Doctoral program in human nutrition
Program objectives ـــــــ Acceptance ـــــــ General structure of the program ــــــ Study plan ــــــ Course Guide
Program objectives:
- Conducting purposeful scientific research capable of solving the problems of human nutrition science and finding scientific solutions to them.
- Building strong relationships with sectors concerned with human nutrition sciences, and contributing to developing their activities and productivity through doctoral dissertation research.
- Effective participation in achieving sustainable development and building a knowledge economy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
- Providing national cadres with knowledge and research and academic skills in the field of human nutrition sciences.
Providing educational opportunities for those wishing to complete the doctoral stage in the field of human nutrition sciences, given the lack of a similar doctoral program in Saudi universities.
Acceptance:
In addition to the admission conditions contained in the unified regulations for postgraduate studies in Saudi universities and the organizational and executive rules and procedures for postgraduate studies at King Saud University, the department requires the following:
- The applicant must have a master’s degree in food science or human nutrition, on a regular basis from King Saud University or any other university recommended by the Ministry of Education, with a grade of no less than very good (3.75 out of 5).
- Achieve a score of (5) in the IELTS test or its equivalent.
Achieving a score of (65) in the general aptitude test for university graduates or its equivalent.
General structure of the program:
Course path and thesis:
The number of required units is (32) study units in addition to (12) study units for the thesis, as follows:
Type of courses | Number of courses | Number of units required |
Compulsory courses | (14) | (30) academic units |
Preparing a research plan | (1) | 1 |
Comprehensive testing | (1) | 0 |
Thesis | (1) | (12) academic units |
Total | (17) academic courses | (31) study units + (12) study units for the thesis |
Program study plan: Program study plan
* First level
Course number and code | Course title | Number of study units | Prerequisite | |
1 | 530 kih | Laboratory methods in biochemistry | 3(3+0) | |
2 | 610 fed | Nutritional changes during processing | 2(2+0) | |
3 | 630 hin | Physiology of the digestive system | 3(2+1) | |
Total | (8) Study unit | |||
Level 2:
Course number and code | Course title | Number of study units | Prerequisite | |
1 | 545 keh | Genetic errors in metabolism | 3(3+0) | |
2 | 620 fed | Applied Nutrition - Advanced- | 2(2+0) | |
3 | 630 fed | Special nutritional aspects | 3(3+0) | |
Total | (8) Dasiya unit | |||
Level 3:
Course number and code | Course title | Number of study units | Prerequisite | |
| 1 | 534 hin | Physiology of hormones | 2(2+0) | |
| 2 | 631 fed | Nutritional aspects of energy balance | 2(2+0) | |
| 3 | 632 fed | Modern concepts in nutrition | 2(2+0) | |
| 4 | 698 fed | Discussions (1) | 1(1+0) | |
| 5 | 697 fed | Preparing a research plan | Study unit | (15) Study unit |
Total | (8) Study unit | |||
Level 4:
Course number and code | Course title | Number of study units | Prerequisite | |
1 | 613 qsr | Agricultural biostatistics | 3(2+1) | |
2 | 690 fed | Special studies | 3(3+0) | |
3 | 699 fed | Discussions (2) | 1(1+0) | |
Total | (7) Study unit | |||
Level 5:
Course number and code | Course title | Number of study units | Prerequisite | |
700 comprehensive | Comprehensive testing | 0 | (30) academic units/GPA 3.75 | |
Total | 0 | |||
Level 6:
Course number and code | Course title | Number of study units | Prerequisite | |
1 | 700 fed | PhD thesis | (12) academic units | 700 comprehensive + 697 fed |
Total | (31) study units + (12) study units for the thesis | |||
Courses Guide:
616 fed | Laboratory methods in biochemistry | 3(0+3) |
اSpectrophotometry: Optical (scanning) spectroscopy and infrared spectroscopy – scintillation spectroscopy. Chromatography: Purification of proteins – affinity or hydrophobic analysis. Electrophoresis: Acryl polyamide electrophoresis lactate dehydrogenase isoforms. Acrylic polyamide electrophoresis using sodium alkaline sulfate to determine molecular weight - immunoelectrophoresis - homogeneous electrophoresis.Centrifugation: Separation of cell components - determination of molecular weight by the federal sugar concentration method. Counting of radioactive materials and radioisotopic analysis: analysis of lipids by gas chromatography - transport of ions through biomembranes. | ||
610 fed | Nutritional changes during processing | 2(2+0) |
There are many nutritional changes that occur in foods during processing, handling, storage, etc., and these changes continue from farm to fork. Different types of traditional and modern food processing methods are applied to foods before they are consumed for the purpose of ensuring safety and obtaining other desired changes in foods. Nutritional processes may always increase or decrease certain nutrients and, in some cases, increase their availability, digestibility and beneficial properties. The course is designed to highlight the pros and cons of food processing and an idea of optimal processing with reference to different nutrients is given to the students. | ||
630 hin | Physiology of the digestive system | 2(2+0) |
545 kih | Genetic errors in metabolism | 3(3+0) |
Chromosome and the foundations of human genetics - analysis of carbohydrate metabolism (pentazorea, diseases of fructose metabolism as well as glycogen storage) - amino acids (restriction of metabolism for both the urea cycle and folate metabolism) - lipids - steroids(Deficiency of lipoproteins and diseases of cholesterol metabolism) - Pyrin - pyrimidine - mineral metabolism - porphyrin - defect in connective tissues, muscles, bones, blood and hematopoietic tissues - defect in the transport of sugars, fats, amino acids and steroids - deficiency in blood enzymes and plasma proteins. | ||
620 fed | Advanced applied nutrition | 2(2+0) |
Advanced topics in modern applied nutrition studies in the field of nutrition for pregnant women, infants, children and adolescents, nutrition in schools, nutrition for athletes, nutritional alternatives to traditional meals, modern topics in local and global nutrition problems. | ||
630 fed | Special nutritional aspects | 3(3+0) | ||
534 hin | Physiology of hormones | 2(1+1) | ||
Studying the action of hormones at the cellular and organic level in vertebrate animals by studying: regulation of hormone secretion, mechanism of action of hormones, hormones and blood sugar level, hormonal regulation of body fluids, regulation of calcium and phosphorus metabolism and levels, hormonal regulation of metabolic rate and food intake and body components, hormonal regulation For reproduction, hormones and animal behavior, hormones and balance in the body. | ||||
631 fed | Nutritional aspects of energy balance | 2(2+0) | ||
Energy: Energy metabolism - Biochemical processes for losing and building energy - Basic metabolic energy mechanisms, motor activity energy, and thermogenesis - Mechanisms of food intake in body weight - Representation and involvement of adipose tissue and brown adipose tissue in weight control - Estimates of weight gain - Basic steps of glucose and fat metabolism processes In tissues. Obesity: definition and historical development to know its mechanism - epidemiology and classification - obesity in childhood - genetic and psychological intervention in obesity - obesity and diseases - pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment of obesity. | ||||
632 fed | Modern concepts in nutrition | 2(2+0) | ||
The latest nutritional interventions in modern nutrition applications and global trends in manufacturing, marketing and prescribing nutritional supplements - Scientific trends in integrating nutritional interventions and physical stimulation and their role in health. | ||||
697 fed | Preparing a research plan | Study unit | ||
The student prepares the research plan for the doctoral thesis. | ||||
698 fed | Discussions (1) | 1(1+0) | ||
In agreement with the subject professor, the student chooses a specific topic in the field of human nutrition and submits a report on it. | ||||
621 fed | Agricultural biostatistics | 3(2+1) | ||
General linear models (the linear model and its hypotheses - the least squares method and its properties - analysis of variance of the residuals - criteria for the quality of model fit - linear transformations - dummy variables - the logistic function, selection of independent variables, linear correlation between independent variables - applications in various agricultural fields) - and non-linear statistics. Parametric (Chi-square test for goodness of fit - Chi-square test for homogeneity - Kolmogorov-Simmernov test for one sample - Sign test - Sign and rank test - Kolmogorov-Simmernov test for two samples - Wilcoxon-Mann and Tenney test for two samples - Kruskal-Wallis test for more than two samples - Median test for more than two samples - Two-sided Friedman test - Two-sided median test Trend - Spearman rank correlation - Applications in various agricultural fields. | ||||
690 fed | Special studies | 1(1+0) | ||
The student conducts laboratory or field research on a topic related to human nutrition in coordination with the subject professor and submits a scientific report on the research at the end of the semester. | ||||
699 fed | Discussions (2) | 1(1+0) | ||
In agreement with the student’s academic supervisor, the student submits a report on the research project he intends to conduct to obtain his doctorate. | ||||
700 comprehensive | Comprehensive testing | (0) | ||
Students sit for a comprehensive written and oral examination administered by the department in accordance with the rules and regulations of King Saud University. | ||||
700 fed | PhD thesis | (12) academic units | ||
The student prepares a thesis characterized by originality and innovation in one of the fields of human nutrition. | ||||
