NNEK17001U Thematic Course: Human Nutrition

Volume 2017/2018
Education

MSc Programme in Human Nutrition

Content

The course is aimed at performing systematic reviews and meta-analyses based on self-selected topics from the human nutrition field (natural science aspects). The lectures and exercises cover systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and animal and cell studies used for human nutrition studies as well as academic writing (IMRAD) and presentation techniques. The group work will apply the systematic literature search and meta-analysis methodologies to a self-selected topic under supervision. The focus of the course is to understand the main principles of nutrition research and provide training in independent evaluation of evidence. The project work is finalized by a report (systematic review paper) and defended at an oral examination.

Learning Outcome

Knowledge: 
• Knowledge of mechanistic evidence from animal and cell studies as models for human nutrition   
• Knowledge of the scientific literature that relates to the hypothesis of the systematic review

• Knowledge of the systematic review and meta-analysis methodologies

• Knowledge of academic writing and presentation

 

Skills: 
• Identify and describe a well-defined hypothesis related to nutritional science 
• Author a systematic review to provide evidence to support the hypothesis
• Develop a meta-analysis based on the systematic review

• Discuss the results from the systematic review  
• Communicate the results of the systematic review using academic writing (review paper)

• Communicate the results of the systematic review orally


Competences: 
• Evaluation of different scientific methodologies in relation to the hypothesis 
• Critically evaluate the results of the project and its relevance to nutritional science 
• Discuss the nutritional significance and implications of the results for key groups

 

Relevant course material will be uploaded on Absalon.

Qualifications within the field of Nutrition Related Diseases and Evidence, Diet and Health
or similar
Lectures, group work and seminars. The groups will be formed based on interest in the topics and will consist of 3-5 students per group. The group work project is supervised by a scientific supervisor. At the seminars, the students will present their progress and discuss their projects. The students will receive feedback continuously on their presentations and written work at the seminars and on their project progression from the supervisor.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Exam
  • 1
  • Guidance
  • 4
  • Lectures
  • 24
  • Preparation
  • 25
  • Project work
  • 150
  • Theory exercises
  • 2
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Oral examination, 20 minutes
Description of Examination: The examination is oral and each student is examined individually. The students present a self-selected section of the group report and defend the entire report. Each student is evaluated individually.
Exam registration requirements

Submission of final group report.

Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Internal grading. More assessors.
Re-exam

If the student did not fulfill the exam registration requirements, it is possible to do this before the re-exam. To register for the re-exam, the student must hand in a 10-page report on a topic chosen by the course responsible two weeks prior to re-exam. The examination is oral (20 min), and the student will present and defend the report.   

Criteria for exam assesment

Please see "Learning Outcome".