Master of Science in Nutrition

The qualification aims to educate and train researchers who can contribute to the development of knowledge at an advanced level in the field of nutrition. Successful completion of the qualification equips the learner with specialist knowledge to apply the principles of human nutritional sciences, including factors influencing food patterns, nutritional status and epidemiology. The qualification requires the learner to use scientific information to develop policies and qualifications, public health strategies, dietary recommendations and guidelines as well as government and international reports. Achievement of this qualification is through either the research master's qualification by dissertation; or structured by coursework and) dissertation.

Rationale

Qualifying learners expand the leadership in South Africa in the field of nutrition, for innovative, knowledge-based economical scholastic and social activity. Due to the legacy of acute inequity in health science in the country, this qualification aims to address these inequities. The qualification enables its learners to be members of the leaders in their field, having mastered specialist disciplines, in the field of nutrition-related problems in the country. The nutritional researcher must identify research areas on scientific literature, public health needs and develop hypotheses. The researcher must design protocols to test hypotheses, execute research with appropriate methods, analyse and interpret results. The researcher then communicates results to fellow scientists, practitioners, and the target population through proper channels. The qualifying learner shows applicable competencies to continue with doctoral studies on NQF level 10.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Through the acceptance of prior learning (RPL) policy, the institution may grant a learner who does not meet the minimum admission requirements admission to the qualification.

In cases where the learner chooses the coursework variant, the granting of advanced standing may be by exempting the learner from the recognised modules required for the completion of the qualification. RPL takes only informal or non-formal learning into consideration through RPL. The institution must document the process of equivalence-setting between such learning and formal modules and records its outcome on the official learner record. Where a learner was granted exemption for one or more modules as a consequence of RPL, completion of the relevant qualification results from obtaining the remaining HEMIS credits.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• A relevant Bachelor Honours qualification, NQF Level 8.

Or

• A relevant postgraduate diploma at NQF Level 8 in the field of Nutrition.

Or

• Bachelor of Science in Dietetics or Nutrition, NQF Level 8.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 192 Credits.

Compulsory Modules,96 Credits

• Dissertation: Nutrition, 96 Credits.

Elective Modules, 96 Credits (Choose/Select three)

• Evidence-based data interpretation, 32 Credits.
• Nutritional Epidemiology, 32 Credits.
• Public Health Nutrition, 32 Credits.
• Molecular Nutrition, 32 Credits.
• Sports Nutrition, 32 Credits.

1. Identify a relevant research problem within the field of Nutrition.
2. Plan and execute a suitable quantitative and qualitative research topic scientifically and ethically. Using appropriate research methods, techniques and procedures; to interpret the research findings in a scientifically responsible way.
3. Compose a research report on it in the form of a dissertation or article format.
4. Use critical knowledge and understanding of the ethical and legal considerations applicable to research and the consequences of interventions on individual, group and community level.

Associated Assessment Criteria 1

• Integrate and apply expert knowledge and high levels of theoretical understanding in a complex and specialised area within the field of nutrition and across specialised or applied areas.
• Make an original contribution to the knowledge society in food.

Associated Assessment Criteria 2

• Apply and develop intellectual independence and advanced research skills, sophisticated knowledge and research methodologies to the solution of complex, unfamiliar problems in the field of nutrition.
• Conduct the research ethically by applying the suitable method.
• Formulate research findings.

Associated Assessment Criteria 3

• Generate, synthesise and evaluate information and concepts at highly abstract levels and make sound evaluations based on independently generated criteria.
• Show mastery of the literature by producing original insights into new and complex ideas, information and issues in a specific area of nutrition.

Associated Assessment Criteria 4

• Produce an acceptable dissertation/mini-dissertation or other forms of research.
• Successfully defend the dissertation/mini-dissertation.

Integrated Assessment

Master's Degree by coursework and dissertation: Calculation of the final mark: 50% is from modules 50%; and 50% from research. The coursework makes use of continuous formative assessment aimed at determining the student's progress towards attaining outcomes, and is followed by a summative assessment in the format of a 3 and more hour written examination. While current literature is reviewed, the supervisor assesses continuously and while the research happens the dissertation is being written. Examination of the dissertation is finally done by at least two examiners.

Master's Degree by dissertation: Students submit a single advanced research project, culminating in the production and acceptance of a dissertation or other forms of research. In the dissertation the student must provide proof that he / she is confident with the research methodology and that is presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the prescribed outcomes for a master's degree at the institution.