2023-24
Degree of Master of Science (Medical Science) in Human Nutrition with Specialisation
RESOLUTION
The Degree of Master of Science (Medical Science) in Human Nutrition is governed by Resolution No. 707 of the University Court, the provisions of which are as follows:
- The Degree of Master of Science (Medical Science) [MSc (Med Sci)] may be awarded by the University of Glasgow in the College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences.
- The Senate may make regulations governing the award of the Degree which are subject to the approval of the University Court - these are set out in the section entitled ‘Regulations’ below.
REGULATIONS
A student admitted onto the programme must follow the instructions issued by the relevant School and be aware of the content of the Programme Specification and the Programme Document (often referred to as the Programme or ‘Course’ Handbook) which will contain further details of the Programme and may include further requirements associated with the award.
1. Admission
Before being considered for admission to study for an award to which these Regulations apply, a candidate must normally have obtained a degree or equivalent.
2. Duration of Study
The minimum period of study for the award of the Degree is 12 calendar months. The maximum period for full-time study is 24 calendar months of registered study. The maximum period within which all candidates must complete the programme is five years from the date of initial registration.
3. Programme Components
3.1 In order to qualify for the award of the degree a candidate must complete 180 credits,[1] consisting of 120 credits of taught courses and a 60 credit dissertation.
3.2 The taught courses will normally be undertaken during the academic session (September – June) and are specified in the relevant Programme Document. The length and nature of the dissertation is as specified in the relevant Programme Document.
4. Minimum Requirement for the Award of Credits
4.1 Credits for taught courses contributing to a candidate’s curriculum shall be awarded subject to the fulfilment of required conditions. The minimum requirements for the award of credits are set out in the Code of Assessment at §16.40 – §16.44 of the ‘University Fees and General Information for Students’ section of the University Regulations.
5. Assessment
5.1 For each academic session, assessment and reassessment are, insofar as not modified by these regulations, governed by the Code of Assessment which is contained in the ‘University Fees and General Information for Students’ section of the University Regulations published for that session.
5.2 Reassessment in relation to the 120 credits of taught courses referred to at §3.1 is governed by the following:
a) Where the course grade achieved by a candidate at the first attempt is less than grade C3, eligibility for, and the outcomes from, reassessment are those set out in §16.6 - 16.8 of the Code of Assessment (Provision for Reassessment).
b) Where the course grade achieved by a candidate at the first attempt is C3 or above, the candidate will be eligible for one reassessment opportunity in any component in which they have achieved less than grade D3. The number of grade points contributing to the candidate’s grade point average for that course will be those derived from the course grade achieved at first attempt.
5.3 Courses for which the candidate has registered must be counted towards the calculation of the candidate’s grade point average for the purposes of §8 unless other provision is justified by good cause circumstances affecting the candidate.
This regulation applies where course registration continues:
a) on the date on which the first summative assessment for that course is to be submitted; or
b) on such other date as may be specified in the course document for that course.
5.4 For the purposes of all summative assessments §16.52 of the Code of Assessment for Undergraduate and Taught Postgraduate Programmes does not apply. For all courses 100% submission of assessments is required.
6. Progress
6.1 A candidate will be permitted to progress to preparation of the dissertation only if, in the 120 credits of taught courses referred to in §3, they have obtained:
a) a grade point average[2] of at least 12.0; and
b) a grade D3 or above in all components of summative assessment.
6.2 In the event that after all opportunities at assessment have been exhausted the candidate does not achieve the standard required in relation to the taught courses specified in §6.1, the candidate will not progress to the dissertation but may transfer their registration to the MSc (Med Sci) Human Nutrition & Knowledge Transfer which has provision for the additional exit awards of Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma.
7. Reassessment of Dissertation
7.1 Where a candidate requires a higher grade in the dissertation to satisfy the requirements set out in §8.1, reassessment of that dissertation will be permitted on one occasion only, under such conditions as the Examiners may prescribe in each case. Normally, resubmission should be no later than three months after the date of the meeting of the Board of Examiners. There is no automatic entitlement to repeat any previous practical work associated with the dissertation or to undertake further practical work.
8. Requirements for the Award of Degree of Master of Science and Rules for Award of Distinction and Merit
8.1 A candidate will be eligible for the award of the Degree on obtaining:
a) in relation to the 120 credits of taught courses referred to in §3, a grade point average[2] of at least 12.0 and grade D3 or above in all components of summative assessment; and
b) grade D3 or above in the dissertation.
8.2 §8.4 and §8.6 refer to the ‘weighted course grade profile’. This means the profile of course grades obtained across the 180 credits completed on the programme at the first attempt and weighted to reflect the relative credit weightings of the courses.[3]
8.3 A candidate will be eligible for the award of Merit on achieving at the first attempt:
a) a grade point average of at least 14.5 in the 180 credits completed on the programme; and
b) a grade point average of at least 14.0 in the taught courses; and
c) a grade of C1 or above in the dissertation.
8.4 Where a candidate has satisfied the requirements set out at §8.3 (b) and (c), and their grade point average for the 180 credits completed on the programme at the first attempt falls within the range 14.1 to 14.4 the Board of Examiners shall make the award with Merit where at least 50% of the weighted course grade profile comprises grades of B or above.
8.5 A candidate will be eligible for the award of Distinction on achieving at the first attempt:
a) a grade point average of at least 17.5 across the 180 credits completed on the programme; and
b) a grade point average of at least 17.0 in the taught courses; and
c) a grade of B1 or above in the dissertation.
8.6 Where a candidate has satisfied the requirements set out at §8.5 (b) and (c), and their grade point average for the 180 credits completed on the programme at the first attempt falls within the range 17.1 to 17.4 the Board of Examiners shall make the award with Distinction where at least 50% of the weighted course grade profile comprises A grades.
9. Fitness to Practise
All candidates must observe a standard of behaviour and professional conduct required of an Association for Nutrition Registered or Associate Nutritionist. A candidate in breach of the Association for Nutrition Standards of Ethics, Conduct & Performance will be subject to Fitness to Practise procedures, which may include referral to the School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing Fitness to Practise Committee. This Committee has the authority to confirm the exclusion of any student whose Fitness to Practise is found to be impaired. (See ‘University Fees and General Information for Students’ Regulation 36 of the University Regulations.)
10. Designation of Degree
The Degree may be awarded with the following Designations:
MSc (Med Sci) Human Nutrition
MSc (Med Sci) Human Nutrition (Clinical Nutrition)
MSc (Med Sci) Human Nutrition (Obesity & Weight Management)
MSc (Med Sci) Human Nutrition (Public Health Nutrition)
MSc (Med Sci) Human Nutrition (Sport & Exercise Nutrition)
[1] In compliance with the Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework a minimum component of the total credit must be gained from Masters level courses (level M/SCQF level 11) as follows: 150 credits for a Masters Degree.
[2] The grade point average is determined with reference to the schedule of grades and grade points contained in Schedule A and Schedule B of the University’s Code of Assessment. The grade point average is calculated by taking the product of each course’s weight and the candidate’s grade points and dividing the sum of these products by the sum of the courses’ weights. The weights shall correspond to the courses’ credit ratings unless specified otherwise in the relevant programme documentation. The grade point average is expressed to one decimal place (§16.34(a) of the Code of Assessment). In determining whether a candidate has satisfied requirements in relation to progress and award, no further rounding is permitted. For example, a grade point average of 11.9 would not satisfy a requirement for a grade point average of 12.0.
[3] Illustrations of weighted grade profiles are given in the Guide to the Code of Assessment.