HAR6212: Nutritional Epidemiology

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Overview

The Nutritional Epidemiology module is led by Liz Williams. It runs in the Autumn semester and is worth 15 credits.

It is one of the modules on:

This module is available as a CPD option

This module is available Faculty-wide in any year as a DDP module

Maximum class size: 50

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Introduction

This module is designed to

1. Introduce students to the basic principles of nutritional epidemiology
2. Provide students with a knowledge of epidemiological study design and the ability to interpret epidemiological research
3. Introduce students to the methods of dietary assessment and analysis options, and enable them to  interpret dietary information
4. Provide students with a knowledge of the socio-ecological influences on food choice
5. Introduce students to the nutritional challenges of vulnerable population groups and the importance of nutrition policy

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Objectives

This unit aims to provide students with a knowledge and understanding of nutritional epidemiology, epidemiological study design, dietary assessment, the drivers of food choice and nutrition policy.

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Learning outcomes

By the end of the unit, a candidate will be able to demonstrate the ability to:

1. Describe the principles of epidemiological study design
2. Discuss the limitations of nutritional epidemiological methods
3. Interpret nutritional epidemiological research
4. Demonstrate critical appraisal of the published literature in nutritional epidemiology
5. Describe the range of dietary assessment methods available and discuss their application
6. Describe the socio-ecological influences on food choice
7. Provide examples of food policy in practice in vulnerable population groups
8. Present research summaries accurately and concisely to their peers

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Core competencies

The module covers core competencies required for accreditation of the MSc in Human Nutrition by the Association for Nutrition (AfN).

This module addresses in depth the following AfN core competencies:
CC1g  CC1m  CC1n  CC1p  CC1q  CC2d  CC3a  CC3b  CC3d  CC3e  CC3f  CC3g  CC3h  CC4b  CC4c  CC4d CC4e  CC4f  CC4g

The module supports the learning of knowledge and acquisition of skills relating to aspects of the following AfN core competencies:
CC1f  CC1j  CC1k  CC1l  CC1o

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Teaching methods

• Learning outcomes 1-7 will be delivered through a series of lectures and seminars. These sessions will be supplemented by resources provided via Blackboard to allow students to enrich their learning through self-study
• Learning outcome 5 will be further delivered through a practical workshop led by tutors with practical expertise of dietary assessment
• Learning objective 7 will be reinforced and learning objective 8 will be met through an assessed oral presentation day