In Malaysia, the number of non-communicable diseases related to nutrition, namely obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and cancer is increasing. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the country to produce more professionals in the areas of nutrition and dietetics. Nutrition and Dietetics professionals are persons with qualifications in nutrition and dietetics recognised by the national authorities. For the first time in Malaysia, IMU is offering a combined degree programme leading to a Bachelor of Science (Hons) Nutrition and Dietetics. The programme has a unique curriculum developed by pioneers in Nutrition and Dietetics in the country, which emphasises new and market-driven courses such as medical nutrition therapy and sports nutrition.

The final year has an exciting hands-on professional training by rotation in the areas of dietetics, community nutrition and food catering. The graduates of this combined programme will be able to work as competent and caring nutrition and dietetic professionals. This undergraduate degree in nutrition and dietetics will provide a sound basis for professional graduate training in MSc and PhD level in nutrition and dietetics.

Why choose this particular programme?
Nutritionists and Dietitians work in a wide variety of settings and some work in highly specialized areas. Current job trends in the fields of nutrition and dietetics include:

What is the structure of the programme?
The programme is designed to provide an integrated training in the science of nutrition and dietetics and its application to human health and well-being.
The nutrition and dietetics programme is a four year programme conducted entirely in Malaysia.

The first three years will be based in Bukit Jalil. The final year will require students to do professional training outside the IMU campus.

What are key features of the programme?

What are the teaching-learning approaches used?
The Nutrition & Dietetics programme utilises a combination of teaching and learning approaches which include lectures, tutorials, practical classes, seminars, problem-based learning, field visits, group/individual assignments, and development of communication skills.

Students are required to conduct a research project in the 3rd year. Topics in nutrition and health related fields will be chosen. Students will be required to prepare a research proposal, to collect and analyse data, and to write a thesis at the end of the exercise.

With this knowledge and skills, the students are able to work in their future work environment as a competent and effective researcher as well as community nutritionists dietetic professionals working in the community and food service management.

What are the teaching staff? The University has well-qualified, experienced teaching staff for the Nutrition and Dietetics programme. Over half have recent practising experience and are quallified dietitians. The lecturers have postgraduate degrees in the areas of nutrition and dietetics. The teaching staff are pioneers in this area of study and have supervised undergraduate and postgraduate student projects and dissertations as well as conducted workshops. They are also actively involved in research and have published extensively in the areas of nutrition and dietetics.

Bachelor of Science (Hons) Nutrition and Dietetics (IMU)
Semester 1 General Chemistry Human Physiology Organic Chemistry Professionalism in Nutrition & Dietetics Principles of Human Nutrition Statistics for Health Professionals Islamic Studies/Moral Education English	Semester 2 Lifespan Nutrition Basic Communication Principles of Financial Accounting Basic Biochemistry Food, Culture & Nutrition IT for Healthcare Services Pengajian Malaysia Bahasa Kebangsaan A/B
Semester 3 Introduction to Psychology Principles of Food Preparation Nutritional Assessment Methods Nutrients & Metabolism Pathophysiology and Clinical Management of Diseases Microbiology	Semester 4 Basic Epidemiology Clinical Biochemistry Community Nutrition Food Service Management I Basic Pharmacology Sports & Exercise Science Nutritional Immunology Analysis of Nutriens in Foods Understanding the Patient/ Novelty Nutrition
Semester 5 Food Service Management II Nutrition Counselling and Education Medical Nutrition Therapy Environmental Issues & Nutrition Research Project in Nutrition & Dietetics 1 Enterprise Management	Semester 6 Food Safety and Regulations Nutrition in Health Promotion Medical Nutrition Therapy Laboratory Research Project in Nutrition and Dietetics II Nutrition in Excercise in Sports Seminar: Current Issues in Nutrition and Dietetics Complementary Medicine/ Controversy Nutrition
Semester 7 & 8 Clinical Dietetics Practicum Community Nutrition Practicum Food Service Practicum

Other qualified senior professional staff of IMU will also provide lectures in the non Nutrition and Dietetics modules in Year 1 of the programme. Dietetians from various government and specialists hospitals will also be invited to teach in this programme.

How will I be assessed?
Students will be assessed through their class tests, practicals, reports, workshops, essays, portfolio, projects, presentation, dissertation and written examination.

Are there any industrial placements?
Industrial placements are professional posting scheduled for the entire 4th year and form the practicum part of the programme. Students shall be rotated through 20 weeks of clinical dietetics practicum in a hospital setting, 10 weeks of community nutrition practicum in a government and private facility/institution, and 10 weeks of food service management practicum in a food service industry.

What is the medium of instruction?
The medium of instruction is English. Students who come from a system of education in which the medium of instruction is not English are strongly recommended to improve their proficiency in English by making their own arrangements to attend additional English Language classes before entering the IMU.