Universities and Online Degrees Guide

Stellenbosch University

Master of Public Health Nutrition

The Master of Public Health Nutrition in Health Professions is offered by Stellenbosch University.

Program Length: 2 YEARS.

Master of Public Health Nutrition offered by Stellenbosch University at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences

Programme description

You can follow one of two streams for the Master of Public Health Nutrition programme, namely:

• 1. Master of Public Health Nutrition (structured option); and
• 2. Master of Public Health Nutrition (thesis option).

The structured stream is presented by means of technology-mediated teaching and learning.The two streams are set out separately in more detail below.

1. Master of Public Health Nutrition (structured option)

Duration of programme
The programme extends over a minimum period of two years.

Programme description
This is a structured programme which comprises various theoretical modules and a research project (50% of the total credits). If the academic year extends over 40 weeks, the expectation is that you will use 22,5 hours per week to complete the programme.

Programme content
First year

Compulsory modules

Economic Evaluation in Health Care (12)
Introduction to Health Systems and Services Research (12)
Nutritional Epidemiology (30)*

* Nutritional Epidemiology is a prerequisite pass module for Research Thesis.

Elective modules

Choose any four of the following modules. A particular elective module is only presented if there are at least four students who would like to take that module.

Advanced Nutrition Analysis (9)     
Food Security (9)
Food, Nutrition and Livelihood in Humanitarian Emergencies (9)
Nutrition and Economic, Human and Social Development (9)
Nutrition in Health and Disease Prevention (9)
Nutrition, Health and the Environment (9)
Public Health Nutrition Policies and Programming (9)

Second year
Research Thesis (90)

Assessment and examination

• Final marks for the theoretical modules are calculated by adding the class mark for SUNLearn forum discussions and SUNLearn written assignments/tasks (35%) and the examination mark (65%).
• You will only be permitted two opportunities to complete and pass the theoretical modules. If you still fail a theoretical module after two attempts, you will not be allowed to register for the programme again.
• The final mark for the research project is calculated as follows:
  • class mark (protocol) – 15%;
  • project execution – 10%;
  • average of the internal and external examiners’ marks for the thesis – 65%; and
  • oral examination – 10%.
• The final degree mark is calculated by adding the average of the final marks for the theoretical modules (50%) and the final mark for the research project (50%).
• An oral examination by the examiners is compulsory.

2. Master of Public Health Nutrition (thesis option).

Programme description
The programme comprises a research project (100% of the total credits) with no theoretical modules. If the academic year extends over 40 weeks, as a full-time student you must use 45 hours per week to complete the programme. However, if you are a part-time student, you must use 22,5 hours per week to complete the programme.You must plan and implement a research project and submit a thesis or preferably two articles for publication in a peer-reviewed journal, in the format specified in the study guide.

Programme content

Research Thesis (180)

Assessment and examination

• The final degree mark is calculated as follows:
  • protocol – 15%;
  • project execution – 10%;
  • average of the internal and external examiners’ marks for the thesis – 65%; and
  • oral examination – 10%.
• An oral examination by the examiners is compulsory.