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  2. Nutritional Biochemistry [NUT5115]

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Exercise and Health Sciences

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Nutritional Biochemistry

  • Unit Code

    NUT5115

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    1

  • Version

    2

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

This unit explores the biochemical pathways of the macro and micronutrients in relation to their role in human nutrition. An advanced biochemical study of lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals will elucidate their role in energy utilisation, regulation and control of human metabolism. The pathophysiology of metabolic syndrome and other disease states will be examined in relation to biochemical dysfunction. Recent advances in nutrigenomics and the biochemical components of food will be studied in relation to the importance of nutrition in health outcomes.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded NUT4449

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Assess the effects of various disease states on the alteration of metabolic pathways.
  2. Critically analyse the biochemical components of functional foods in relation to health outcomes.
  3. Critically analyse the effect of fed versus fasting states on metabolic pathways.
  4. Critically assess vitamins as cofactors in metabolic pathways.
  5. Evaluate differential macronutrient composition on metabolic pathways.
  6. Evaluate the role of specific minerals in metabolic pathways.
  7. Examine the metabolic pathways used in the generation and storage of energy.

Unit Content

  1. Carbohydrate metabolism - glycolysis, gluconeogenesis.
  2. Chemical components of functional foods and their biochemical role in normal and altered energy metabolism.
  3. Disease states and altered energy metabolism. Nutrigenomics and nutritional epigenetics.
  4. Fasting and postprandial metabolic states.
  5. Hormonal regulation and integration of energy metabolism.
  6. Lipid metabolism - beta oxidation, lipoprotein metabolism, ketosis, essential fatty acids.
  7. Micronutrient metabolism.
  8. Protein metabolism - essential amino acids, glucogenic amino acids, ketogenic amino acids.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures and tutorials are supported by audiovisual material, e-Learning platforms and computer software. During tutorial sessions students work individually or in small groups to analyse and critique journal and review articles relating to nutritional interventions in disease.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
TestTutorial quizzes15%
TestMid-semester test25%
Tutorial PresentationMetabolism presentation15%
ExaminationEnd of semester exam45%

Text References

  • ^ Gropper, S., Smith, J., & Groff, J. (2013). Advanced nutrition and human metabolism (6th ed.). California, USA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning. Note: Prescribed text.
  • ^ Stipanuk, M. & Caudill, M. (Eds.). (2013). Biochemical, physiological and molecular aspects of human nutrition (3rd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Saunders. Note: Recommended text.
  • Berdanier, C., & Zempleni, J. (2008). Advanced nutrition. Macronutrients, micronutrients and metabolism (2nd ed.). Florida, USA: CRC Press.
  • Litwack, G. (2008). Human biochemistry and disease. Burlington: Elsevier.
  • Lanham-New, S., Macdonald, I., & Roche, H. (2010). Nutrition and metabolism (2nd ed.). Oxford, England: Wiley-Blackwell.
  • Das, U. (2010). Metabolic syndrome pathophysiology. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
  • Murray, K. (2009). Harper's illustrated biochemistry (28th ed.). London, England: McGraw-Hill.
  • Yildiz, F. (2009). Advances in food biochemistry. Hoboken: CRC Press.
  • Luxton, R. (2008). Clinical biochemistry (2nd ed.). Oxfordshire, England: Scion.

Journal References

  • Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism
  • Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition
  • Annual Review of Nutrition
  • British Journal of Nutrition
  • Clinical Nutrition
  • Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition
  • European Journal of Nutrition
  • Journal of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine
  • Nutrition Research Reviews
  • Nutrition Reviews
  • Journal of the American College of Nutrition
  • Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism
  • European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
  • Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Australian Prescriber
  • Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition
  • The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
  • Journal of Nutrition
  • Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry
  • Nutrition Journal

^ Mandatory reference

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

NUT5115|2|1

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Exercise and Health Sciences

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Nutritional Biochemistry

  • Unit Code

    NUT5115

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    2

  • Version

    2

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

This unit explores the biochemical pathways of the macro and micronutrients in relation to their role in human nutrition. An advanced biochemical study of lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals will elucidate their role in energy utilisation, regulation and control of human metabolism. The pathophysiology of metabolic syndrome and other disease states will be examined in relation to biochemical dysfunction. Recent advances in nutrigenomics and the biochemical components of food will be studied in relation to the importance of nutrition in health outcomes.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded NUT4449

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Assess the effects of various disease states on the alteration of metabolic pathways.
  2. Critically analyse the biochemical components of functional foods in relation to health outcomes.
  3. Critically analyse the effect of fed versus fasting states on metabolic pathways.
  4. Critically assess vitamins as cofactors in metabolic pathways.
  5. Evaluate differential macronutrient composition on metabolic pathways.
  6. Evaluate the role of specific minerals in metabolic pathways.
  7. Examine the metabolic pathways used in the generation and storage of energy.

Unit Content

  1. Carbohydrate metabolism - glycolysis, gluconeogenesis.
  2. Chemical components of functional foods and their biochemical role in normal and altered energy metabolism.
  3. Disease states and altered energy metabolism. Nutrigenomics and nutritional epigenetics.
  4. Fasting and postprandial metabolic states.
  5. Hormonal regulation and integration of energy metabolism.
  6. Lipid metabolism - beta oxidation, lipoprotein metabolism, ketosis, essential fatty acids.
  7. Micronutrient metabolism.
  8. Protein metabolism - essential amino acids, glucogenic amino acids, ketogenic amino acids.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures and tutorials are supported by audiovisual material, e-Learning platforms and computer software. During tutorial sessions students work individually or in small groups to analyse and critique journal and review articles relating to nutritional interventions in disease.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
TestTutorial quizzes15%
TestMid-semester test25%
Tutorial PresentationMetabolism presentation15%
ExaminationEnd of semester exam45%

Text References

  • ^ Gropper, S., Smith, J., & Groff, J. (2013). Advanced nutrition and human metabolism (6th ed.). California, USA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning. Note: Prescribed text.
  • ^ Stipanuk, M. & Caudill, M. (Eds.). (2013). Biochemical, physiological and molecular aspects of human nutrition (3rd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Saunders. Note: Recommended text.
  • Berdanier, C., & Zempleni, J. (2008). Advanced nutrition. Macronutrients, micronutrients and metabolism (2nd ed.). Florida, USA: CRC Press.
  • Litwack, G. (2008). Human biochemistry and disease. Burlington: Elsevier.
  • Lanham-New, S., Macdonald, I., & Roche, H. (2010). Nutrition and metabolism (2nd ed.). Oxford, England: Wiley-Blackwell.
  • Das, U. (2010). Metabolic syndrome pathophysiology. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
  • Murray, K. (2009). Harper's illustrated biochemistry (28th ed.). London, England: McGraw-Hill.
  • Yildiz, F. (2009). Advances in food biochemistry. Hoboken: CRC Press.
  • Luxton, R. (2008). Clinical biochemistry (2nd ed.). Oxfordshire, England: Scion.

Journal References

  • Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism
  • Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition
  • Annual Review of Nutrition
  • British Journal of Nutrition
  • Clinical Nutrition
  • Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition
  • European Journal of Nutrition
  • Journal of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine
  • Nutrition Research Reviews
  • Nutrition Reviews
  • Journal of the American College of Nutrition
  • Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism
  • European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
  • Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Australian Prescriber
  • Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition
  • The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
  • Journal of Nutrition
  • Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry
  • Nutrition Journal

^ Mandatory reference

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

NUT5115|2|2