Nutrition - Online Course

This Health and Social Care Course is suitable for you if you are new to your role in health or social care or if you wish to gain this valuable qualification and find a job in this sector.

Access to the Programme

Mature Applicants with relevant life and work experience are welcomed. The Course Advisor is available to meet with prospective learners to discuss and advise on the course details, career and academic opportunities and assess your suitability for the course.

Entry Criteria

Entry criteria / prerequisites Level 4 Certificate / Leaving Certificate (or equivalent) or relevant life experience detailed in a current Curriculum Vitae. Please provide details and attach a copy of either a current CV or Certificate. Learners must be a resident of Ireland / based in Ireland.

English

As this NFQ level 5 qualification is delivered through English it is necessary learners will have sufficient written English skills to complete this course. Forus Training recommends a minimum English language competency of IELTS 5.5 (or equivalent) for successful completion of this programme. If you are not sure what level of English competency you have, please contact hello@forustraining.ie and a Course Advisor will arrange for you to take an assessment.

IT Skills and Equipment Required

Basic working knowledge of computers and access to a computer with internet access is required to do the course. A PC with Windows 8 or later or a Mac with OSX 10.5 or later.

• An internet connection with a speed of at least 10mbps.
• The latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Edge or Safari, set to accept cookies and pop-ups.
• Adobe Flash and Adobe Reader, to view content.
• Word processing software, such as MS Word or Google Docs.
• Some courses include video, therefore your computer must be capable of playing video and sound.

* eLearning and tutor support may vary by course, please check each course page for details.

Reasonable Accommodation

To reinforce inclusion for all our learners we offer customised learning support for individual applicants who require accommodations. Additional Requirements Forus Training provide a range of supports for learners to ensure that our programmes and services are accessible to all.

On application for a course with Forus Training please discuss any additional requirements with the Course Advisor at hello@forustraining.ie so that the appropriate supports for teaching, learning and assessment can be considered. It is important that you discuss your needs with centre staff as early as possible.

Throughout this programme, you will discover how to;

• Explore the functions of food, specifying the different classes of nutrients and their main functions.
• Examine the energy values of the different food types and the factors that affect the energy requirement of an individual.
• Examine basal metabolic rate (BMR) and reference nutrient intake (RNI) and the factors that can alter BMR.
• Explore the functions of the digestive organs and the process of digestion and absorption of nutrients in the human body.
• Examine the role of each type of fat (monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, and saturated) and fatty acids in relation to health and the effects of the deficiency and excess intake of fat.
• Investigate the main sources of fat, carbohydrates, and protein in the Irish diet.
• Examine the functions, sources, deficiency symptoms and the effects of excessive intake of the fat-soluble vitamins and water-soluble vitamins.
• Distinguish between digestible and poorly digestible (non-starch polysaccharide NSP) carbohydrates.
• Examine the functions, sources, and deficiency symptoms of minerals, to include, Fe, Ca, I, P, Na, Zn.
• Explore the importance of fibre in the diet and the sources of soluble and insoluble fibre and the potential health functions of each.
• Examine the effects of a low and a high carbohydrate diet.
• Distinguish between essential and non-essential amino acids.
• Compare the protein content of foods derived from plants and animals.
• Examine the role of vitamins and minerals in maintaining good health, the reference nutrient intake (RNI) for vitamins and minerals and the factors which affect absorption.
• Investigate why certain groups of people are at high risk of suffering vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
• Explore how the vitamin and mineral content of food can be preserved and the effects of preparation and cooking.
• Explore the specific nutritional needs and the factors that influence the eating habits of infants, children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly.
• Explore how glycogen loading is achieved.
• Examine the possible causes and effects of dehydration and the importance of maintaining fluid intake.
• Specify the labelling of food products in accordance with EU regulations.
• Examine the main categories of food additives, including E numbers, distinguishing between artificial and natural food additives, and the impact of additives on health. Identify the trace elements that are required in the diet.
• Test foods for the presence of fat, carbohydrates, and proteins.
• Examine the causes, symptoms and effects of anorexia, nervosa, bulimia, and obesity.
• Examine the role and impact of diet in a range of diseases and illnesses to include coronary heart disease and hypertension, links between diet and types of cancer, osteoporosis, diabetes, and dental health.
• Explore the role of diet in the treatment of a range of illnesses to include diabetes mellitus, coeliac disease, cystic fibrosis, and lactose intolerance.
• Examine the different techniques for measuring the nutritional status of an individual.
• Devise a suitable menu for infants, school-going children, adolescents, the elderly, pregnant women, vegetarians, vegans, and athletes. Interpret the nutrition labels on a variety of food products.
• Evaluate the current dietary recommendations of the Department of Health.

Assessment

The course 5N2006 Nutrition is assessed in the following ways, with the following weighting;

• Assignment 60%
• Examination - Theory 40%

Assignment

An assignment is an exercise carried out in response to a brief with specific guidelines as to what should be included. An assignment is usually of short duration and may be carried out over a specified period of time.

Examination - Theory

An examination provides a means of assessing a learner's ability to recall and apply knowledge, skills and understanding within a set period of time and under clearly specified conditions. A theory-based examination assesses the ability to recall, apply and understand specific theory and knowledge.

Grading

Pass 50% - 64%

Merit 65% - 70%

Distinction 80% - 100%

Tutor Support

At Forus Training, we have many different supports available for your learning.

Learner Pack

• When you enrol on a course, you will receive a printed learner pack from your trainer on the first session of the event.
• This learner pack contains clear assessment instructions and comprehensive material to support you as you complete the course.
• The pack will also include induction information as well as forms that you will complete during and at the end of your course.

Trainer Support

• The trainer provides support to learners, including issuing feedback on draft work you will submit. Expect to wait up to 72 hours for a response by email from your trainer. Many of our trainers have full time jobs as well as training with us this means they will have up-to-date sector specific information, but also means that you need to allow a little time for them to get back to you. Our trainers are current with practice in the sector in which they work.
• Trainers can, by appointment, make time available to you before or after class to answer your queries that cannot be covered in the session. They can also make an appointment with you to discuss your work on a telephone call.

Assessment Upload Facility

• We have a user-friendly assessment upload facility available to you..

Support with Preparing for Assessment

If it has been a while since you’ve studied, we have free, short presentations on Study Skills, Academic Writing and Harvard Referencing to assist you in your work.

Technical Support

• Every Saturday, our Digital Ambassador Team holds a Zoom meeting – to assist learners with their technology related challenges - no question too small! The staff in this “Digital Ambassador“ role are experienced in accessing all of our systems, including the LMS and myforustraining.ie. They are positioned to assist with all the usual technology queries learners might have: Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel etc), email, file saving and organisation etc.
• Technical support is available by phone to 044 9349400 or by email: hello@forustraining.ie or through the contact form on our website.

Compassionate Consideration

• Where a Learner, pursuing an award, through no fault of his/her own, is unable to complete their assessment, the exit pathway below is in place to facilitate this Learner with an alternative course. The Learner is given the opportunity to obtain the Award by completing the course at an alternative date/location should they have relocated to an area where we provide the same award.
• The following are examples of circumstances where a Learner is unable to complete their project/their course:
  • Bereavement,
  • Illness,
  • Pregnancy,
  • Relocation,
  • Extenuating circumstances.

• Please see P9 S7 C6 Compassionate Consideration Policy.

Learner Welfare

• P9 S6 C6 Learner Welfare Policy and practices are fully integrated throughout teaching and learning experiences by both Trainers and staff to effectively meet the health and wellbeing needs of all Learners. The Forus Training welfare policy is focused on the welfare of all Learners and addresses any particular challenges individual Learners may be experiencing during their learning experience. The learning environment includes welfare support provided by staff for Learners which is fully integrated throughout the teaching and learning and organisation of teaching and learning to effectively meet the personal, social (wellbeing) and academic needs of Learners and staff. Please see the policy here P9 S6 C6 Learner Welfare Policy.

Supports for Learners with Disabilities and Specific Learning Difficulties

• Forus Training is fully committed to complying with relevant policies and legislation with respect to equality and disability. Registered and potential Learners with verified disabilities or specific learning difficulties may be given compassionate consideration and reasonable accommodation to enable them to successfully complete their programme. This is arranged by the Course Coordinator.
• A reasonable accommodation is any action that helps to alleviate a substantial disadvantage due to an impairment or medical condition. Such accommodations are put in place to help reduce these barriers in order to provide equality of access and opportunity for all. Reasonable accommodations are made for Learners on a case by case basis and must be supported with medical documentation. Both P9 S2 C6 Evidence of Disability Form and P9 S2 C6A Application Form for Reasonable Accommodation can be found at the following link:
• https://forustraining.ie/knowledge-base/how-do-i-access-reasonable-accomodations/

This course leads to a level 5 award on the National Framework of Qualifications. Students who successfully complete this programme may use their credits towards completing a higher level of study in the area of Health and Social Care.

Students who successfully complete this Major Award can also use the Certificate as the basis for entry into selected courses in Third Level Colleges and Universities.

Click here to download a pdf version of – Progression from QQI Level 5 Certificates and Level 6 Advanced Certificates to Higher Education Courses 2017.