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
Chief examiner(s)
Coordinator(s)
Unit guides
Synopsis
This unit focuses on developing fundamental scientific knowledge as the basis for nutrition science. This unit introduces you to the chemistry of organic molecules expanding to incorporate the biochemical pathways relevant to nutrient metabolism.
Protein, fat, carbohydrate and alcohol metabolism are covered in detail laying the foundation for a detailed understanding of energy metabolism in humans.
The unit concludes with the introduction of other molecules of life (DNA and RNA) and describes the processes of genetic inheritance, mitosis, meiosis and gene transcription and the importance of gene nutrient interactions in human health. 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 will be able to:
- Demonstrate foundation knowledge of basic sciences to include chemistry, molecular biology, and biochemistry relevant to human nutrition and dietetics
- Describe the chemistry of atoms and molecules
- Explain how atoms and molecules interact in chemical reactions and calculate chemical equations (stoichiometry)
- Describe the chemical and biochemical aspects of biological molecules
- Classify the main features of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells (including membranes, organelles and enzymes), and correlate their structures with biological functions
- Explain the aspects of cellular macronutrient and alcohol metabolism in terms of dietary input and energy release.
- Explain mechanisms of genetic inheritance and the factors that govern the flow of information from DNA to RNA to protein
- Demonstrate basic knowledge and skill in laboratory experimentation and in the reporting and collation of experimental data
Assessment
- 5 x laboratory practicals (500 words each) (20%)
- Scientific poster - group presentation (10%)
- Mid Semester Examination (20%)
- Final examination (3 hours) (50%) (Hurdle)
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