2024/25 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

FOOD5141M Human Biochemistry and Molecular Nutrition

15 creditsClass Size: 100

Module manager: Professor Paul Sharp
Email: p.a.sharp@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module will cover various aspects of Human Biochemistry and Molecular Nutrition, including enzymes and metabolic pathways, the gut microbiome, and the role of nutrition in gene expression.

Objectives

The module aims to introduce students to: (1) elements of cellular biology and molecular relevant to nutrition; (2) major areas of interest for Nutrition researchers that allow for food to be metabolised and manipulated by the human body; (3) major and smaller components and aspects of diet that might be of interest to Nutrition researchers looking at the relationship between diet and health.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:

1. Show an understanding of the basic concepts of cell biology, the gut microbiome and molecular nutrition.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the structures and basic biochemistry of food components and how they relate to human nutrition.
3. Critically evaluate the scientific evidence on the principles relating to food-human interactions at cellular level, all the way to the entire organism, and how this contributes to human health.


Skills learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:

1. Academic skills: critical thinking, communication, i.e., academic writing, academic language, information searching & retrieval (AS2,4,5,8,9)
2. Work ready skill: communication, problem solving & analytical skills, critical thinking, core literacies (WR1,5,9,13)
3. Technical skills: subject-specific knowledge, e.g., nutrition and epigenetics

Syllabus

Topics to be covered would typically include the following:

Plant and animal cell organisation; organelles and their functions; introduction to enzymes; nucleic acids (structure, properties and function); DNA replication; RNA and RNA polymerases; r-RNA, t-RNA and m-RNA; gene transcription and expression; control of gene transcription; genetic coding; translation; DNA damage and repair; epigenetics, structure and metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, metabolites, polysaccharides, vitamins and minerals; analysis of food nutrients; microbiome; critical review of current research topics in Human Biochemistry and Molecular Nutrition.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lectures	30	1.00	30.00
seminars	4	2.00	8.00
Independent online learning hours			12.00
Private study hours			100.00
Total Contact hours			38.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students will receive formative feedback from attendance and asking questions, self-assessments using polls, e.g., Vevox, and revision and seminar sessions.

Methods of assessment

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Online Time-Limited assessment	2 hr 30 mins	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 30/08/2024

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