This module will provide you with an opportunity to develop your skills in the use and understanding of relevant literature and in both quantitative and qualitative methods. You will learn how to evaluate and contribute to the scientific literature and to interpret and disseminate scientific information. You will appreciate the desirable properties of research design and be able to select an experimental design appropriate to a given system and create the design matrix. You will learn how to assess the kinds of scientific data and tests of hypotheses and will be able to select, apply, and interpret the output from statistical methods of data analysis, and to evaluate the results of statistical analyses as applied to a given data set. Using contemporary science stories, you will develop scientific communication skills in systematic searching, summary writing and critical analysis of the underpinning primary research.

This module provides you with a vehicle for developing, refining and applying your research skills in an independent project. Guided by a staff member, you will plan, carry out and report the outcomes of an independent research project to professional standards. You will identify stakeholders in your research and describe the projected impact your research holds for them. In order to prepare you for life as a research professional, assessments emulate authentic professional documentary formats aimed at securing project resources and disseminating your findings to ensure they develop real world impact.

You will learn some of the fundamental principles in the field of human nutrition and dietetics such as the biochemistry of nutrients, the digestion, absorption, assimilation, and function in the human body as building blocks for growth and repair and as energy sources. The health effects of nutrient deficiencies and excesses and the contribution of diet and lifestyle to the establishment of disease will also be discussed.
You will also learn about energy requirements and energy balance, the control of bodyweight and calculations of body mass index; ideal body weight and individual nutritional requirements will be discussed in depth. Factors which influence dietary intake and barriers which are encountered when recommending dietary change will be discussed. You will also learn about the role of nutrition with regards to healthy ageing and be aware of the various roles that diet and nutrition can play in disease. This module will also introduce you to the use of dietary surveys and epidemiological studies, how they can be used to identify links between diet and disease and how this evidence is then used in nutritional guidance for the public and individuals.
You will learn about the application of methods of collecting, analysing and evaluating nutritional data with practical experience analysing dietary data using computer software as well as learning about the practice and theory of laboratory based methods to provide an understanding of their relationship with nutrition. Good working practice, the importance of professional standards and the application of professional conduct will also be covered.

This module is designed to further an understanding of the principles of dietary intervention and how nutrition is related to disease. You will learn about the biochemical basis of a range of disorders that are seen in the clinic. This module expands on basic nutritional concepts but with more focus on scientific literature and evidence.

You will learn about how to assess nutritional status using anthropometric, clinical and biochemical data and how these relate to case studies and nutrition-related disease. You will learn how each clinical or metabolic disorder influences nutritional status, and the underlying metabolic complications that causes these conditions.

You will learn about the principles of dietetics, dietary management and control in the clinical environment. You will learn how clinical conditions can influence nutritional status and how these conditions are treated through adequate nutrition.

In this module you will learn about the challenges facing the ever-changing food and nutrition sector. You will be introduced to the current legislative and advisory bodies that generate food and health policies in the U.K., Europe and internationally and will have the opportunity to review and appraise current policies, including consideration of their impact on relevant stakeholders.
Given the nature of this module, the syllabus will change and evolve and will be influenced by the issues pertinent at any given time. That said, there will be themes which are ongoing challenges relevant across food systems including obesity, food production, food scares, environmental impacts and consumer behaviour. This module will also enable you to evaluate the role of the media in educating and informing the population in realtion to food and nutrition.

You will learn how to apply for funding to support a theoretical nutrition based health promotion campaign or public engagement activity. You will also gain valuable communication skills from presenting your ideas and funding bid in the form of a poster to an audience. The module will help to support you to develop a range of knowledge skills, behaviours, attributes and attitudes which will enable you to be successful not just in employment but in life. You will also gain an understanding of the AfN Standards of Ethics, Conduct and Performance. Strict adherence of these standards is expected from all Associate and Registered Nutritionists, enabling you to sustain your own continued professional development.

The transferable skills that you will gain in this module will include critical thinking, record-keeping, problem solving, independent learning, and communication of ideas to various audiences and project management as well as development of your emotional intelligence.

Academic skills when studying away from your home country can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.

The topics you will cover on the module include:

• Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
• Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’
• Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
• Listening skills for lectures.
• Speaking in seminar presentations.
• Presenting your ideas
• Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
• Speed reading techniques.
• Developing self-reflection skills.
• Discussing ethical issues in research, and analysing results.
• Describing bias and limitations of research.