Evidence on nutrition and health NUTR-204
The course deepens the student´s knowledge on study designs and the evaluation of the scientific evidence between human nutrition and non-communicable diseases (NCD). The roles of diet, other lifestyle factors, psychosocial factors and genes in the prevention of NCDs will be discussed.
Advanced literature examination NUTR-205
The examination includes reading latest literature on the subject related to both nutritional physiology and public health nutrition. It provides an opportunity to demonstrate the overall knowledge acquired during the Master’s programme.
Nutritional Physiology and Molecular Nutrition focuses on the functions and interactions of nutrients in the body, systemic and molecular mechanisms by which diets and nutrients affect the development of chronic diseases, and the experimental study designs in nutrition science.
Advanced nutritional physiology NUTR-211
The course focuses on the physiological regulation of food intake, digestion and absorption of macro- and micronutrients as well as their transport, metabolism, and storage and functions at the molecular and physiological level. In addition, short and long-term mechanisms involved in metabolic regulation will be covered.
Diet related molecular mechanisms of chronic diseases NUTR-212
The course deals with the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying age-related chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer, and sheds light on how diet, nutrients, stress, sleep, and gut microbiota influence the development of these diseases.
Experimental nutrition research NUTR-213
The course aims to provide the students theoretical understanding of the methods and experimental designs (human interventions, animal experiments, cell culture studies) used to study the effects of nutrition on physiological and molecular pathways in health and disease.
Public Health Nutrition provides insight into the nutritional factors affecting the health of a population and population groups and the use of this insight to promote health. It also addresses nutritional questions related to food services and integrates social and behavioural aspects of food and eating.
This module has a choice from four different courses, each 5 ECTS. To complete the module, you need three courses. However, you may very well choose all four courses of this module (15 ECTS in your elective module + 5 ECTS additionally).
Nutrition and society NUTR-221
The student will learn the basics of how to plan, execute and evaluate a health promotion program. Issues related to the interactions between human nutrition science and the society, such as global views on chronic diseases and the effect of the diet on environmental issues, will also be discussed.
Nutritional epidemiology NUTR-223
Nutritional epidemiology focuses on the relationships between dietary factors and health outcomes in order to prevent diseases and promote health. The course introduces the principles of epidemiological research with a focus on emphasizing assessment of dietary exposures, methodological considerations, and statistical issues such as energy adjustment. The course covers key statistical methods and practical exercises conducted with SPSS.
Health promotion through food services NUTR-225
The course focuses on food services and their role in health promotion. The course deepens the understanding of dietary guidelines in regulating nutritional quality of meals served in public food services. The role of nutritional expertise in food services is discussed.
Food systems and nutrition in low- and middle-income countries NUTR-226
The course focuses on the characteristics and determinants of food security and nutrition status in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Different forms of malnutrition, their consequences and approaches to improve the situation will be discussed.
The kaleidoscope of human nutrition studies NUTR-201
During the first autumn semester of NUTR, all students participate in an opening course called The kaleidoscope of human nutrition studies. This course uses active student participation, group works, presentation, etc. in order to tackle a timely topic related to NUTR. The aim is to use a multidisciplinary approach, to learn from each other and to open up the width and possibilities of this Master’s program.
Dietary assessment methods NUTR-202
The student learns the main aspects of food consumption studies: dietary assessment methods and their validity, food composition databases, ethical and cultural aspects in dietary assessment, analyses and interpretation of data, and presentation of results.
Nutritional status assessment NUTR-203
The course aims to provide the students theoretical and practical understanding of the physiological and biochemical methods used to assess nutritional status, body composition, physical activity and energy expenditure and gives examples on the application of the methods.
You need to complete one methodological course as a part of your studies, such as
Experimental nutrition research NUTR-213
Nutritional epidemiology NUTR-223
The optional studies offer the student the possibility to strengthen the essential knowledge base needed for the advanced studies. Optional studies also make it possible to focus the studies by choosing theoretical and methodological courses from other degree programmes at UH or in other universities. Courses completed in student exchange may also be optional studies. Advanced level courses from the NUTR programme that do not belong to the student´s advanced study module may also be used here.
Examples of optional studies:
Development of Scientific expertise in Nutritional Physiology NUTR-241
Development of Scientific expertise in Public Health Nutrition NUTR-242
Changing theme course in Nutrition Science NUTR-9000 / NUTR-9001
Food and nutrition in the media NUTR-243
The course explores the various forms of expert communication in the field of food and nutrition, including journal articles, news reports, blog posts, opinion pieces, and policy briefs. Students will learn to produce and evaluate different types of communication while emphasizing responsible communication.
Optional studies in other degree programmes of University of Helsinki
You may choose between 5 and 10 ECTS of work-related studies. Typically, this means practical training in a suitable company, municipality, research group, NGO or governmental organisation.
Examples of career skills courses:
Practical training Traineeship NUTR-251
Research group internship NUTR-252
Service-Learning NUTR-253
Other discipline-related activities NUTR-254
Portfolio NUTR-255