2021/2022

MSc (Human Nutrition and Dietetics)

NFQ Level 9, Major Award

Note: Every effort has been made to ensure that the programme and module content as described in the University's Calendar and Book of Modules for the 2021-22 academic year are accurate. However, due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, no guarantee is given that programme/module content, delivery and assessment may not be altered, cancelled, replaced, augmented or otherwise amended. Any changes will ensure the same competencies and Learning Outcomes are met. Programme and/or Module Coordinators will communicate any such changes to students.

The MSc in Human Nutrition and Dietetics is a full-time programme delivered over two years.

Year 1

Students take 60 credits as follows:

Core Modules:
DT6002 Nutritional Assessment in the Clinical Setting (5 credits)
DT6003 Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy (10 credits)
DT6004 Food Skills and Food Service Management (5 credits)
DT6006 Professional Practice and Interpersonal Skills (10 credits)
DT6007 Public Health Nutrition (5 credits)
DT6008 Medical Management of Disease (5 credits)
DT6009 Clinical Practice Placement 1 (5 credits)
DT6010 Applied Research for Dietetics (5 credits)
DT6014 Dietetics Through the Lifecycle (5 credits)

Elective modules
Students take 5 credits from the following:
EH6158 Health promotion I (5 credits)
NT6107 Integration and Regulation of Nutrient Metabolism (5 credits) *

* Module selection is subject to the agreement of the programme co-ordinator, however students who have not completed an undergraduate degree in Nutrition are required to take NT6107.

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Year 2

Students take 60 credits:
DT6011 Clinical Practice Placement 2 (10 credits)
DT6012 Clinical Practice Placement 3 (15 credits)*
DT6013 Research Dissertation in Dietetics (30 credits)
DT6015 Advanced Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics (5 credits)

* Students will complete DT6012 in two groups. Group 1 from January to March, followed by Group 2 from April to June.

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2021/2022 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2021/2022.

Exit award: Students who graduate with an Exit award will not be eligible to practise as a Dietitian.

MSc in Human Nutrition
Students who pass each module in Year One and achieve a pass standard in DT6013 but fail to achieve a pass standard in any of DT6011, DT6012 or DT6015 or who opt to exit the programme will be awarded the MSc in Human Nutrition (90 credits in total).

Postgraduate Diploma in Human Nutrition
Students who pass each module in Year One but fail to achieve a minimum aggregate of at least 50% across all modules in Year One or students who do not wish to progress to Year Two and exit the programme will be conferred with the Postgraduate Human in Clinical Nutrition.

Postgraduate Certificate in Human Nutrition
Students who pass modules in Year One to the value of 30 credits and opt to exit the programme will be conferred with the Postgraduate Certificate in Human Nutrition.

See also General Regulations for the Degree of Master.

Programme Learning Outcomes for MSc (Human Nutrition and Dietetics) (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

  • Apply a critical understanding and be proficient in the skills required for safe and effective dietetic practice as specified by the Dietitians Registration Board (CORU) and the Irish Nutrition and Dietetics Institute (INDI);
  • Demonstrate the professional attributes, leadership, academic and clinical skills required to undertake evidence based competent practice across a variety of clinical settings;
  • Integrate the research evidence, theory and principles from biological, clinical, nutritional and social sciences with practical application; to competently assess and identify nutritional related problems and determine dietetic interventions, including medical nutritional therapy, disease prevention and health promotion;
  • Apply in-depth knowledge and critical understanding of key clinical and professional issues in the practice of dietetics;
  • Demonstrate the ability to evaluate and identify ways in which clinical dietetic services may be enhanced through critical analysis of audit, clinical and academic evidence;
  • Articulate reflective practice in the acquisition of knowledge and skills related to own dietetic practice and career development;
  • Evidence a self-reflective approach to professional practice decision making and be responsive to the needs of service users;
  • Acquire the relevant skills to engage in research and clinical audit and demonstrate advancement of research skills leading to the completion of a research dissertation.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Diploma in Human Nutrition (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

  • Integrate the research evidence, theory and principles from biological, clinical, nutritional and social sciences with practical application; to competently assess and identify nutritional related problems and determine nutrition interventions, including medical nutritional therapy, disease prevention and health promotion;
  • Apply in-depth knowledge and critical understanding of key clinical and professional issues in the practice of clinical nutrition;
  • Articulate reflective practice in the acquisition of knowledge and skills related to own career development;
  • Critically appraise nutrition-related literature.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Certificate in Human Nutrition (NFQ Level 9, Minor Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

  • Integrate the research evidence, theory and principles from biological, clinical, nutritional and social sciences with practical application; to competently assess and identify nutritional related problems and determine nutrition interventions, including medical nutritional therapy, disease prevention and health promotion;
  • Articulate reflective practice in the acquisition of knowledge and skills related to own career development;
  • Critically appraise nutrition-related literature.

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