University of the
West of England
MODULE SPECIFICATION
Code: USSJKS-20-2 Title: Human Biochemistry and Nutrition Version:
Level: UWE credit rating: ECTS credit rating:
Owning Faculty: Health and Life Sciences Field:
Faculty Committee approval: Q&S Committee (School of Life Sciences) Date: July 2010
Approved for Delivery by: N/A
Valid from: September 2010 Discontinued from:
Pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Entry Requirements:
Excluded Combinations:
Learning Outcomes:
The student will be able to:
- demonstrate an understanding of how the major metabolic pathways are regulated, and how they are altered under extreme conditions;
- explain how the major metabolic pathways interrelate within the human body as a whole;
- understand how integrated metabolism plays a key role in organs such as the liver, skeletal muscle, heart, brain and kidneys;
- explain the key role played by the endcrine and nervous systems in the control of metabolic pathways;
- explain the key principles of, and within, and the relationships between energy provision, metabolism, nutrient digestion and assimilation, and diet in the healthy mature individual;
- demonstrate an understanding of different dietary requirements at different stages of life, and in the physically acitve; and
- relate their knowledge of metabolism and metabolic regulation to the likely origins of selected nutritionally-related disorders and explain the major physiological consequences of such disorders.
Syllabus Outline:
Metabolic regulation
The various mechanisms for controlling metabolism at a tissue, cellular and molecular level will be investigated, and the importance of maintaining energy balance will be discussed.
Liver metabolism
Key principles of liver metabolism will be explained, and the role of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism under normal physiological conditions will be described.
Organ metabolism
The role of carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism and interaction between the pathways will be explained for other specific organs, inclduing the brain, kidney and heart.
Endocrinology
The basics of endocrinology will be described with the fundamentals explained in context with control of metabolism within individual cells/organs and within the body as a whole.
Metabolism under extreme conditions
The effect of changes experienced to metabolic pathways caused by extreme conditions such as intensive exercise will be described.
Human nutrition
The multi-disciplinary science of human nutrition will be introduced, in relation to the ABCD (anthropometric, biochemical, clinical, dietary) assessment of nutritional status. The classification of macro- and micronutrients will be explained and requirements and reference intakes will be included. The importance of maintaining water, electrolyte and acid-base balance will also be discussed.
Digestion, absorption and assimilation
The mechanisms for the digestion of food, absorption of, and transport mechanisms for, macro- and micronutrients, and assimilation of nutrients will be described.
Nutrition for life
Nutrition for childhood and adolescence, pregnancy and lactation, and in relation to ageing and the elderly will be discussed.
Nutritional disorders
Anthropometric assessment and body composition analysis will be studied and clinical nutritional assessment will be disucssed, with reference to obesity and selected eating disorders.
Teaching and Learning Methods:
Keynote lectures will emphasise the concepts and principles underpinning each topic, with a view to directing structured personal study. Lectures will be supported by staff-led review tutorials and case studies, and UWE Online.
Practicals will include laboratory data acquisition/analysis and workshop interpretation of prepared 'case study' data, ranging from indirect calorimetry to 'paper-based' dietary analysis. All practical work will be designed to further illustrate, consolidate and test key principles from within the syllabus content.
Referenced nutrition software will be used throughout, and its application encouraged and supported in the directed, structured personal study.
Reading Strategy:
All students will be encouraged to make full use of the print and electronic resources available to them through membership of the University. These include a range of electronic journals and a wide variety of resources available through web sites and information gateways. The University Library’s web pages provide access to subject relevant resources and services, and to the library catalogue. Many resources can be accessed remotely. Students will be presented with opportunities within the curriculum to develop their information retrieval and evaluation skills in order to identify such resources effectively.
Any essential reading will be indicated clearly, along with the method for accessing it, e.g. students may be expected to purchase a set text, be given or sold a print study pack or be referred to texts that are available electronically, etc. This guidance will be available either in the module handbook, via the module information on Blackboard or through any other vehicle deemed appropriate by the module/programme leaders.
If further reading is expected, this will be indicated clearly. If specific texts are listed, a clear indication will be given regarding how to access them and, if appropriate, students will be given guidance on how to identify relevant sources for themselves, e.g. through use of bibliographical databases.
Indicative Reading List:
Frayn K (2003) Metabolic Regulation (2e) Blackwell publishing (with accompanying CD ROM) - available as an e-book.
Bender D (2002) Introduction to Nutrition and Metabolism (3e) Taylor and Francis (with accompanying CD ROM) - available as an e-book.
Other recommended reading:
Mathews CK, van Holde KE & Ahern KG (1995) Biochemistry (2e). Benjamin-Cummings.
Reed S (2009) Essential Physiological Biochemistry: an Organ-Based Approach. Wiley-Blackwell (available electronically).
Manore M & Thompson J (2000) Sport Nutrition for Health and Human Performance. Human Kinetics.
Maughan RJ (2010) The Biochemical Basis of Human Performance.
Silverthorn D (2001) Human Physiology-An Integrated Approach (2e) Pearson Education.
Dashman T , Blocker D & Baker N (1996) Laboratory manual for Human Nutrition. Harwood Academic.
Garrow J, James W & Ralph A (2000) Human Nutrition and Dietetics (10e) Churchill Livingstone.
HMSO (MAFF) (1995) Manual of Nutrition (10e) HMSO.
Mann J & Truswell S (2002) Essentials of Human Nutrition (2e) Oxford University Press.
Websites:
Various, including Arbor Nutrition Guide, British Nutrition Foundation, British Dietetic Association.
Assessment:
Weighting between components A and B (standard modules only) A: 50% B: 50%
FIRST ATTEMPT
First Assessment Opportunity
Component A (controlled) Element Wt (Ratio)
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Second Assessment Opportunity (Resit) further attendance at taught classes
Component A (controlled) Element Wt (Ratio)
Description of each element (within Component)
EX1 |
Final Assessment |
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Component B Element Wt (Ratio)
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EXCEPTIONAL SECOND ATTEMPT Attendance at taught classes .
Specification confirmed by …………………………………………………Date ……………………………
(Associate Dean/Programme Director)