University of Aberdeen Courses

Nutrition Science: Food Choice and Behaviour

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Delve into the impacts of food choiceThe food choices we make with every meal goes far beyond our own survival and comfort. Understanding the widespread impacts of our food choices is one of the first steps in addressing social and environmental issues.On this four-week course, you’ll use evidence-based information to assess the impact of food choices on health, the environment, and the economy, and what we can do to mitigate these impacts.With this knowledge, you’ll be able to unpack the psychology of food choice to gain a deeper understanding of eating behaviour and how to unlock behaviour change for healthier habits.Explore how eating behaviour and consumer behaviour interlinkYou’ll examine the important relationship between diet and health, and gain a theoretical and applied insight into factors that influence eating behaviour.To deepen your understanding, you’ll also explore how the psychology of food choice applies to consumer behaviour. This will help you reflect on the role of the food and beverage sector on health, as well as environmental and economical issues.Learn from the experts at Rowett Institute and the University of AberdeenBy the end of this course from the University of Aberdeen, you’ll be able to describe key factors that influence food choice and eating behaviour.Learning from the experts at the Rowett Institute, a market leader in online education in nutrition and health, you’ll finish the course with an in-depth understanding of the far-reaching impacts of food choice.This course is designed for anyone interested in food and eating as a form of behaviour.It will provide an opportunity for professional development within the food sector and to get up to speed with the latest industry knowledge.

Understanding the Body

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The Understanding the Body program consists of three short online courses that look at the workings of the human body. The program focuses on the different structures, components and systems that work together to keep us alive and healthy.Accessible for free on desktop, tablet or mobile, the three courses can be taken in any order, although it’s recommended that you start with the What is the Body? course.

Nutrition and Wellbeing

3.5

Develop the skills to evaluate nutrition informationEating habits have drastically changed from the era of prehistoric man to modern times, as has our understanding of nutrition, diet, and disease.On this four-week course, you’ll explore the scientific basis of human nutrition, current nutrition concepts, and controversies around nutrition.By the end of this course, you’ll better understand your own eating habits and be able to apply your new knowledge to your own diet.Discover what makes up a healthy and sustainable dietThis course will guide you through the different components of food and the nutrients found within. You’ll delve into energy, macronutrients, and micronutrients, all to give you a wider picture of nutrition and wellbeing.You’ll also look at the drivers that influence our food choices, including sugar and addiction, as well as what sustainability really means and how to create a healthy, sustainable diet.Examine the links between food and diseaseIt’s long been known that food choices can both increase the risk of disease as well as help to prevent it.You’ll investigate the impact that diet can have on decreasing the risk of both cardiovascular disease and cancer. Looking at studies into different types of nutrients and disease, you’ll focus on the effects of fish oils, fibre rich foods such as fruit and vegetables, and vegetarian diets.Explore nutrition fads and the truth about food fortificationThis course will look at the truth behind the most common nutrition misconceptions, from whether genes are to blame for the rise in obesity to whether we should all be taking vitamin D supplements.You’ll finish this course by exploring the importance of food fortification, especially in combating dietary deficiencies, and the need to balance nutrition with physical activity.This course is designed for anyone interested in better understanding nutrition and how to make effective changes to their own diet.

Nutrition Science: Lifestyle Medicine

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Unpack the factors that promote health and wellbeing in adultsPoor diet and lifestyle choices can lead to an increased risk of some diseases, affecting our lifelong health.On this four-week course, you’ll explore the many factors at play that can help promote health and wellbeing in adults.Delving into the role of diet, physical activity, stress, and environment on preventative medication, you’ll understand how nutrition and movement can positively or negatively influence health.Explore the relationship between diet and non-communicable diseasesYou’ll unpack the critical relationship between diet and non-communicable (chronic) diseases.This exploration of evidence-based learning will help you understand exactly how nutrition can lead to an increased risk of some diseases.It will also give you the opportunity to learn how to evaluate a range of information including system reviews and observation studies in the research environment.Understand the role of social and environmental factors in influencing lifestyleAs you delve further into the relationship between food and health, you’ll explore the role of social and environmental factors in influencing lifestyles, such as shift work, intermittent fasting, and sleep.With this knowledge, you’ll understand the many contributors to health and wellbeing.Learning from the experts and research academics at the world-leading Rowett Institute, you’ll finish the course with a deep understanding of the relationships between diet, movement, and lifelong health.This course is designed for anyone interested in health, including allied health professionals and those working in health care or the food system.It will also be of interest to those looking to enhance their CPD.

Nutrition Science: Diet and Lifestyle for Health

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Discover how the relationship between diet and health affects wellbeingGain an introduction to nutrition science as you explore the link between diet and health and reflect on your own behaviours.

How Does the Body Use DNA as a Blueprint?

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Examine DNA code and how it helps our bodies to repair and regulate themselvesEvery part of the body is made according to a code that is carried in the body’s cells. This code is called DNA, and knowing how it works is fundamental to understanding the human body.On this course, you’ll get an introduction to the basics of molecular biology, answer the question ‘what is DNA?’ and learn how DNA structure works inside the human body.You’ll find out what DNA code represents, how it creates proteins inside the body, and what key molecules are involved. You’ll also learn how these molecules communicate and interact with each other inside the body.This course is aimed at anyone interested in molecular biology and how DNA code works.Existing knowledge of components of the body is not essential but you may find it useful to complete What is the Body? if you are completely new to biology.

Africa: Sustainable Development for All?

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Africa as a continent is rich in natural resources and minerals and has increasing rates of wealth in some countries. The course will explore why there continues to be many sub-Saharan African countries which perform poorly on development indicators for reducing poverty, hunger and unemployment and improving maternal health and access to quality reproductive health services.Explore sustainable development and the post-2015 agendaThis free online course will assess progress made to date in the achievement of the UN Millennium Development Goals and will provide information from key people in international development to discuss whether the proposed UN post-2015 sustainable development agenda can be achieved in sub-Saharan Africa.The course is designed for anyone with a passion for humanity, human rights and sustainable development. You will learn to think critically and communicate effectively about development stories, past, present and future.We will introduce the key concepts in sustainable development, the historical background and current context. You will look at the organisations involved in development and how they have changed over time.We will also explain how development data are constructed, and the strengths and limitations of different types of evidence. We will highlight who has been counted in development data, how robust the data are and who is missing from data sets.Learn with experts in sub-­Saharan AfricaYou will learn with experts from the University of Aberdeen Centre for Sustainable International Development (CSID), who have extensive experience of living and working in sub­-Saharan Africa.They will bring a multi-sectoral and interdisciplinary perspective to the course, recognising that a range of approaches is required, to tease out the complexity of sustainable development and help us understand why inclusive development has not yet been realised.The course will use academic texts alongside films, music and novels, enabling you to analyse different ways of seeing, listening and experiencing received wisdoms about development. You will also get the opportunity to discuss your own experiences with other learners worldwide and to learn from experts from the UN, national governments and development partners from sub-Saharan Africa.These experts include: Madame Zainab Hawa Bangura (UN Secretary-General Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict); Dr Agnes Binagwaho (Minister of Health, Rwanda); Sir Malcolm Bruce (Chair of the UK Parliamentary Select Committee on International Development); and an ex-President of Nigeria, Olesegun Obasanjo.The course is designed for anyone with a passion for humanity and sustainable development. You could be a current undergraduate; a gap year student interested in volunteering or interning in international development; or someone working in development (or interested in doing so) in the public, private or third sectors.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM): Health, Law, and Socio-Cultural Sensitivity

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Help bridge the gap between FGM and medical educationFGM causes devastating mental and physical health impacts. Yet a gap in education on FGM has led to a lack of confidence among health care professionals to deal with this harmful practice.On this four-week course, you’ll build your understanding of Female Genital Mutilation to help you recognise and report indicators of FGM or plans to inflict it.This knowledge will increase your confidence and help you play a role in ending FGM.Discover the impacts of FGM on women and girl’s healthYou’ll learn the definition and the four types of Female Genital Mutilation before exploring the physiological and psychological aspects of FGM on women and girl’s health.This understanding will help you identify the clinical diagnosis and the treatment for both the physical and mental health of victims of FGM.Explore the legal duty of health and social care workers in reporting FGMThere is a legal duty for health and social care professionals, educators, and police personnel to recognise and report physical or other indicators of FGM practices.You’ll evaluate when and how it is appropriate to act in relation to your legal responsibilities and learn to apply your knowledge to recognise and report FGM.Explore different perspectives alongside the experts at the University of AberdeenYou’ll explore socio-cultural perspectives of FGM and how to manage difficult conversations.This critical approach will help you analyse case studies of FGM practices from a range of perspectives.You’ll learn from the experts at the University of Aberdeen who have created the course alongside a team of academics and medics who have been working on FGM projects for a number of years.This course is designed for health and social care professionals, educators, police, and anyone with an interest in women and girl’s health and ending Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

Nutrition Science: Obesity and Healthy Weight Loss

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Learn theories in human nutrition and weight managementAccording to NHS Digital, in the year 2019/2020, over 1 million hospital admissions were linked to obesity.On this four-week course, you’ll reflect on the role of nutrition in influencing weight gain as well as the lived experience of obesity to truly understand the different contributing factors.You’ll also have the opportunity to enhance your ability to analyse current and developing theories in human nutrition and weight management.Explore global obesity trendsYou’ll discover the epidemiology trends in obesity and also understand the major lifestyle contributors to obesity and weight gain in society.You’ll examine the principles of nutrition and critically evaluate the evidence base for nutrition guidelines.Unpack the challenges of obesity treatment and preventionAs you explore the contributors to weight gain, you’ll also discover the many challenges for the prevention and treatment of obesity and how these can be overcome.You’ll examine the dietary strategies on body weight management and the physiological and psychological bases of weight gain. With this knowledge, you’ll have the ability to evaluate what affects weight wellness.Understand the barriers and enablers of weight loss managementTo understand the impact on longer-term weight management, you’ll explore the barriers and enablers to post-weight loss management.This will help you describe both the strengths and limitations of weight loss methods as you evaluate these with supporting evidence.You’ll hear from health care professionals, clinicians, and people living with obesity to ensure you finish the course with greater knowledge and empathy of the causes of weight gain.This course is designed for anyone interested in health, in relation to obesity and weight gain.You may be a health professional, working in health care or the food system, or you could simply be looking to enhance your CPD.

What Is the Body?

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Explore how your body works through the study of body anatomyHow does the body work? What is it made of? What are the different parts of the human body and what are their functions?From cells to organ systems, this course will introduce you to the basic components that make up the human body.You’ll discover what molecular structures are, and classify different types within the body.As you learn more about cell structure, you’ll find out about human tissue and its function, and explore the different organs systems within the body and what they do.You’ll also gain basic physiological knowledge and learn how your body works, and how to influence it.This course is aimed at anyone interested in what the body is made up of. No existing knowledge of biology or chemistry is required.

Walter Scott: The Man Behind the Monument

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Explore literature that shaped the heritage and national identity of the ScotsWalter Scott is one of Scotland’s most significant figures and is famous around the world.On this course, you’ll get to know the man behind the monuments and books. You’ll explore and discuss selections of Scott’s work, whilst reflecting upon his cultural impact and enduring literary legacy.You’ll understand Scott’s significance as a poet and novelist, and will be familiar with some of his best-loved work; such as Waverley and The Heart of Mid-Lothian. You’ll also gain an understanding of how and why he was inspired to write, and how literature can shape heritage and national identity.This course would suit those with an interest in Romantic and Scottish literature, or the history of the novel. It would also appeal to the Scottish diaspora, for both its literary content and focus on cultural heritage. It may also be of use to people interested in wider issues around literary heritage and tourism.

What Drives the Body?

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Explore how different parts of the body communicate with each otherThe way in which parts of the body communicate with each other is vital to keeping us healthy. But how does our internal communication work – and how do these individual components produce energy?On this course, from the University of Aberdeen, you’ll learn how the human body utilises energy pathways, and how different elements communicate effectively. You’ll find out about the biomolecules involved in communication, and the role of endocrinology and immunology.You’ll discover how the body works and regulates itself, and also improve your knowledge of disease development and prevention.This course is aimed at anyone who is interested in how the human body regulates and communicates with itself.Existing knowledge of components of the body is not essential but some prior knowledge of biology might be helpful.