EPN-V2

MAVIT4800 Personalized Nutrition Course description

Course name in Norwegian
Persontilpasset ernæring
Study programme
Master´s Programme in Health and Technology - Specialisation in Biomedicine
Master's Programme in Health Sciences - specialisation in Empowerment and Health Promotion
Master's Programme in Health Sciences - specialisation in Nutrition Competencies for Health Professionals
Master´s Programme in Pharmacy
Master's Programme in Health Sciences - specialisation in Public Health Nutrition
Master´s Programme in Health and Technology - Specialisation in Radiography
Master's Programme in Health Sciences
Weight
10.0 ECTS
Year of study
2025/2026
Curriculum
FALL 2025
Schedule
Programme description
Course history

Introduction

Language of instruction: Norwegian

It is known that individuals respond differently to intake of the same food. Much of this individual response can be explained by individual gene variants, epigenetics, gut microbiota and exposure to environmental factors. Personalised nutrition is nutritional advice adapted to individuals or groups of ‘similar’ individuals. The nutritional advice is therefore based on the individual’s biology in interaction with the environment. Personalised nutrition is a discipline related to personalised or precision medicine, where also individual variations form the basis for preventing and treating illness. These disciplines are developing very rapidly due to technological developments and increased knowledge in the field of molecular biology. This course aims to provide an introduction to key concepts and technological methods related to personalised nutrition and medicine. It will also provide an insight into how personalised nutrition can contribute to improve the health of individuals and thereby public health

Required preliminary courses

The student must have been admitted to the Master’s Programme in Health Sciences, Pharmacy or Health and Technology.

The course is also available for students outside the programme and can be applied to individually. Applicants s must have a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent degree in health and social care, public health or sports subjects from an accredited university or college. The grade C requirement does not apply to admission to individual courses.

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

  • can discuss important concepts in personalised nutrition and medicine, such as nutrigenomics, nutrigenetics, epigenetics, gene variants (SNPs) and systems biology
  • can discuss the causes and significance of individual responses to intake of food and the development of non-communicable diseases
  • can describe large-scale biotechnological methods that form the basis for knowledge about individual responses and personalised nutrition and medicine
  • can critically discuss ethical and personal data challenges related to personalised nutrition, such as knowledge about gene variants and risk of illness

Skills

The student

  • can critically assess problems related to the use of personalised nutrition
  • can discuss social implications of using individual rather than population-based dietary advice

General competence

The student

  • can stay up to date on new biotechnological and scientific methods that are important for understanding individual variation and the development of non-communicable diseases
  • can communicate the significance of personalised nutrition in a well-founded, scientific manner

Teaching and learning methods

The course will be mainly online, except for one seminar on campus during the start of the course. The online course will involve presentations, seminars and supervision. The course will use varied, student-active working methods, individually and in groups. The student is responsible to be up-to-date on activities and academic content in the learning platforms.

Course requirements

The following coursework must have been approved in order for a student to be permitted to take the examination:

  • Presentation (poster or talk) of a chosen topic in personalised nutrition, individually or in groups of two to three students.

Assessment

An individual home examination over 48 hours in the form of a written report based on a given template. Scope: 2,000 words (+/- 10%).

Permitted exam materials and equipment

All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with.

Grading scale

Grade scale A-F.

Examiners

All answers are assessed by one examiner.

An external examiner is used regularly, at a minimum of every third completion of the course. When selecting answers for external evaluation, a minimum of 10 percent of the answers shall be included, with no fewer than 5 answers. The external examiner’s assessment of the selected answers shall benefit all students.

Admission requirements

The student must have been admitted to the Master’s Programme in Health Sciences, Pharmacy or Health and Technology.

The course is also available for students outside the programme and can be applied to individually. Applicants s must have a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent degree in health and social care, public health or sports subjects from an accredited university or college. The grade C requirement does not apply to admission to individual courses.

Overlapping courses

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