Master in Clinical Nutrition University of Tartu

• The University of Tartu belongs to the top 1% of the world's universities.
• After completing the master's degree in Clinical Nutrition, you will become a specialist who can effectively combine clinical and basic scientific knowledge to create nutritional plans and optimise patient care.
• Anyone with a bachelor's degree or the equivalent in any health-related field and good English is eligible. Previous experience may be clinical, laboratory, public health or purely scientific.
• This programme is the only one of its kind in the European Union.

The master's programme in Clinical Nutrition is being held on-site in Tartu. The curriculum provides a broad knowledge of biochemistry, physiology, and metabolism, which underpins clinical provision. The study format includes lectures, seminars and practical work.

In the first year, you will get a good overview of almost all aspects of clinical nutrition, but the emphasis is on hospital practice with adult patients. We include the principles and methods of scientific research and discussion of medical ethics.

The main activity of the second year is a master's research project. This can be done in Tartu, in the student's hometown or in another academic centre. There is also an internship where the student works in a recognised nutrition centre to gain practical experience related to their career. This can also be done either in Estonia or abroad.

The founder and lead lecturer of the programme is Professor Alastair Forbes, who previously established a clinical nutrition course at UCL, London.

Modules

1. Introductory module

2. Introduction to clinical science

3. Clinical module 1

4. Clinical module 2

5. Clinical module 3

6. Elective module

7. Practice

8. Breaking News in clinical nutrition

9. Master's thesis

10. Optional subjects

After completing the programme, you:

• know the basics of nutrient biochemistry, physiology and metabolism;
• can assess the clinical nutritional needs of patients;
• know the principles of metabolic regulation of stress and insulin resistance.
• know the principles of surgical stress reduction and nutrition management in perioperative and critical care patients;
• understand the nutritional problems of patients with malignant tumours and the special nutritional problems of the diseased organism;
• understand abnormal fluid balances and know the effects of alcohol on nutrition and health in case of illness;
• understand the metabolic effects of head injuries and burns;
• understand the nutritional modifications of diseases affecting the liver, kidneys, brain and respiratory tract
• can devise a suitable diet and dietary recommendations for obesity, diabetes, anorexia nervosa and food allergies;
• are orientated in the peculiarities of artificial feeding at home;
• can use basic statistical and medical research tools to plan nutrition;
• master the methods of critical analysis and interpretation of literature and the skills of writing and presenting scientific papers.

Malnutrition and the increasing problems associated with obesity indicate a growing clinical need for relevantly educated professionals. Completing the master's degree will provide the necessary knowledge and skills to develop clinical nutrition in hospitals, family practices, nursing homes, sports medicine, public health, and the food industry. There is currently a great need for academically certified specialists in much of Europe. Fulfilling the Clinical Nutrition master's programme should be career-enhancing.