NUT1101 - Science foundations - 2019

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)

Associate Professor Maxine Bonham

Coordinator(s)

Ms Aimee Dordevic

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2019 (On-campus)

Co-requisites

NUT1001 or NUT1010. Must be enrolled in Bachelor of Nutrition Science or Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics (Honours).

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:

  1. Demonstrate foundation knowledge of basic sciences to include chemistry, molecular biology, and biochemistry relevant to human nutrition and dietetics
  2. Describe the chemistry of atoms and molecules
  3. Explain how atoms and molecules interact in chemical reactions and calculate chemical equations (stoichiometry)
  4. Describe the chemical and biochemical aspects of biological molecules
  5. Classify the main features of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells (including membranes, organelles and enzymes), and correlate their structures with biological functions
  6. Explain the aspects of cellular macronutrient and alcohol metabolism in terms of dietary input and energy release.
  7. Explain mechanisms of genetic inheritance and the factors that govern the flow of information from DNA to RNA to protein
  8. 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

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study