Global Public Health Nutrition MSc

This module introduces you to the basic concepts and principles of nutritional science that underpin the theory and practice of public health nutrition. You will explore the role of macro and micronutrients in maintaining health, and their effects when consumed in excess or when deficient, through the appraisal of scientific information relating to their structure, function, sources and bioavailability. This module emphasises the skills required to develop a critical understanding of the scientific basis of nutritional requirements, factors that influence them, and how they are applied to populations throughout the lifecycle.

This module will introduce the discipline of public health within an international context. Within this, three key themes are explored. Firstly what is public health and what is its scope. Secondly an exploration of nutrition and disease, including the definition of and consequences of an unbalanced diet, and finally changing patterns of diet and disease across the globe. In this way the module provides key knowledge and skills that are a foundation for future professional practice.

This module examines evidence-based approaches to the prevention, management and control of nutritional disorders of public health significance. The module introduces you to project and strategic management tools and principles to increase your skills and employability.

This module introduces the political influences on health and nutrition policies and governance. Students will explore policy making and governance frameworks and carry out a policy analysis for their assessment. Students are supported to become more reflective practitioners, helping them to develop skills like effective team leadership and performing well under stress while managing conflict. There is a strong emphasis on developing your skills for professional practice, including professional accountability and ethics.

This module aims to develop your knowledge and competence of the research design process, exploring both qualitative and quantitative methodologies and quality assurance tools to be used in the application of research methods in the area of global public health nutrition.

This module project is an extended piece of research on a relevant topic that you are interested in, with the approval of your supervisor and course leader. The topic will draw on knowledge, skills and methodological techniques covered by the course. It will need to focus on research which can improve health and nutrition outcomes in either a low middle or high income context.

This module will explore the many challenges to sustainable, safe and equitable food supplies. Different conceptual frameworks, such as food security and food regimes, will be compared with food, providing a lens to examine the contributions of different academic disciplines in developing multi-sectoral actions. Food security assessment tools will be introduced and used. The role of the UN, government and private sector actors in relation to food production, trade, access and consumption will be examined, while current policies to establish safe and equitable food supplies will also be discussed. Factors such as the impact of climate change will also be examined.

You will cover the theory and techniques used to assess nutritional status, and gain practical skills in the measurement of body composition, energy expenditure and anthropometry.

This module is designed to provide an overview of nutrition in humanitarian emergencies. The issues covered include an introduction to the humanitarian charter and global standards for coordination and accountability. The module introduces tools for identifying and addressing context specific challenges, for improving nutrition outcomes, in a variety of emergency contexts. It includes sessions on emergency trends, lessons learnt from recent emergencies, early warning systems and disaster risk reduction plans. Food security assessments will be analysed and used to assess food systems in emergency context.

The module covers population nutrition and health assessments and interventions specific to emergency contexts, as well as exploring the role of global challenges such as gender, food insecurity and climate change on rising numbers of emergencies. The Global Nutrition Targets and Sustainable development goals will be assessed and debated. Issues such as conflict and addressing migration and the right to food and health in emergencies form a central theme. The module will have links to employability opportunities via alumni and NGOs. 

This module gives you the opportunity to gain essential skills and experience in working with communities and public health nutrition organisations to promote population health and well being. You will be taught essential nutrition assessment, health promotion and programme planning skills including supporting populations to improve nutrition and physical activity for the improvement of their health and well-being. You will be offered an opportunity to gain practical experience within communities through work placements for ten weeks overall.

Initially the module will focus on specific theoretical content, to ensure you have developed the essential knowledge and competencies needed for your placement. On placement you will conduct community nutrition and health needs assessments, with trained health and nutrition professionals, working together to collect and analyse population data on health, nutrition and physical activity. This will feed into the co-created development and execution of a health and nutrition intervention. Principles of EDI and professional AFN competencies will be taught and adhered to.