FZMR20: Diet, Food & The Nation's Health

Module code: FZMR20

Module provider: Food and Nutritional Sciences; School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy

Credits: 15

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Summer (vacation) semester

Module convenor: Dr George Grimble, email: g.grimble@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Mrs Fiona Lee, email: f.l.lee@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 12 September 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module will be delivered entirely online, with the aim of students understanding the importance of diet as a means of maintaining and improving the health of the public. The module will take the form of eight weeks of distance learning which will mix recorded lectures, background information and directed reading. The lectures will be delivered by academic members of teaching and research staff from the Department of Food & Nutritional Sciences, from the wider University of Reading and from invited experts from academia and industry.  

The module aims to provide an introduction to, and knowledge of, the nutritional state of the nation and the role of diet in health and in acute and chronic disease. We will present the scientific evidence that underpins present conceptions of ‘a healthy diet.’ In particular, we will explore how this relates to current dietary guidelines and healthy eating recommendations. Students will develop the knowledge and skills to critically appraise the diet of an individual (i.e. themselves), and will develop an understanding of food composition, relative to healthy eating guidelines. The module will consider the scientific rationale for making health claims on foods. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Discuss the present nutritional setting of the United Kingdom 
2. Discuss the role of diet in chronic disease 
3. Critically appraise dietary guidelines and the health claims made on foods 
4. Evaluate their own diet and that of others in terms of overall “healthfulness” 
5. Critically appraise the composition of food items in relation to healthy eating targets 
6. Discuss the potential for the food industry to improve diet quality and the Nation’s health 

The following transferable skills will be developed in this module: 

• Critical evaluation of data from a variety of sources 
• Effective communication of scientific information in oral and written format with scientific rigour 
• Debating skills 

Module content

This module is designed to provide an understanding of the importance of a healthy diet in tackling key Public Health challenges in the UK. Areas of particular focus include hypertension, cardiovascular and metabolic disease and obesity. Students will appraise the UK diet and consider the potential role of the food industry in ensuring the population achieves current dietary guidelines. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Problem based learning supported by lectures together with presentations by invited speakers from different areas of the food industry and experts in the area of diet, medicine and health. Students will also have the opportunity to appraise their own diet and biological risk markers for disease. Assessments will take the form of multiple choice questions that follow on from the video lectures, and a written assessment on the role of the food industry in shaping the nation’s health that will reflect on the area in which the student is employed. 

The module consists entirely of internet-based course material (including audio/visual files, pdf documents and web links) with exercises provided for each element enabling students to assess their understanding and progress. Interaction with the course leader will be available using discussion fora. 

Study hours

At least 0 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs