12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL
Undergraduate - Unit
Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.
Faculty
Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Organisational Unit
Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food
Coordinator(s)
Unit guides
Synopsis
This unit focuses on developing students' fundamental scientific knowledge as the basis for dietetics practice and nutrition science. This unit takes a scientific approach to growth and development of the human body incorporating biochemistry, genetics and physiology with an emphasis on a case based learning approach to knowledge application. Student centered teaching and learning methods will be used to support the delivery of the unit content. Students' participation as adult learners will be encouraged through the curricula with emphasis on the development of basic scientific communication skills.
Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate sound foundation knowledge of basic sciences to include biochemistry, genetics and physiology relevant to human nutrition and dietetics.
- Describe the chemical and biochemical aspects in biological molecules and the common reactions found in metabolic systems.
- Describe mechanisms of genetic inheritance and the mechanisms governing the flow of formation from DNA to RNA to protein.
- Describe mechanisms of gene expression and regulation, gene replication and repair and the causes and implications of genetic mutations.
- Describe the structure and function of cells and their diversification into tissues and major organ systems.
- Describe the general function of major organ systems and their interconnection in the human body.
- Explain the aspects of cellular metabolism in terms of energy release and dietary input.
- Demonstrate basic knowledge and skill in laboratory experimentation and in the reporting and collation of experimental data.
Assessment
- Oral presentation - group case study (20 minutes) (10%)
- 5 x Laboratory practicals (500 words each) (20%)
- Scientific poster - group presentation (1,000 words) (10%)
- Mid-semester examination (1 hour) (10%)
- Final examination (3 hours) (50%) (hurdle)
Hurdle requirements:
All assessment tasks must be completed to a pass grade for students to successfully complete this unit.
Workload requirements
11 hours contact per week plus 13 hours self directed study.
3 x 2 hours lectures, 1 x 2 hours tutorial and 1 x 3 hours practical.
See also Unit timetable information