BSc Human Nutrition Dietetics Food for Thought Dr

BSc Human Nutrition & Dietetics: Food for Thought Dr Nick Kennedy Senior Lecturer in Clinical Medicine (Nutrition) Unit of Nutrition & Dietetic Studies Dec 2007 TCD Open Day

2 What is Nutrition? • Nutrition is a branch of science devoted to the study of nutrients It interfaces with many other disciplines including biochemistry, physiology, microbiology, food science, husbandry, dietetics, medicine and public health. • Nutrition is relevant to animal health and to human health Nutrition research takes place at the laboratory level as well as in population studies (nutritional epidemiology) and in disease groups (clinical nutrition). • The Nutrition Society is a focus for nutritionists (http: //www. nutritionsociety. org) Dec 2007 TCD Open Day

3 What is Dietetics? • The dietitian seeks to prevent disease by promoting healthy eating habits • The dietitian seeks to alleviate disease through helping the subject to achieve therapeutic dietary change • The Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute is the professional organisation for dietitians in Ireland (http: //www. indi. ie) Dec 2007 TCD Open Day

4 Course Details NB course review is in progress: duration will change to 4 years (2009 intake) • Duration 4. 5 years • Outcomes § Graduate Diploma in Human Nutrition & Dietetics (DIT) § BSc in Human Nutrition & Dietetics (TCD) • Locations Initially DIT Kevin Street mainly, later elements in TCD also, based at St James’s Hospital campus. Catering in DIT Cathal Brugha St. Management and communication studies at DIT Aungier St. Placementbased studies (e. g. catering, dietetics) are distributed throughout the country. Dec 2007 TCD Open Day

Curriculum subjects year 1 NB course review is in progress: structure and content will change • • Mathematics/Information technology Physics; Chemistry; Biology/Physiology; Food Studies/Food Science; Communications; Catering Placement; Nutrition; Dietetics Dec 2007 TCD Open Day 5

Curriculum subjects year 2 NB course review is in progress: structure and content will change • Biostatistics/Information Technology/Research Methodology; • Biochemistry/Clinical Chemistry; • Physiology/Immunology; • Microbiology; • Communications; • Behavioural Science; • Nutrition; Dietetics Dec 2007 TCD Open Day 6

Curriculum subjects year 3 NB course review is in progress: structure and content will change • Biostatistics/Information Technology/Research Methodology; • Communications; Management • Behavioural Science; • Medicine; Medical Sciences; • Food Science/Food Studies; • Nutrition; Dietetics Dec 2007 TCD Open Day 7

8 Curriculum subjects years 4 / 5 NB course review is in progress: structure and content will change • Placement-based studies, 6 months • Professional studies • BSc research project, 3 months Dec 2007 TCD Open Day

9 Admission requirements • Minimum Entry Requirements § Irish Leaving Certificate in 6 subjects, including v. Mathematics (ordinary level C 3 or higher) v. English or Irish (at either level). v. Chemistry (higher level C 3 or higher) v 2 other subjects (higher level C 3 or greater) or § such qualification as the Institute and University may deem equivalent. Dec 2007 TCD Open Day

10 Admission procedure • Admissions to this course are processed by the DIT (course code DT 223) via the CAO. 2004 • Points: 520 2005 535 2006 535* 2007 525 • In addition, advanced entry and mature entry applications are considered. Dec 2007 TCD Open Day

11 Career opportunities • Clinical Nutrition (hospital and community dietetics) • Public Health Nutrition • Nutrition Industry (product development, marketing, consumer information) • Education (second or third level) • Research (public or private sector) Dec 2007 TCD Open Day

12 Some web resources • http: //www. dit. ie/DIT/study/undergraduate/programmes 08/dt 223. html • http: //www. medicine. tcd. ie/nutrition_and_dietetics/ • www. indi. ie • www. nutritionsociety. org Dec 2007 TCD Open Day