Nutrition MSci

Nutrients are vital to human and animal health, but how do they work? In this module, you’ll be given a comprehensive introduction to the key concepts in the field of nutrition. Depending on your interests, you can study human or animal nutrition, or both. Understand how the food we eat influences our health. Explore how the food eaten by animals impacts on food production and the global food system.

You’ll study:

• micronutrients, including vitamins and minerals
• macronutrients, including proteins, carbohydrates and fats
• metabolism, and how nutrients give us energy
• the influence of nutrition in diseases such as cancer and diabetes

What major physiology systems are essential for life in animals and humans? In this module you will learn about:

• the body's principle physiological systems including the nervous, respiratory, cardiovascular, reproductive, renal and digestive systems
• the structure and function of the major organs including the function of individual cell types

Through weekly lectures, we will cover topics on genes, proteins and membranes, transport of molecules across membranes, nerve signalling and biorhythms. 

How can you use science to help improve global food security? This module introduces you to the issues of global food security and the complexity existing in different parts of our food generation system. Looking across the food supply chain, you’ll cover the evolution of crops, crop and animal production, and the food industry. Importantly, you’ll also look at sustainable nutrition because food security isn’t just about supply – it’s important that people are getting the right kind of food. You’ll learn about these issues through a mix of lectures and practical laboratory sessions. You’ll also develop professional skills to work safely in laboratory situations.

Have you ever wondered how some crops can resist diseases? This module provides you with the fundamentals for understanding biochemical processes in living organisms. You’ll be introduced to the basic structure, properties and functions of the four key biological macromolecules: nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates and lipids. You’ll also look at the metabolic pathways occurring in cells, such as respiration, photosynthesis and the biosynthetic pathways for the key macromolecules. In addition to lectures, you’ll have practical laboratory sessions to learn how to use key biochemical techniques for the separation and analysis of macromolecules and measurement of the metabolic process.

Cells are the basic functional units of life, but how do they grow and develop? In this module, you’ll follow the lifecycle of cells. You'll focus on mitosis, meiosis, cell division and differentiation. We’ll put cells not just under the microscope, but use advanced laboratory technologies to explore the ultrastructure of cells. These are the parts of cells too small to be seen through ordinary laboratory equipment. You’ll then put this science to the test, to apply cellular biology to applied genetics.

You’ll study:

• structures and ultrastructures of animal and plant cells
• microscopic features of bacteria and viruses
• gene replication, expression and inheritance
• laboratory methods used to discover how cells work

The tutorials component of this module is intended to enhance your transition into university and guide you through the academic expectations of your degrees. This part of the module is spread throughout the year and includes three generic sessions on ‘study skills and plagiarism’, ‘study opportunities’ and ‘career and personal development’, and a series of small group tutorials with your academic tutor to develop generic skills such as finding crucial information, oral presentation, data handling and presentation of results, preparation for examinations, and essay writing skills relevant to biosciences.

The Foundation Science content has three elements: chemistry, maths and statistics and physics. The chemistry element will include: elements and periodic table; atomic structure and bonding; intermolecular attractions, chemical equilibrium; acids and bases, oxidation and reduction; rates of reaction; basic organic chemistry, isomerism, and rings.  The Maths and Stats element will include: calculations, algebra, functions and relationships, powers, logarithms, descriptive statistics, significance, regression and presenting data. The Physics element will include: units and dimensions; power, energy and heat; light and the electromagnetic spectrum; attenuation/absorption; and radioactivity.

There is also an IT element, which interfaces with generic IT training for undergraduates provided within the University.

During processing, the material properties of the food are altered; this directly affects the quality of the food product in terms of its colour, flavour and texture. You'll be introduced to the properties of food materials both raw and processed, with a particular focus on the chemical and physical nature of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids. You’ll have a weekly four hour lecture supported by three hours of practicals each week.

You’ll investigate food composition, nutritional requirements and recommended dietary intakes before looking at methods of measuring food intake. Basic psychology and sociology concepts will be introduced to help investigate social, economic and cultural factors that influence food choices. You'll then examine concepts of health and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Theories of health education and promotion and how these relate to influencing health behaviour will be covered. You’ll have weekly lectures (4 hours each) and workshops (4 hours each).

The food we eat determines the functioning of our bodies. But how does metabolism influence whether this leads to health or disease?  You will explore the nutritional biochemistry of metabolism. Looking at healthy outcomes, and factors associated with chronic diseases. These include obesity and diabetes. You will investigate the fed, fasted and starved states. You’ll understand how the body uses macronutrients in different physiological and pathological situations.

You’ll study:

• metabolism, nutrition and exercise in sporting performance
• disorders of metabolism and the therapies used to treat them
• cardiovascular disease risk factors
• obesity and diabetes, from a metabolic perspective

What are the main events of the immune response when the body is infected by intra and extracellular parasites, essential components of many diseases? In this module you’ll be introduced to the fundamental concepts behind cellular and molecular immunology. You’ll learn about the main characteristics and features of the innate and adaptive immune system, their functions and how they relate to each other. You’ll explore current immune-techniques, modern concepts of immune-deficiency and hypersensitivities, and contemporary topics in animal and human diseases.

Hormones carry signals between different parts of the body, but how do nutrients determine the interaction between hormones and health? In this module, you’ll carry out an in-depth study of the mammalian endocrine system. You'll look at this from cellular, molecular and anatomical perspectives. You'll explore the role that hormones play in controlling homeostasis and metabolism. We use the latest published nutritional research. You'll study appetite regulation and how endocrine systems determine what, how and when we eat.

You’ll study:

• Nutritional energetics and energy expenditure
• Appetite regulation by the endocrine system
• Homeostasis in relation to the diet

Throughout this module your problem solving skills will be developed while enhancing your knowledge on key topics in nutrition for example: global food security, tackling the obesity epidemic, and positive impacts on consumer behaviour. Every two weeks you will receive a lecture from a different academic introducing the case study topic to be investigated. In groups you will gather relevant information from various research sources, synthesis data and present in appropriate formats. 

Supporting people to eat an optimal diet is critical for human health. But how do we know which nutrients we need? In this module, you’ll learn how to collect and analyse data which shows the relationship between nutrition and health. You'll use a range of laboratory techniques and practical investigatory methods. You'll observe, identify and measure various biomarkers. You'll use these to determine how nutrients affect the body, ensure health, or place individuals at risk of disease.

You’ll study:

• techniques required to conduct laboratory research
• statistical analysis and presentation of data
• safe working practices in laboratory facilities
• application of research findings to solve practical nutritional challenges

In this module you’ll learn about the development, physiology and regulation of mammalian reproduction, the control of avian reproduction, and lactation. You’ll cover mammalian reproduction, including physiological control, cyclicity and reproductive efficiency. You’ll also consider avian physiology and reproduction in domestic fowl, with an emphasis on the nutritional and metabolic challenges associated with commercial rates of egg lay. Lactation will also be covered, where you’ll learn about the development of mammary tissue, the biochemistry of milk synthesis, the endocrine control of milk secretion, and the metabolic correlates of lactation in dairy ruminants. You’ll have a mix of lectures and practical laboratory sessions for experimental work and dissection.

Through weekly lectures and workshops, the aim of this module is to introduce you to the legislation relating to food and enable you to recognise the responsibilities and liabilities of those engaged in the production, manufacture and supply of food and related products. This includes the composition, labelling and advertising of food and food products sold for human consumption within the UK and the EU as well as the legislation that impacts on health attributes and claims for consumer products.

Marketing is a lot bigger than just advertising. In this module, you’ll learn about the importance of a marketing-orientated approach to successful rural and food businesses. A hands-on module, you’ll use an agricultural or food company of your choice as a case study and, in small teams, analyse its market and create your own marketing plan. Guest lecturers will be invited so you can learn more about how marketing theory is applied in practice and there will be a field visit to a local farm to see their marketing strategy in action. 

This module will introduce you to the physiology and biochemistry of the mammalian endocrine system and its control of homeostasis and metabolism. You will cover the different hormonal networks that regulate and integrate various mammalian physiological functions in farm animals, companion species, and humans. This will include learning about hormones and their receptors in both health and disease.

 

In this final year of study, you will do a major piece of research, supervised by one of our expert scientists. This is a year-long investigation. You'll develop a suitable research question and use appropriate methodology to answer it. In this module, you’ll work one-to-one with an experienced researcher in your specialist field. They will offer support through individual tutorials. We offer a diverse range of topical research projects using a variety of methodologies.

You’ll learn:

• how to develop research questions, aims and hypotheses
• how to select an appropriate research methodology
• specialist skills relevant to your area of research
• how to present scientific research to a non-specialist audience

This module will examine the concept of metabolic control at the gene, cell and tissue level with particular reference to the role of nutrients in regulating this process. Selected processes by which nutrients and hormones act via receptors and their signal transduction pathways to regulate tissue growth and metabolism will be described along with the mechanisms by which nutrients can act directly on the processes controlling gene expression. You’ll have a mix of lectures and practical sessions for this module.

Good nutrition is needed to maintain health at any age. So how do nutritional requirements change as we get older? In this module, you’ll explore nutrition throughout the life course. You'll identify the nutritional needs of different age groups. Starting with pre-conception, to pregnancy, infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood and into old age. You'll understand the role of optimal nutrition in preventing disease and promote healthy diets.

You’ll study:

• developmental origins of health and disease
• risk factors for nutritional disease at different stages of life
• epidemiological methods used to identify public health challenges
• nutrition in human physiological development across the life course

Building on the principles of animal development from earlier modules, you will be introduced to the world of the biotechnology industry, the techniques involved, and to the opportunities offered by this growing sector. You’ll learn about the genetic and epigenetic basis of gene regulation, and how this knowledge is used for developing new disease treatments and for improving livestock production and animal welfare.

Animal-human interactions raise some prominent ethical issues. In this module, you’ll examine the ethical dimensions concerning animal agriculture, modern biotechnologies and research in the biosciences, in relation to both humans and non-human species. You’ll learn about the ethical frameworks used to analyse specific dilemmas raised by the human use of animals. Using specific animal and biotechnology case studies, you’ll interpret the main ethical theories and principles and apply them to the case studies to inform professional decision-making. You’ll have a mix of lectures and seminars to explore these concepts.

How does the brain control physiology and behaviour? In this module you’ll build on your knowledge from previous modules to examine the detailed physiological basis of integrated behaviours in animals. You’ll cover; nervous system control of cardiovascular function, respiration, body temperature, emotion, motivation and their associated behaviours. You’ll have lectures on the above along with practical sessions on the integrative aspects of exercise physiology.

Healthy diets are vital for healthy lives. But how do nutritionists change health behaviours to achieve optimal nutrition? In this module, you'll study the psychological origins of dietary behaviour. You will learn the behaviour change techniques nutritionists use to modify food choice. You'll look at how to promote healthy diets using community, legislative, persuasive and empowerment tools. You'll work as an intervention team to achieve improved dietary health. Working together, you'll design an evidence-based behaviour change programme.

You’ll study:

• psychodynamic, behaviourist, cognitive and humanistic explanations of food choice
• social influences on consumer behaviour and the social determinants of health
• behaviour change techniques used in professional practice
• health promotion tools used to achieve dietary health across populations

You’ll be given an understanding of: the micro-organisms which are important in foods; the factors which control the development of the microflora of food products and the methods which can be used to isolate and identify bacteria from food products. You’ll spend one day per week in lectures studying for this module.

This module covers the advanced study of fertility regulation and manipulation in mammals. You’ll learn about the artificial control of reproductive cycles in the female and mechanisms involved in pregnancy recognition and maintenance. You’ll explore recent developments in reproductive technology and embryology as it applies to farm species, endangered species, and humans. You’ll have lectures and laboratory practical sessions to apply your learning.

How does the central nervous system sense the environment and react to it? In this module, you’ll learn about central nervous control of sensory and motor pathways and how these systems interact. In particular, you’ll examine the anatomy, physiology and pharmacology of sensory and motor systems and their integration in posture, coordinated movement and protective reflex responses. A strong emphasis will be on the physiology and pharmacology of acute and chronic pain and you’ll study the use of analgesics to treat these conditions. You’ll also gain understanding of the methodology behind a number of neuroscientific techniques and their application in novel research. You’ll have a mix of lectures, computer-based learning and practical laboratory sessions to reinforce and apply your knowledge.

This module introduces current concepts of molecular mechanisms in animal development and techniques to study and manipulate animal phenotypes. You will study how developmental programs are remarkably conserved among species, including humans. Insights gained from molecular studies of the fruit fly, zebra fish and chicken are directly relevant to our understanding of mammalian development. Signals and factors regulating key events in establishing the body plan of an animal are discussed. Epigenetic processes in mammals that mediate X-chromosome inactivation and genomic imprinting will be described.

Building on Applied Bioethics 1, you’ll investigate widely accepted ethical principles and apply your insights to contemporary ethical issues in agricultural, food and environmental sciences. You’ll explore the ethical dimensions of prominent issues raised by the agricultural practices (including the use of biotechnology and GM crops) designed to meet the nutritional needs of the global population. You’ll also learn about how ethical theory can inform professional choices and public policies related to food production and environmental management. You’ll have a mix of lectures, tutorials and team-based exercises to develop a sound understanding of ethical principles.

This module should give you an overall grasp of the major analytical techniques available and how they relate to each other. You will also develop your abilities in experimental design and data analysis using appropriate software and presentation of results. There will be a three hour lecture each week to study for this module.

This module will train you in the planning, execution and reporting of an independent advanced level research project. The module will help develop the skills associated with planning, recording and executing an individual research project;

• presenting research both orally and visually to an audience
• writing scientific papers
• effective time management
• understanding new research skills associated with a specific project

Project management skills are a highly transferable skill directly relevant to employment sectors. The module will cover the fundamentals of project management, including project lifecycles, leadership in project management, managing risk in projects, analysis of project successes and failures and project management software. Students will produce a documented project management outline tailored to their research project to identify the key constraints, bottlenecks and milestones. This will be supplemented by the production of appropriate project management visualisation diagram, ie a Gantt or PERT chart. They will also present an interim verbal report to their supervisors and the module convenor to rehearse such reporting skills.

This module considers the importance of engaging publics with cutting edge research and will equip you with methods of engagement that are suitable for varying audiences. 

The module aims to develop your skills in analysis and writing of research proposals. Specific areas covered include:

• communicating with awarding bodies
• how to develop a research idea
• writing a grant application
• peer review of research proposals