View Specification DocumentNutrition in Health & Disease Prevention 4Y option BIOL4036
- Academic Session: 2026-27
- School: School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic
- Credits: 20
- Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
- Typically Offered: Semester 1
- Available to Visiting Students: Yes
- Collaborative Online International Learning: No
- Curriculum For Life: No
Short Description
Students will learn how to interpret nutritional epidemiology studies by looking in detail at the latest research papers to examine the relationships between diet and chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
Timetable
There are normally two 90-minutes sessions on Fridays.
Requirements of Entry
Normally, only available to final-year Life Sciences students in a Human Biology & Nutrition or Physiology Sports Science & Nutrition programme. Visiting students may be allowed to enrol, at the discretion of the Life Sciences Chief Adviser and the Course Coordinator.
Excluded Courses
None.
Assessment
The course will be assessed by a 1-hour data handling examination (30%) and in-course assessment consisting of a poster presentation or infographic (10%) and a portfolio (60%).
The portfolio will consist of a review of epidemiological evidence on the role of diet and chronic disease prevention, studies will be organised based on hierarchy of evidence using evidence tables.
Main Assessment In: April/May
Course Aims
This course aims to train students in using scientific evidence to understand the role of nutrition in chronic disease prevention and health.
Intended Learning Outcomes of Course
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
■ Define and critically evaluate relevant concepts and basic methods used in nutritional epidemiology;
■ Critically discuss the role of diet on the epidemiology of major chronic diseases;
■ Discuss strategies used for nutrition promotion;
■ Use scientific evidence to communicate nutrition information related to health aimed at the general public.