Bachelor of Science Honours in Community Nutrition

Purpose

The qualification provides comprehensive education in Food and Nutrition. This enables graduates who are already health professionals to function in a multi-sectoral, interdisciplinary, collaborative and participatory approach in solving problems of health, food and nutrition in the community and/or public.

Rationale

The qualification is responsive to the developmental needs of the Southern African region. The qualification trains health professionals who will be able to address nutrition problems in the rural area (i.e. undernutrition amongst children under five years while addressing problems of over nutrition amongst adult population). The Limpopo Province is faced with double burden of malnutrition, poverty and high unemployment rate among women. The qualification will produce graduates who will contribute in the development of nutrition intervention strategies which will help in addressing nutrition related problems.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Access to this Honours Degree will be granted to candidates not in possession of a relevant 3-year qualification but who meet the admission requirements through the Recognition of Prior Learning, at the discretion of the institution and in agreement with the relevant quality council.

Entry Requirements

Bachelor's Degree at Level 7 in Health, Natural, Food Sciences or Agricultural Sciences.

The candidate should satisfy the requirements for Bachelor of Science Honour in Community Nutrition.

The candidate must accumulate 120 Credits in the required modules

Compulsory

• Community Nutrition and Social Development RCN 5541, 10 Credits.
• Nutritional Epidemiology RNE 5541, 10 Credits.
• Nutritional Assessment RNA 5541, 10 Credits.
• Nutrition Intervention Strategies and Project Planning and Management RCN 5641, 20 Credits.
• Research in Human Nutrition Mini-Project RNP 5741, 20 Credits.
• Social perspectives of Public Health Nutrition RPH 5541, 10 Credits.
• Advanced topics in Public Health Nutrition RPH 5641, 10 Credits.

Total credits: 80.

Elective Modules (Choose to make 40 Credits)

• Micronutrients and Disease Prevention RMP 5521, 10 Credits.
• Maternal Nutrition, Early Development and Aging RMN 5521, 15 Credits.
• Nutrition and Sports RSN 5641, 10 Credits.
• Special topics in Human Nutrition and Seminar RSP 5621, 15 Credits.
• Nutrition Management of Chronic Diseases RNT 5621, 10 Credits.
• Food Laws and Policy Making RFL 5621, 10 Credits.
• Nutrition Computing RNC 5621, 5 Credits.

1. A comprehensive understanding of principles of nutrition particularly as applied to community-based, integrated nutrition programmes.
2. A comprehensive understanding of methodologies used in nutrition assessment.
3. A demonstrable ability to design, implement and evaluate intersectoral programmes aimed at addressing nutritional problems at all levels.
4. A demonstrable capacity for project management in the context of health programming as a competent programme manager at any level.
5. A demonstrable ability to apply innovative programmatic approaches in solving community nutrition related problems.
6. A demonstrable ability to disseminate health and nutrition information for purposes of nutrition awareness and health promotion.
7. A demonstrable ability to participate in research project development and implementation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Critical analytic skills are applied in the evaluation of the effectiveness of the nutrition integrated programmes.
• Critical analysis of the impact of nutrition intervention programmes on health and development.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Nutritional assessment techniques are demonstrated and applied.
• Dietary analysis utilising computer software is demonstrated.
• An understanding of methods for assessing nutritional status of an individual.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Critical analytic thinking in interpretation of policy in terms of the health and nutritional; status impact on community.
• Clear understanding of policies and regulations in food and agricultural products.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Critical analytic skills are applied in the evaluation of management and control systems of nutritional services at district and community level.
• Management development and quality assurance skills are demonstrated in the planning and management of nutrition projects.
• Team work in project design and management is demonstrated.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Analyse the relationship between management and organisational theories.
• Analyse impact of nutrition intervention strategies on the nutritional status of community.
• Critical analytic skills are applied in the evaluation of the nutrition intervention.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Demonstrate ability to develop and use the teaching material.
• Demonstrate ability to communicate nutrition and health messages to different communities.
• Demonstrate different communication techniques.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Skills in proposal writing are applied in the preparation of the proposal.
• Critical analysis of nutrition research results and how it relates to good health.
• Applied research skills are demonstrated during data collection.

Integrated Assessment

For this qualification, candidates are assessed through test, assignment, presentation, project report as well as written examination at the end of each semester. However, research project is assessed by internal and external examiners end of the year (summative assessment).