2. INTRODUCTION
Nutrition, the interaction between food and health, is
becoming increasingly important in our society today. This
programme will aim to give you a holistic understanding of
food and health, underpinned by a strong scientific
background.
Graduating as a nutritionist, you will have the skills to
apply your knowledge to promote an understanding of the
effects of diet and lifestyle on health and well-being in
people. UCD will have this BSc accredited with the
Nutrition Society. Thus all graduates will have professional
accreditation as a nutritionist.
3. CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
The academic content of this programme, together with
the experience gained from placement, leads to excellent
employment opportunities in the food industry, nutrition
research or health promotion. This course will aid you in
continuing to train as a public health nutritionist, through
further study and / or applied practice.
4. STAGE 1
Focuses on understanding the essential core sciences,
and students will also take an Introduction to Food, Diet
and Health Module. Having this core basis will aid in
understanding the complex metabolic processes
associated with food and health.
5. SEMESTER 1 CORE MODULES
-HNUT 10020
Human Nutrition 1 – Understanding Nutrition
This module will give students a comprehensive introduction to Human
Nutrition. It will deliver an introduction to dietary recommendations and
guidelines. Additionally, macronutrients , vitamins (water and fat), trace
elements and minerals will be introduced and discussed with respect to
dietary sources and special attention will be given to function and
requirements.
-MATH10230
Mathematics for Agriculture 1
An introductory module in mathematics which is designed to
complement the Agricultural Science programme.
6. -MICR20010
Agricultural Microbiology
An introduction to microbiological concepts relevant to
agricultural, environmental and food applications.
-PATH10020
Basic Principles of Cell Biolo
This module is designed to give students a basic understanding
of the molecular and cellular functions of a cell. It will explore the
basics of DNA and protein structure and function. It will introduce
the basic principles of cell communication and signalling relevant
to disease. The cell cycle and cell death will also be covered.
Basic principles of cellular immunology will be introduced.
7. SEMESTER 1 ELECTIVE MODULES
-CHEM00020
Introductory Chemistry
The module is intended for first year Agricultural Science
students and will provide an introduction to the basics principles
of chemistry and their application in soil chemistry. The
introductory lectures will deal with the structures of atoms and
the ways that atoms are combined to produce molecules and
ions, the polarity of chemical bonds.
-CHEM10040 The
Molecular World
The purposes of the module are to reinforce key basic concepts,
and to introduce students to the central role that molecular
science now plays in understanding our environment, in
understanding life processes, and in the design of new materials
and medicines.
8. SEMESTER 2 CORE MODULES
-BIOL10110
Cell Biology and Genetics
This module will provide an introduction to the cell, its structure
and functioning. Also the basis of genetics and inheritance will
be explored.
-CHEM10010
Introduction to the Chemistry of Pesticides and
Biomolecules and the Behaviour in Aqueous Systems
The module initially covers the simple chemical functional
groups that are found in bio-molecules, their systematic naming
and some of their common reactions.
-MATH10240
Mathematics for Agriculture II
A follow-on module to MATH10230.
9. -PHYC10190
Aspects of Physics for Ag. Sci
Aspects of Physics including Atoms, lasers, nuclear and light will
be covered. Applications of apsects of these elements to Arg
science will be covered.
-PHYS20030
An Introduction to Physiology: Organs and Systems
This module serves as an introduction to systems that contribute
to the constancy of the internal environment of the normal
mammalian body. Topics include the structure and function of the
heart, blood vessels and the regulated flow of oxygen and
nutrients to the vascular tissues of the body.
10. STAGE 2
You will undertake more general food and health-related
modules, where you will begin to build your knowledge of
biological systems and their application to the practice of
human nutrition. You will also undertake a wide range of
topics including areas of food chemistry and production,
sensory analysis and human nutrition.
11. SEMESTER 1 CORE MODULES
-FDSC20090
Food Macronutrients
This module is intended to equip students with an introduction to
the key biologically important organic substances which are
responsible for structure and function in living cells, namely,
carbohydrates, lipids and proteins.
-HNUT20020
Nutrition and Health
This module will introduce basic concepts of immunology,
endocrinology and metabolic balance.
12. -HNUT20070
Population Nutrition Research
This module will introduce students to nutrition research
techniques commonly used, both in the field and laboratory
settings.
-STAT20070
Data Modelling for Science
What is Statistics? Random variation - signal, noise. Populations
and random samples - the price we pay. Descriptive statistics.
Random variables - Binomial and Normal distributions - reading
the tables. Sampling Distribution of a sample proportion and of
the mean.
13. SEMESTER 2 CORE MODULES
-BMOL30020
Molecular basis of disease
This module will identify the main biochemical causes of disease
and, in so doing, aims to provide the student with an
understanding of an initial rationale for the treatment of the
particular disease in question.
-FDSC20020
Nutritional Energy Metabolism
The main aim of this module is to introduce students to how
living cells (animal and plant) can extract energy from highly
reduced organic molecules (i.e. carbohydrates, fats, proteins)
and convert them to a usable form of energy suitable to the
functions of the living cell.
14. -FDSC20030
Basic Food Analysis
The aim of this module is to provide students with the knowledge
and practical laboratory skills required to conduct basic,
quantitative chemical analysis, including food analysis.
-HNUT20060
Human Nutrition II - Nutrients in Life Stages
This module will cover the key physiology and biological
changes that occur from pregnancy through to old age, with an
emphasis on the importance of nutrients during these different
stages of the lifespan
15. -HNUT20080
Laboratory Nutrition Research
This module will introduce students to techniques commonly
used in a research laboratory. The theoretical background of
these techniques will be dealt with in detail. Laboratory and
techniques classes will give hands on-experience with some of
the techniques covered in lectures.
-RDEV20140
Health, Welfare & Safety in Agriculture
This is an undergraduate module designed for students of
Agricultural Science who are required to undertake professional
work experience (PWE). It focuses on developing greater
awareness and knowledge of health and safety issues related to
agriculture, the food industry and associated areas.
16. STAGE 3
-HNUT30170
Professional Work Experience
Students will complete a 10-month placement in the food industry, nutrition research, health
promotion or nutrition regulatory bodies in their 3rd year. Placements will be in Ireland, UK,
Europe or possibly further afield. It is intended that on completion of their Professional Work
Experience (PWE) placements students will have a greater understanding of the role of the
nutritionist and a greater appreciation of the relevance of technical information presented to
them in their degree course. Students will see the practical application of many subjects,
analyses and principles, will have the opportunity to improve their written, oral and
communication skills and to practice appropriate professional conduct in the workplace.
During this period, students will complete a research project, maintain a monthly diary of
activities and complete an oral presentation on their year when they return. This period of
Professional Work Experience is mandatory and must be undertaken in Stage 3. Successful
completion of this module is mandatory for graduating on completion of Stage 4.Students
must familiarise themselves with and abide by the regulations for PWE as set out by the
Agricultural Sciences Programme Board. For each placement, a host contract must be
completed, signed by the host and received by UCD, before the placement will be deemed to
have commenced by UCD. Furthermore, placements (and parts thereof) which have been
completed in the absence of an appropriately completed host contract will not be accepted.
Only in the most exceptional circumstances will any deviation from this requirement be
permitted and this must have the agreement, in writing, of the PWE co-ordinator.
17. STAGE 4
The final stage of this degree will focus on more specific
areas of human nutrition including Molecular Nutrition,
Public Health Nutrition and Clinical Nutrition. You will
consolidate your understanding of all core sciences into a
professional understanding of human nutrition.
18. SEMESTER 1 CORE MODULES
-HNUT40020
Nutritional Metabolism
This module will cover lipid metabolism, vitamin metabolism and
integration of macronutrient metabolism.
-PHPS40610
Food Safety
This module presents a structured and detailed description of both
defined and emerging risks to public health associated with the
modern food chain
-PHPS40740
Public Health Nutrition
This module will give you a basic understanding of the concepts
of nutritional epidemiology, the methods employed to analyse
the relationship between diet and nutrition status, focusing on
specific nutrient deficiencies, dietary patterns, and growing
chronic disease.
19. SEMESTER 2 CORE MODULES
-HNUT40220
Clinical Nutrition
This module provides an integrated study of the role of diet in
the cause and treatment of disease.
-HNUT40240
Food Regulation
This module is intended to give you a basic understanding of
how European food regulatory processes work and to study
some of the key drivers of European food regulatory affairs.
-PHPS40670
Nutrition & Communication
This module covers the broad area of molecular nutrition and
nutrigenomics.
20. YEAR LONG MODULE
PHPS40700
Project (Human Nutrition)
The final year project will involve either a Research Project or a
Literature Review. Students will be assigned an individualized
final year project (and project supervisor) decided upon by the
academic team. The decision of the academic team is final and
no changes will be made.
