Module Specification
An online version of this specification is available to prospective students at
http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/study/currentstudents/studentinformation/msc_module_handbook/section3_moduledescript/in
dex.html
GENERAL INFORMATION
Module name
Nutrition in Emergencies (NiE)
Module code
2451
Module Organiser
Dr Marko Kerac
Contact email
marko.kerac@lshtm.ac.uk
Home Faculty
Faculty of Epidemiology & Population Health
Level
This module is at Level 7 (postgraduate Masters ‘M’ level) of the QAA
Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Wales & Northern
Ireland (FHEQ)
Credit
LSHTM award 15 credits on successful completion of this module
Accreditation
Not currently accredited by any other body
Keywords
Disasters; Nutrition Disorders; Child Nutrition Disorders; Infant Nutrition
Disorders; Micronutrient deficiencies; Vulnerable Populations; Child Health;
Infant Health; Health Status; Public Health; Epidemiologic Measurements;
Human Rights; Food Assistance; Nutrition Policy; Nutrition Therapy
AIMS, OBJECTIVES AND AUDIENCE
Overall aim
To provide students with the core knowledge and understanding needed to
address nutritional problems among emergency-affected populations
Intended learning
outcomes
By the end of this module, students should:
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Target audience
Understand the contexts in which different emergencies arise;
Be familiar with the humanitarian landscape (key actors and their roles);
Know which nutritional problems commonly arise in emergencies and
understand why they matter;
Know how to assess the nutritional status of populations and individuals;
Be familiar with common nutrition-related interventions and understand
how, when and in which situations/contexts to apply them;
Appreciate the importance (and challenges) of using research and evidence
to improve future policy and practice in emergency nutrition;
Be aware of key resources, info. sources and software packages / IT tools
Appreciate how learning from NiE can be applied to other sectors
Those wishing to learn about or work in/with the emergency relief
(humanitarian) sector on nutrition-related issues
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CONTENT
Session content
The module includes sessions addressing the following topics (please note that
details of these may be subject to change):
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Key definitions, classifications and conceptual frameworks (types of
malnutrition; types of emergencies; overlaps with nutritional problems in
low resource developmental settings).
Why nutrition in emergencies matters;
Evidence and research in emergency nutrition: GRADE, CHNRI and other
frameworks/ways forward to improve future policy and practice in NiE;
The humanitarian landscape: key actors and their different roles and
responsibilities; factors determining response capacity;
Emergency preparedness and nutrition causal analysis
Emergency needs assessment and nutritional surveillance/survey methods
Nutrition-specific interventions: e.g. Community Management of Acute
Malnutrition; Infant & Young Child Feeding; micronutrients
Nutrition-sensitive interventions: e.g. Cash transfers
Community engagement and coverage survey methods
Policy issues in emergencies
Current challenges and controversies in nutrition in emergencies.
TEACHING, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT
Study resources
provided or required
A reader containing key literature and links to key resources is provided at the
module start. Lecture handouts are posted online as the module progresses.
Teaching and learning
methods
Teaching will be a combination of lectures and active student participation in
discussions, debates, role plays and case presentations.
Assessment details
Students will be assessed by a multiple choice/short-answer test which
contributes to 100% of marks.
For students who are required to re-sit, or granted a deferral or new attempt,
the task will be an essay-style assignment on a NIE-relevant topic.
Assessment dates
The assessment will take place on a date notified by the Module Organiser,
usually in the final week of the module.
For students who are required to re-sit, or who are granted a deferral or new
attempt, the next assessment date will be the standard School-recommended
date in mid/late September 2016.
Language of study and
assessment
English (please see ‘English language requirements’ below regarding the
standard required for entry).
TIMING AND MODE OF STUDY
Duration
The module runs for 5 weeks at 2.5 days per week; this module runs between
Monday morning and Wednesday lunchtime.
Dates
For 2015-16, the module will start on Monday 22 February 2016 and finish on
Wednesday 23 March 2016.
Timetable slot
The module runs in LSHTM timetable slot D1
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Mode of Study
The module is taught face-to-face in London. Both full-time and part-time
students follow the same schedule. For full-time students, other LSHTM
modules are available in the other half of the week for the C and D slots.
Learning time
The notional learning time for the module totals 150 hours, consisting of:
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Contact time ≈ 60 hours
Directed self-study ≈ 15 hours
Self-directed learning ≈ 30 hours
Assessment, review and revision ≈ 45 hours
APPLICATION, ADMISSION AND FEES
Pre-requisites
Although no previous experience of NiE is necessary, a basic understanding of
nutrition and health is important. Students with limited or no prior knowledge
of these areas should discuss with the module organizer before applying.
English language
requirements
A strong command of English is needed for this module. These whose first
language is not English or whose prior university studies have not been wholly
in English must fulfil LSHTM’s English language requirements: an acceptable
score in an approved test taken in the two years prior to entry. Applicants may
be asked to take a test even if the standard conditions have been met.
Student numbers
Typically 20-30 students per year; numbers may be capped due to facility or
staffing limitations.
Student selection
Preference will be given to LSHTM MSc and LSHTM research degree students.
Others meeting the entry criteria will usually be offered a place in the order
applications are received, until any cap on numbers is reached. Applicants may
be placed on a waiting list and given priority the next time the module is run.
Full Registration (full participation) by LSHTM research degree students is
required for this module, but the assessment for these students is optional.
Fees
For LSHTM MSc students, module fees are included within MSc fees (given on
individual course prospectus pages).
If registering as a stand-alone short course, individual module fees apply.
Tuition fees must be paid in full before commencing the module, or by any fee
deadline set by the Registry.
Scholarships
Scholarships are not available for individual modules. Some potential sources
of funding are detailed on the LSHTM website.
Admission deadlines
For 2015-16:
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For registered LSHTM MSc students, the module choice deadline (for Term
2 and 3 modules) is Friday 20 November 2015.
If registering just for this module, applications may be made at any time
and at the latest 8 weeks prior to start date. Early applications are however
strongly advised. Formal registration takes place on day one of the module.
ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT
This module specification applies for the academic year 2015-16
Last revised 29 May 2015 by Marko Kerac; 20 August 2015 minor updates by Sarah Bathie
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel St., London WC1E 7HT.
www.lshtm.ac.uk
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