essay; specifically, you are asked to prepare a grant application to support a research project in the area of diet and disease risk (comprising 70% weighting of the assessment).
The second element is an individual oral presentation comprising 30% weighting of the assessment.
Formative assessment
1. You will be asked to provide your allocated tutor with an outline plan of your proposal .You will be given feedback at your 1:1 tutorial or electronically which you can feedforward into your final essay.
2. You will be asked to provide your allocated tutor with an outline plan of your presentation. You will be given feedback at your 1:1 tutorial or electronically which you can feedforward into your final presentation. ( All MLOs)
Summative Assessment
1. 1. You will submit a 3000 word grant application to support a research project in the area of diet and disease risk (70% of the module mark). The emphasis is on producing novel research idea with real world public health relevance (MLO’s 1,2,3,4).
2. 2. A 15 minute individual oral presentation where you will defend your research proposal (MLOS’s 1, 2, 3, 4)
Pre-requisite(s)
Knowledge of bioscience (including any of physiology, biochemistry, disease pathophysiology)
Co-requisite(s)
None
Module abstract
Nutritional factors play an important role in the risk of chronic non-communicable disease during adulthood. Under-nutrition and obesity increases vulnerability to ill-health by decreasing resilience and the capacity to cope with any stress; infective, emotional or societal. In addition to its causative role in under-nutrition and obesity, poor nutrition exacerbates many infectious and chronic non-communicable diseases. You will develop your understanding of the impact which diet has on increasingly common chronic conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, cancer, obesity, cardiovascular disease and degenerative diseases.
Course info
Credits 20
Level of Study Postgraduate
Mode of Study 28 months Part Time
Department Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing
Location Coach Lane Campus, Northumbria University
City Newcastle
Start September 2025
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
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