The internship is an essential component of the dietitian’s training and is the heart of the student’s training throughout the three years of the degree programme.
Through direct experience in various professional environments, the student integrates theoretical knowledge with the practical, methodological, organisational and interpersonal skills specific to the profession.
Activities are carried out individually or in small groups, with increasing autonomy, always under the supervision of tutors and internship assistants. Internships may take place in hospitals, outpatient clinics and community healthcare centres, catering services, social and healthcare facilities, university premises and other professional work environments approved by the Degree Programme Board.
For each year of the programme, the study plan envisage a different number of hours.
For students enrolled from the 2024/2025 academic year onwards, the new study plan will be set, including the following number of hours of internship:
- 300 hours in the first year, corresponding to 12 CFU (sessions from February to June, on Mondays and Fridays, for approximately 8 hours a day)
- 550 hours in the second year, corresponding to 22 CFU (sessions from September to June on Tuesdays – 8 hours, Wednesday mornings – 4 hours and Thursdays – 8 hours)
- 650 hours in the third year, corresponding to 26 CFU (sessions from September to June on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for approximately 8 hours).
The vocational training process follows a coherent progression:
- acquisition and consolidation of theoretical prerequisites
- tutorial sessions, guided practical exercises and simulations
- hands-on experience in the field, with mentoring
- reflection on the experience and feedback
- production of reports, clinical case studies and in-depth bibliographical analyses
The planning and organisation of the internships are the responsibility of the Directorate of Teaching Activities for Training, in collaboration with the tutors and internship assistants at the partner institutions.
Attendance of internship is compulsory.
For each day, the student must fill in a time-sheet, recording arrival and departure time; at the end of each period, the tutor, assistant or site representative must validate the attendance register.
The Course Teaching Regulations sets that attendance must be certified for at least 75 per cent of the internship. The total number of professional training hours required over the three-year period must, however, be completed in full: short absences are made-up in accordance to the Directorate/Tutor, whilst for prolonged and justified absences, a personalised catch-up plan may be drawn up.
To be eligible for the practical training activities set for in the following year, students must have passed the previous year’s Annual practical training examination.
The Professional Training Workshop examination is a prerequisite for the Annual practical training examination
The skills acquired during the internships are assessed annually by the Annual practical training examination; the assessment is expressed on a scale of 30.
Committees appointed by the Degree Programme Council certify the professional learning pathway; the corresponding CFU credits are awarded once the examination has been passed.
The assessment takes into account, in relation to the year of study, professional conduct, participation, understanding of the activities, technical terminology, organisational and interpersonal skills, the production of reports and in-depth analyses, clinical cases, and the application of specific practical skills.
Referenti
Presidente del Corso di Studio: Prof.ssa Barbara Zanini (barbara.zanini@unibs.it)
Direttore della Didattica: Dott.ssa Silvia Marconi (silvia.marconi@unibs.it)
Coordinatrice del Servizio di Dietetica Clinica e Tutor dei Tirocini: Dott.ssa Chiara Cornella (chiara.cornella@asst-spedalicivili.it)
Tutor: Dott.ssa Orietta Zani (orietta.zani@asst-spedalicivili.it), Dott.ssa Stefania Benetti (stefania.benetti@asst-spedalicivli.it), Dott.ssa Maria Giuditta Grazioli (mariagiuditta.grazioli@unibs.it).
INTERNSHIP AT EXTERNAL FACILITIES
In agreement with the University Tutor, it is possible to carry out part of the internship at external facilities that have an agreement with the University.
Below are all the indications to follow in order to start the internship at external facilities.
Contact information for students for internship at external facilities
