FBMNCP-Nutrition Communication and Professional Practice

Module Provider: Food and Nutritional Sciences
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Orla Kennedy
Email: o.b.kennedy@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module will explore the best practices for communicating nutrition.  Different communication mediums and different audiences will be considered. Students will have the opportunity to develop their skills for communicating as a nutritionist and gain awareness of the legal, moral and ethical considerations in evidence-based nutrition communication and nutritional professionalism.

Aims:

The aim of this module is for the students to develop the essential skills for effectively communicating as a nutritionist whilst upholding professional conduct. Namely:

• To gain an understanding of how to apply the scientific principles of nutrition for the promotion of health and wellbeing


• To develop skills in critical thinking, specifically for assessing and effectively relaying scientific information


• To develop communication skills across different audiences as well as to develop techniques for oral and written communication


• To understand how to work within the standards of ethics, conduct and performance as a nutritional professional

Assessable learning outcomes:

On completion of this module, students should be able to:

• Recognise the legal, moral and ethical confines of nutrition profession and practice


• Apply the scientific principles of nutrition science in communication


• Critically assess and effectively relay evidence-based nutrition research

Additional outcomes:

The module will support development of communication skills and support critical thinking skills beyond nutritional sciences, in the broader scientific setting. The students will also gain training in performing basic clinical techniques (e.g. anthropometrics, blood pressure, blood cholesterol and glucose).

Outline content:

This module focuses on effective communication of nutrition. Topics include; legal, moral and ethical context of nutrition professional practice; health behaviours; consultation skills; healthy living assessment; working with the media; communicating in industry; using social media.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module consists of a mixture of lectures, seminars, workshops and self-directed learning as well as practical training sessions on assessment and delivery of dietary analysis and healthy living advice.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		11
Seminars		11
Practicals classes and workshops		8
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (directed)		20
Revision and preparation		15
Essay preparation		25
Reflection		10
Total hours by term	0	100	0
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	50
Oral assessment and presentation	50

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

• 600-word newspaper article based on a research paper (50%)


• Healthy Living Assessment one-to-one communication (50%)

Formative assessment methods:

Students will be able to submit one ‘mock’ press release that they will received feedback on prior to submitting the associated coursework.

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy 'Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes', which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
The Support Centres 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 (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: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/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:

50% in each assessment.

Reassessment arrangements:

Resubmission of coursework.

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: 4 September 2023