CONFIRMED

Validation of BSc (Hons) Dietetics

Event held on 17 June 2011 at AKMI Metropolitan College, Maroussi, Athens

1.1 Outcome

The Programme was validated for a period of five years commencing in October 2011, subject to satisfactory completion of the conditions below.

1.2 Conditions

1.2.1 That the Team provides a statement on how they will facilitate graduates to developthe full range of dietetics skills with particular reference to:

• ensuring that the team delivering the Programme reflects the necessary breadth

of clinical dietetic expertise;

Response: Part time/visiting lecturers, who have the appropriate experience willcontribute to the delivery of the modules (e.g. for the Practical placements, ClinicalSciences 1 & 2 and for Therapeutic Dietetics), and will be appointed at the relevantstages of the programme eg in time for level 3. As a result, the core teaching teamdelivering the programme, along with visiting practitioners and the external clinicalsupervisors/coordinators will reflect the necessary breadth of clinical dieteticexpertise.

• coordinating and managing inputs from a diverse range of lecturers and clinical

experts;

Response: The Programme Leader in liaison with the individual who co-ordinatesthe module will manage the proposed allocations of the part time/visiting lectures,ensuring that the latter, are contributing correctly to the content and delivery of themodule, with regards the learning outcomes.

• enabling students to develop a distinct professional identity in the early stages of 

the Programme.

 

Response: As part of the initial induction to the programme students will receive asession from the Programme Leader on the distinct professional identity of theDietitian and how this will be developed through the programme.

The programme team also recognises the need to teach and apply the earlier subjects within the context of the professional role of the Dietitian in Greece and theEU.

In addition there are also several formal opportunities at an early stage for studentsto develop both their personal and professional identities eg through the KeyInvestigative Skills module I, Introduction to Food and Nutrition (at level 1) and theProfessional Studies 1 module, Public Health Practice and Placement A modules (atlevel 2).

1.2.2 That the Team amend the programme document to address the following points:

• To clarify the regulations regarding examinations and students whose first

language is not English or Greek;

Response: The following programme specific regulations have been added tothe validation document (page 22) and the course/student handbook (page 40)

8.1.6 Students who are registered for the BSc(Hons) in Dietetics and whose firstlanguage is not English and/or Greek, are not permitted the allocation of extra timein examinations.

8.1.7 All students whose first language is not English and/or Greek will normally bepermitted to use language-only dictionaries in examinations. Electronic dictionariesare not permitted (please refer to Exam Regulations section).

• To remove references to a 35% minimum compensation mark;

Response: This has been removed from the Systems Biology and Clinical Sciences2 module descriptors

• To include the updated module descriptor for  Health and Welfare. –

Response: This is attached and the learning outcomes have been revised to bring itin line with SCQF level 7.

The above conditions are to be met by 31 July 2011.

1.3 Recommendations

1.3.1 That the Team review the balance of assessments across the Programme, withparticular reference to the proportion of examinations.  

Response:

 

The proposed Athens programme closely mirrors the balance of assessments within the existing QMU programme. It is the experience of the QMUprogramme team that the balance of assessment is appropriate and is successful in

 

achieving the desired level of knowledge, level/programme aims and a graduate fitfor purpose. The Athens team will therefore for the present time continue to mirror this, but will take the opportunity as the programme progresses to review this.

1.3.2 That the Team review the wording of module learning outcomes as identified by thePanel to ensure closer alignment with the Scottish Credit and QualificationsFramework.

Response: The Team has reviewed the learning outcomes for the Level 1 Healthand Welfare module as highlighted by the panel and the amended moduledescriptor is attached. For the other modules highlighted by the panel, it is theintention of the Team to undertake a full consultation with the QMU Programmeteam, but is not possible by the 31 st of July. Therefore changes will be made tomodule descriptors where via the agreed QMU processes prior to thecommencement of these modules.

 

1.3.3 That the Team consider inclusion of an over-arching programme aim which relatesmore explicitly to the preparation of professional dietitians.

Response: The team has considered this and have included an additional over-arching programme aim as follows has been included within the validationdocument (page 6) and course student handbook (page 21) as follows:‘ 

 

To develop a student who has the ability to work as, and be recognised, as a

 

competent clinical dietitian ’ 

 

.

1.3.4 That the Team clarify within the programme document the admissions process for IVT graduates and non-standard applicants, setting out the procedure for assessingRecognition of Prior Learning.  

Response: We explicitly state that other qualifications and including the IVT diplomaqualification will be mapped against the SCQF framework and curriculum content of the Dietetics programme and as such will be dealt with on a case by case basis withcredit being given if relevant.

1.3.5 That the Team consider inclusion of additional texts in module descriptors asfollows:

• naming specific Greek texts where relevant

Response: Greeks texts, where available, and relevant are detailed within themodule descriptors. It is also anticipated that as the programme develops availabletext books will be reviewed and included where relevant.

• identifying key texts relating to research methods and process in the Level 4

research modules 

Response: these will be done in due course and will be additions made whereappropriate. The relevant Athens module co-ordinator will in liaison with the relevant

 

QMU module co-ordinator identify and include relevant available texts/onlineresources ready for the delivery of this module in 4 years time.

1.4 Commendations

The Panel commended the Team on the following matters:

1.4.1 The evidence of effective working between the Athens team and QMU in order toprepare for the validation.

1.4.2 The excellent food preparation facilities available at Patision Street which affordopportunities to enhance the student experience beyond the core curriculum set outin the programme document.