This course dives into the dynamic world of nutritional science, exploring how food fuels, shapes, and transforms the human body. Through an integrated approach combining biochemistry, physiology, and molecular biology, students will investigate how nutrients influence metabolism, health, and disease -from cellular energy production to whole-body regulation. The course is structured into six themes, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of nutritional science and spanning topics such as obesity, mitochondrial function, gastrointestinal health, nutrient sensing, functional foods, and nutrition across the lifespan. Throughout the semester, students will engage with cutting-edge research, critically evaluate contemporary nutritional debates and, as the subjects of their own analyses, apply practical laboratory techniques to gain insight into their own nutritional status!
BIOSCI 358 is a required course in the BSc specialising in Food Science and Nutrition (Nutrition pathway), and also of interest to any students planning further study or a career in the areas of food, nutrition and metabolism, dietetics, health and/or biomedical science or bioscience enterprise.