FB2PUB2-Public Health Nutrition

Module Provider: Food and Nutritional Sciences
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites: FB2NED Nutritional Epidemiology and Dietary Assessment
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2019/0

Module Convenor: Dr Miriam Clegg

Email: m.e.clegg@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module focuses on the scientific background of Public Health Nutrition, in particular associations between diet and disease, the methods of nutritional epidemiology and Public Health Nutrition interventions. The module will in particular include:

• Information on general public health concepts, including health assessment and current public health issues


• How sufficient evidence is developed in order to initiate a public health intervention with examples from current and potential future public health interventions.


• Development of guidance and assessment and interpretation of literature and other information


• Association for Nutrition (AfN) Standards of Ethics, Conduct and Performance


• Public Health Nutrition in practice

Aims:

This module aims to investigate how diet as a modifiable risk factor can affect the risk for chronic diseases, and how this relationship can affect public health policy. Students will also learn the underlying principles of nutritional epidemiology and how it can provide evidence for Public Health Nutrition policy and campaign.

Assessable learning outcomes:

On completion of the course, students should be able to integrate data from human, animal, cellular and molecular studies and apply to public health issues on diet and disease and to engage in verbal debate on topics of current nutritional importance and reach consensus decisions.

Additional outcomes:

Students will have an understanding of factors influencing the implementation of public health nutrition at a population level. 

Outline content:

This course will deal with the critical appraisal of epidemiological and experimental data used in deriving population dietary recommendations aimed at reducing risk of chronic disease. It will in particular focus on how evidence is developed to initiate a public health intervention and how this intervention is then delivered.

Global context:

Nutrition is an important modifiable risk factor for many chronic diseases, and for this reason also important for public health. This module investigates how results from research can affect policy and improve public health. 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

This course comprises lectures and group presentations. 

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		20
Seminars		10
Guided independent study:		70
Total hours by term		100
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	50
Report	50

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

• Essay (2000 words): Analysis of public health campaign (50%) submitted at the end of term


• Critique and newspaper article (50%) submitted in the middle of term

Formative assessment methods:

Students will be given the opportunity in class to undertake peer assessment of the final essays.

Penalties for late submission:
The Module Convener will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day[1] (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;

where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

40%

Reassessment arrangements:

Reassessment arrangements are in accordance with University policy. Reassessment of the written examination is held during the University administered re-examination period in August. Failed coursework may be re-assessed by an alternative assignment before or during the August re-examination period.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
1) Required text books:
2) Specialist equipment or materials:
3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:
4) Printing and binding:
5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:
6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:

Last updated: 11 October 2019