School: Medical 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

    2019
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
  • Unit Coordinator

    Ms Catherine PROPERZI

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

Nutritional biochemistry knowledge is core to the Dietetic professional role. The unit will be taught through an interactive lecture process, whereby students will discuss and critique current nutritional literature in a collaborative way. The use of cases, study aids, and quizzes will enhance student learning and oral communication skills will be developed during tutorial presentations.

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%
Examination ^End of semester exam45%

^ Mandatory to Pass


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

School: Medical 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

    2019
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    3
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
  • Unit Coordinator

    Ms Catherine PROPERZI

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. Nutrients will be studied in relation to their role in health outcomes and the pathophysiology of selected disease states.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded NUT4449

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Critically analyse the effects of nutrients on integrated metabolism within the human body to inform the process of nutritional decision making
  2. Evaluate the links between biochemical pathways and regulation, and human nutrition and metabolism, to inform the application of medical nutrition therapy
  3. Communicate the effects of various disease states on integrated metabolism to diverse audiences

Unit Content

  1. Major metabolic pathways of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins
  2. Regulation and integration of metabolism.
  3. Micronutrient metabolism and integration with major metabolic pathways
  4. Pathophysiology and metabolic effects of selected disease states

Learning Experience

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU Blackboard.

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 213 x 2 hour lectureNot OfferedNot Offered
Semester 213 x 2 hour tutorialNot OfferedNot Offered

For more information see the Semester Timetable

Additional Learning Experience Information

In this unit students discuss and critique unit content in a collaborative way. Quizzes will enhance student learning and oral communication skills will be developed through presentations.

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%
Examination ^End of semester exam45%

^ Mandatory to Pass


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|3|2