MSc (Food and Nutrition Security)
Food and Nutrition Security studies are complex and multidisciplinary by nature, with human livelihoods at the core. The Master of Science in Food and Nutrition Security programme is therefore jointly offered by the Faculties of Health and Medicine and AgriScience.
Taking a broader, more comprehensive approach, the programme trains specialists capable of functioning in a multidisciplinary team. They will be skilled at outlining, implementing and evaluating integrated food and nutrition security policies, adjusted to the specific needs and possibilities of Southern Africa and further afield.
The overall programme objective is to develop the capacity of students to think, analyse and act in an evidence based way; their ability to deal with complex problems; ability to reflect on their own thinking and work, and ability to translate that reflection into the development of more suitable solutions; capacity to communicate research challenges as well as opportunities and solutions to colleagues and non-specialists; to assist in project/programme management and implementation; and to gain the capacity to form a judgement in an uncertain context.
Contact information
Programme overview
More information
When applying
Please note that selection for postgraduate programmes is highly competitive. Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the programme.
Minimum admission requirements
A professional bachelor’s or honours degree in an applicable Agricultural Science, Health Science or Natural Science field that is on NQF level 8.
You must achieve a minimum average mark of 60% over the four years of study.
Programme structure
This structured programme is presented mainly by means of technology-mediated teaching and learning, in
combination with courses presented on campus. This programme comprises twelve theoretical modules and
a research assignment (33% of the total credits). If the academic year extends over 45 weeks, it is expected
of the student to utilise 20 notional hours per week, over a two-year period, to complete the programme.
First Year
Compulsory Modules
13255: Conceptualising food systems
811(10): Conceptualising food systems
13256: Food safety, hazards & risks
812(10): Food safety, hazards & risks
13257: Human economic development
813(10): Human economic development
13258: Agriculture-nutrition linkages
814(10): Agriculture-nutrition linkages
13259: Food processing & preservation
815(10): Food processing & preservation
13261: Introduction to epidemiology
841(10): Introduction to epidemiology
13262: Macro- & micronutrients & health
842(10): Macro- & micronutrients & health
13263: Functional Foods & Alternative Proteins
843(10): Functional Foods & Alternative Proteins
13264: Food chains and consumers
844(10): Food chains and consumers
Second Year
Compulsory Modules
13265: Assessing food security
821(10): Assessing food security
13266: Food security project analysis
822(10): Food security project analysis
13267: Food & nutrition policies
823(10): Food & nutrition policies
13533: Research assignment (Human Nutrition)
841(60): Research assignment (Human Nutrition)
OR
13534: Research assignment (Agricultural Economics)
842(60): Research assignment (Agricultural Economics)
OR
13535: Research assignment (Food Science)
843(60): Research assignment (Food Science)
Assessment and Examination
• The final mark for each theoretical module will consist of a class mark which is compiled through flexible assessment (i.e. various assessments, which could include: STEMLearn/FHMSLearn discussions, assignments, tasks, quizzes, oral presentations. Specific assessment criteria will be detailed in each module’s module framework).
• You will only be permitted two attempts at completing the theoretical modules. If you fail to pass a module after these two attempts, you will not be readmitted to the programme.
• You must obtain a minimum of 50% to pass all individual modules.
• The final mark for the research assignment will be calculated as follows:
o 20% for the protocol
o 80% for the research assignment; and
• The final mark for the degree programme will be calculated as follows:
o Course work 67%
o Research assignment 33%
• You will be allowed to register for the research assignment for a maximum of three years. If you fail to complete the research assignment within this time, your performance will be officially reviewed by the programme committee, and you may be denied the right to reregister for the programme.