Nutrition
|BSc
|Full Time
| UCAS code: B400This is a broad-based three-year degree that prepares the student to be a nutrition scientist. The aims of the programme are to provide students with an in-depth knowledge of all key aspects of nutrition within a research-led environment, to foster an understanding of the influence of food intake on human health and to equip students with skills in critical analysis, information technology and communication. As active researchers in Diet & Cardiovascular Health, Diabetes, Diet & Gut Health and Mineral Metabolism, the academics in King’s College London instil in students a contemporary evidence-based knowledge of these and other areas of nutritional sciences, from the molecular and genetic through clinical to public health.
Students may be offered the chance to take an extramural year between second and final year, taking up paid employment in an industrial or research establishment in the UK or elsewhere in Europe. On returning to the university for the final year, the student’s performance during the extramural placement will be assessed through a written dissertation and poster presentation. The extramural year greatly expands the student’s work and research experience, and often improves the choice of job opportunities after graduation.
The course is accredited by the Association for Nutrition, which means graduates may register as nutritionists on the UK Voluntary Register of Nutritionists, a body which aims to regulate the professional practice of nutrition. Graduates are prepared for careers in a wide variety of fields, including the food industry, product development in the retail sector, national and international public health and health promotion, journalism and scientific research.
A high proportion of our Nutrition graduates continue to work in the area. In view of the growing public health concerns that relate to diet and lifestyle and public interest in food and health, properly qualified registered nutritionists are highly sought after. Many are employed in food industry, consumer groups, major food retailers, governmental and non-governmental agencies, media, community nutrition in the UK and public health in developing countries. Graduates often continue to study as the BSc Nutrition prepares them for postgraduate education in molecular sciences (eg: nutrigenomics, nutritional immunology), clinical sciences (eg: dietetics) and public health (eg: international health and development).
Throughout the BSc Nutrition programme the ‘open door policy’ means that students can seek career and profession advice from their tutors at any stage. In the final year, Nutrition Profession Study Days are held, whereby students are given specific career advice and guidance for the nutrition profession from academic tutors, the Careers Services at King’s College London and from external professionals working in a variety of disciplines in nutrition.
Teaching is based on lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical classes, directed reading and supervised research. There is ample scope for students to pursue their own lines of interest in course work, research protocol design and project choice. The Franklin Wilkins Building library facilitates literature based and electronic work. The Metabolic Research Unit in the Department facilitates the running of small human clinical trials.
The Dietetic Kitchen in the Department facilitates the preparation of food-based nutrition interventions. The laboratories in the Department and the Franklin Wilkins Building Genomics Centre facilitate state-of-the-art molecular nutrition research. You will also be assigned a Personal Tutor who can advise on academic or personal issues you may be experiencing.
Examination and assessment for the programme is by formal written examinations, essays, coursework, practical reports and seminar presentations. The balance of assessment methods varies with each module.
In view of our central London location, there are a wide range of different practice placements that students can take part in (clinical, community, public health) working with a range of diverse populations.
Students accepting a place on B401 will also be required to obtain occupational health clearance and Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) clearance at the enhanced level.
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