This Master's degree programme offers a total of 93 ECTS credits. Of these, students must take at least 60 (one academic year). Two specializations are offered. 30 credits are mandatory and are common to both specializations; they provide a comprehensive education in the basic foundations that Master's and doctoral students will need to graduate, and they include knowledge on molecular, metabolic, and experimental topics. The remaining required credits are split into two different specializations, and from them students must choose either nutrigenomic research and personalised nutrition or development and innovation in nutrigenomics and functional foods. These two specializations correspond to research-oriented and career-oriented profiles, respectively, but both open the doors to doctoral studies.

The nutrigenomic research and personalised nutrition pathway offers an education that covers the knowledge and application of post-genome era technologies and the application of concepts related to biological systems and personalized nutrition.

The development and innovation in nutrigenomics and functional foods pathway also provides an education related to cutting edge research and nutrition, but with a more career-oriented focus that allows for students to acquire knowledge and abilities that allow them to easily enter the professional world of nutrigenomics, personalized nutrition, molecular nutrition, functional foods, and food safety. Although this pathway is more business focused than the other, it still allows graduates to continue their studies in doctoral programmes and complete a doctoral dissertation, as a doctoral level education is also important for those who wish to pursue a career in the business world.

The overall structure of the courses can be found in the subjects section on the webpage of the Master's degree in nutrigenomics and personalised nutrition.

• Module 1 covers the basic foundations that future graduates in nutrigenomics and personalized nutrition are required to have. 
• Modules 2A and 2B correspond to the different specializations that students must choose from and which correspond to research-based or career-focused profiles, respectively:
  • Module 2A: Nutrigenomic research and personalized nutrition. This pathway is recommended for students who wish to pursue a future in research and innovation, both in public and private institutions.
  • Module 2B: Development and innovation in nutrigenomics and functional foods. This pathway has a decidedly career-oriented focus that allows students to acquire the knowledge and abilities that will serve them in the nutrigenomics, personalized nutrition, molecular nutrition, functional foods, and food safety businesses.

Via the contents that will be covered throughout the Master's programme, students will acquire a series of competences which are detailed hereafter (G indicates a generic competence, E indicates a specific competence):

Specification of the characteristics of the internship and Master's thesis (or training course stage)

Students must take one practicum-type subject if they are on pathway 2A (Research Project) or 2B (Placements at Companies in the Sector) (see subject factsheets for more information). Students must undertake extensive practical work under the supervision of a lecturer with a doctoral degree on the Master's (for the Research Project), or of a tutor at one of the collaborating companies on the Master's (for Placements at Companies in the Sector) alongside a lecturer with a doctoral degree on the Master's (who shall also monitor students whilst they do their placements).

The practicum subject comprises nine credits and is closely linked to the Master's Thesis (TFM - six credits). A report must be submitted for assessment on the work and learning undertaken during the practicum, including the results and scientific discussion thereof (see TFM subject factsheet). Said report shall be presented at a public viva defence examination before a panel approved by the management body for the Master's. The panel may, where applicable, include members from the business sphere or visiting lecturers. The panel assesses the submitted report and its defence. In order to perform this assessment, the panel has a scoring guide containing the different items to consider and the possible marks awarded for each one (you may consult the rubric at this link).

Programme background and degrees allowing access

An important thing to consider about these studies is their background: they are adapted from the doctoral programme in nutrition and metabolism, organized by the UIB, to the new official regulations regarding postgraduate studies established by Royal Decree 56/2005 and later by Royal Decree 1393/2007. The doctoral programme in nutrition and metabolism has been widely successful; this is evidenced by the fact that it has been awarded the high quality doctoral programme seal by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Culture every year since the recognition was created in 2003, and that the University of Barcelona and the Rovira i Virgili University have and continue to collaborate with the programme.

Academic, scientific, and professional relevance and interest 

Now, in the 21^st century, the science of nutrition incorporates knowledge about metabolism, food, and the interactions between genes and nutrients (nutrigenomics) in order to improve people's diets and health and to offer increasingly personalized nutrition. These Master's and doctoral level studies aim to train professionals who are specialized in the field, from researchers who contribute to discovering unknown properties of nutrients and components of foods and later disseminating those findings, to professionals who contribute to the design of new foods with positive health effects within the field of functional foods and the aspects related to food technologies and who understand the field of food safety and related laws and regulations, to professionals dedicated to researching molecular nutrition. It is important to consider that society raises new questions related to these fields every day, and it constantly demands greater advances in these fields and thus more qualified professionals.

Additionally, it should be noted that there is a series of indicators that highlight the scientific, academic, and professional relevance of these studies and the teaching staff:

1. The significant number and relevance of publications from research groups involved in the project.

2. These studies are supported by specialists from the European Network of Excellence in Nutrigenomics Research, the NuGO (the European Nutrigenomics Organization). Backed by a European Commission label as a "Network of Research Excellence" and by the scientific merits of its members, the NuGO is a unique network in this field, and members of the UIB's own research group participate in the group and coordinate this study programme (the research group headed by Dr Andreu Palou). The existence of this organization in the European context highlights the significant level of interest that the topics of nutrition and nutrigenomics (the basis for the contents of this Master's programme) are generating.

3. Other indicators of the scientific, academic, and professional importance of these studies and the teaching staff are the major projects that the director of studies, as lead researcher and in collaboration with his research group, and the recognition of the group in CIBER (Centros de Investigación Biomédica en Red [Networked Biomedical Research Centres]) within CIBER Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition. It should also be considered that, in the 2004-2007 National Plan for Scientific Research, Development, and Technological Innovation, approved by Council of Ministers agreement of 7 November 2003, and in Spain's 2010 Ingenio Programme, which serves as a tool for promoting R&D in public policies, they establish the need to bolster high-level research in biomedicine and health sciences carried out by the National Health System via the development and empowering of stable networked research structures. With this objective in mind, a policy for strengthening and empowering these structures was created with the legally binding inclusion of research groups into CIBER, in areas of interest to the National Health System.

4. Additionally, the group and its lead researcher participate in many research projects, both nationally and internationally. Of note is project AGL2006-04877/ALI "Functional nutrigenomics and obesity. The effect of the components of breast milk and specific nutrients during early postnatal development on resistance to obesity and their metabolic complications in adulthood" and the project "Identification and prevention of dietary- and lifestyle-induced health effects in children and infants (IDEFICS)" (subsidised by the 6th Framework Programme created by the European Union), among others.

5. Researchers involved in the Master's and doctoral programmes have a wide range of experience in carrying out research projects with international partners, which over the years has led to the creation of international research projects and networks for scientific collaboration (such as, BIOCLAIMS, "Bioactive food components, mitochondrial function and health, COST FA0602", "Red temática de investigación cooperative G03/028", "Dietary lipids as risk factors in development (DLARFID). Mechanistic issues. QLRT2001001832000/C324/11", "Body weight control and energy expenditure. Functional food and nutrition technology, COST action 918", "Metabolic integration and energy control. Regulation of energy balance from brown adipocytes to whole animals, Human Capital and Mobility-Network, ERBCHRXCT940490"), the publication of original articles in high-impact journals, and the exchange of researchers, both those studying and experienced PhD holders.

6. Researchers involved with this study programme also have extensive experience with business contacts which has led to various opportunities for collaboration contracts (which are normally renewed yearly) that are signed with the research group. In recent years, such contracts have been signed with businesses such as Flora-Unilever, Mercadona, Cognis, Corporación Alimentaria Peñasanta SA (Central Lechera Asturiana), Puleva Biotech, Natraceutical, and Casa Tarradellas, among others. These collaborations have had positive repercussions on the Master's and doctoral programmes as they have allowed collaborative agreements to be set up in which businesses actively participate in accepting and authorizing students to carry out their internships. 

7. The notable presence in highly prestigious European foundations and institutions, such as the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI; a foundation that includes major worldwide food companies: Coca-Cola, Nestlé, Danone, etc.) and the FIAB (the Spanish Federation of Food and Drink Companies). Presence in official institutes should also be noted, such as the AESAN (the Spanish Agency for consumer Affairs, Food and Safety) whose Science Commission was presided over by professor Palou and in which programme professor Dr Catalina Picó now participates, and the SCF (Scientific Committee on Food) between 1997 and 2002 which continued as a scientific panel on nutrition (diet, nutrition, and allergy products) for the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) and in which professor Palou also served as vice president. Both institutions (the AESAN and EFSA) represent the main official governmental institutions on matters related to food safety in Spain and the European Union, respectively. Another example of our presence in the scientific field related to the topics covered in these Master's and doctoral programmes is the fact that professor Palou's group made up part of the organizing committee of the 3rd International Conference on Nutrigenomics, which under the title of "from Nutrigenomics to Personalized Nutrition", was carried out in Palma de Mallorca In November of 2005.

Other participating institutions, companies, and public and private bodies

• There is an agreement between the "Master in Nutrigenomics and Personalised Nutrition" (UIB) and the "Master in Nutrition and Metabolism" (URV-UB), allowing to share specific subjects, using telematic tools, among others, and specially highlighting the use of videoconference. (Complete protocol of collaboration).
  • Rovira i Virgili University (URV)
  • University of Barcelona (UB)
• The following leading companies and institutions in nutrition and the human diet:
  • Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER) Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition. CIBER is an initiative pertaining to the Institute of Health Carlos III (Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality).
  • Corporación Alimentaria Peñasanta, SA
  • Biosearch life (previously Puleva-Biotech)
  • Unilever
  • PASCUAL
  • IBABSA
  • Biópolis
• Other institutions that have shown their support:
  • NuGO (European Nutrigenomics Organization)

To summarize, the Master's and doctoral study programmes in nutrigenomics and personalized nutrition offer a specialized education, aimed at training professionals in the field of molecular nutrition with special attention being given to new technologies such as transcriptomics, epigenomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and systems biology, as these areas are fundamental for new professionals in the world of nutrition. Also of increasing importance is having knowledge about issues related to food safety and quality as well as functional foods. The need for these professionals stems from the interest that society is placing on having a better quality of life through proper personalized nutrition based on the new knowledge of gene-nutrient interactions and the application of new diagnostic tools based on early markers of diseases. Additionally it is increasingly evident that, aside from applying nutritional concepts to the general public, the use of personalized nutrition is ever more relevant as it allows one to go more in-depth with regard to the nutritional and metabolic characteristics of small groups and populations, and even individuals.