Nutritional Sciences BSc Hons (Level 3 only)

Programme title:	BSc (Hons) Nutritional Sciences
Apply:	via UCAS/ direct to the University for part-time
Code:	B400
Start (ft):	September
Start (pt):	September
Mode:	full-time/ part-time
Duration:	1 year full-time/ 2 years part-time
Location:	Luton campus, Park Square
Faculty:	Faculty of Creative Arts, Technologies & Science
Department:	Division of Science

Summary

In recent years, we have all become more aware of the importance of nutrition. There is increasing public demand for nutritional advice to maintain general health, or, in some cases, relating to diets designed to meet special goals, such as improving sports performance or the management of chronic diseases.

This current top-up degree is designed to meet the needs of two types of student:

1) University of Bedfordshire students who have already completed a foundation degree in Nutritional Therapy and who are now looking to progress to a full-time or part-time BSc (Hons) in Nutritional Science as part of their professional development.

2) Students who have attended other, similar sub-BSc level nutritional courses and who would now like to achieve an honours degree in the subject.

Health food shops are common on our high streets and there is increasing demand from the public for nutritional advice in order to maintain their health, or, in some cases, on diets which are designed to meet special goals, such as improving sports performance or the management of chronic diseases.

Areas of study include:

- Clinical Dietetics
- Clinical Biochemistry
- Reflective Practice
- Research Project

Why choose this course?

The Division of Science has long-standing links to the Institute of Optimum Nutrition
Over 30 years’ experience of teaching degrees in science, including Nutrition
Internationally recognised expertise in reflective practice in the health sciences
A BSc degree relevant to your Nutritional Therapy practice
Relates nutrition, dietetics and biochemistry to health
Develops skills in reflective practice

Career Opportunities

This course will enhance your practice as a Nutritional Therapist, either privately or with commercial companies, and provides eligibility to gain further qualifications in the form of an MSc and/or PhD.

The Reflective Practice study area also provides the chance to reflect on your own practice while working as a Nutritional Therapist.

The course provides eligibility for students to undertake further qualifications in the form of MSc and/or PhD’s.

In addition, the Reflective Practice module provides the opportunity to reflect on your own practice whilst working as a Nutritional Therapist.

Teaching/learning methods and strategies

Intellectual skills are developed through a mixture of lectures, tutorials/workshops, seminar work and coursework assignments. The authorship of an extended independent final year research project further encourages teaching and learning activities.

The overall delivery mechanism includes a high proportion of student-centred activities, less reliance on lectured material in Level 3 and a significant amount of delivery time allocated to practical work and independent study.

Blackboard is used to support the delivery of all modules and a variety of activities on these modules. Students are encouraged to read around the subject using both books and journals. The assessments are designed and used to develop the knowledge and ability of students.

Assessment

A variety of assessment methods are employed including formal examinations, essays, case-studies, numerical problem-solving coursework, oral presentations and a written thesis.

The importance of oral communication skills is also acknowledged in the Research Project module.

Dissertation/project and research

For the Research Project, students will have to demonstrate that they are able to:

perform and execute experimental methodologies relevant to nutritional sciences research;
critically evaluate and appraise scientific data; complete literature searches using primary and secondary sources;
use appropriate statistical techniques to analyse data;
and deliver a seminar which communicates information effectively.

Further details about the programme

All units on the course are core ie there are no options. Part-time students will take up to 60 credits a year; the actual modules students take will be by negotiation, but will usually be (for a 0.5 student) one 15 credit and one 45 credit module.

The units are:

BHS49-3 Clinical Dietetics (15 credits)
BHS67-3 Clinical Biochemistry (15 credits)
HHC75-3 Reflective Practice (45 credits)
BHS90-3 Research Project (45 credits)

Recommended reading

Suggested core texts for each module are:

BHS49-3 Clinical Dietetics
Geissler, C & Powers, H (2005). Human Nutrition. 11th Ed. Churchill Livingstone (ISBN 0443073562)

BHS67-3 Clinical Biochemistry
Devlin, T.M. (2005) Textbook of Biochemistry with Clinical Correlations. 5th Ed. Wiley-Liss (ISBN 0471678082)

HHC75-3 Reflective Practice
Johns, C. (2004) Becoming a Reflective Practitioner. 2nd Ed. Blackwell Publishing (ISBN 1405118334)

Entry requirements

Students should have an FdSc in Nutritional Therapy, or an equivalent academic qualification (at least 240 CAT points) through UCAS, or accreditation of prior learning, prior experiential learning or prior certificated learning.

Special entry requirements

For students entering using the Admission with Advanced Standing procedure, your experience and/or qualifications will be assessed.

A portfolio of evidence of previous academic course content and other supporting material should be provided by the prospective student. This will be reviewed jointly by a member of the Institute for Optimum Nutrition staff and a member of the Division of Science.

Attendance

Lectures for the academic year 2006-2007 take place on Thursdays. Seminars and workshops are also held on Thursdays.

Find out more

If you need further information about the academic content of this course please phone or email Dr Elaine Paterson, Programme Manager for the BSc (Hons) Nutritional Sciences (top-up) degree programme.

E: shaobo.zhou@beds.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)1234 400 400 (switchboard) ext 2299
F: +44 (0)1582 489212

Related courses

Nutritional Therapists' Diploma/Foundation Degree Course (DipION/FdSc)

The DipION/FdSc is accredited by the University and validated by the British Association of Nutritional Therapists (BANT) and meets BANT's stringent requirements for certification of nutritional therapists.

The three-year Diploma/Foundation degree Course (DipION/FdSc), prepares students in the scientific theory and practice of nutrition. The course focuses on nutrition's role as a preventative health strategy, and its therapeutic application as safe, effective natural medicine.

The course is taught at the Institute for Optimum Nutrition in Richmond, Surrey.

Application for the Foundation Degree should be made direct to the Institute for Optimum Nutrition. Please visit www.ion.ac.uk or contact the ION Administrator.

Course admissions
T: 0208 6147815
or
Antonella Silvestro
T: 0208 6147811
E: antonella.silvestro@ion.ac.uk

On successful completion of the Foundation Degree, with a further two years of part-time study at the University, you can gain the BSc Hons Nutritional Sciences.

Further Study Opportunities

Provides a degree platform for health consultancy and progression on to higher degrees (MSc, PhD, MBA) in nutrition- and dietetic-related subject areas.

General Enquiries

• www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply for information about standard entry requirements, application routes, open days, fees and funding.
• T: +44 (0)1582 489286 UK/EU Admissions
• T: +44 (0)1582 489326 International Admissions
• Order a prospectus form. Enquire about courses and order a printed undergraduate or postgraduate prospectus.
• T: +44 (0)1234 400 400 University switchboard