NUTRITIONAL PHYSIOLOGY & METABOLISM - 2021/2

Module code: BMS2077

Module Overview

This module is designed to demonstrate the context by which human physiology and metabolism impacts on nutrition and nutritionals status. It accompanies parallel modules on nutrition, but provides a basis of understanding how the asimilation and utilisation of energy and nutrients impacts on physiology, metabolism and therefore nutritional status.

Module provider

School of Biosciences and Medicine

Module Leader

COLLINS Adam (Biosc & Med)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 5

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Overall student workload

Independent Learning Hours: 88

Seminar Hours: 10

Tutorial Hours: 10

Practical/Performance Hours: 9

Guided Learning: 8

Captured Content: 25

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

BMS1027, BMS1030

Module content


Lecture topics include
Homeostasis
GI physiology
Endocrinology and hormonal control
The immune system and immunology
Energy balance
Carbohydrate
Protein
Body composition & nutritional status

Practical elements include
Body composition assessment
Glycaemic response to food

Assessment pattern

Assessment type Unit of assessment Weighting
Practical based assessment PRACTICAL PROFORMA QUESTIONS 50
Examination Online ONLINE (OPEN BOOK) SAQ EXAM - 120 MINS WITHIN A 24HR WINDOW 50

Alternative Assessment

No alternative assessment.

Assessment Strategy

The coursework assessment is designed to test understanding of the material
Practical elements will be formatively assessed in the practical and in the tutorials

An essay/case study question exam will be used to assess the understanding and application of knowledge

Module aims

  • To provide an understanding of the role of nutrition in whole body homeostasis
  • To provide insight into how physiology and metabolism are regulated and controlled
  • To more fully understand the assimilation and regulation of dietary energy and macronutrients.
  • To provide theoretical and practical appreciation of the concept of nutritional status and its measurement

Learning outcomes

Attributes Developed
001 Understand the concept of whole body homeostasis in health and disease K
002 Introduce the activities of the GI tract and their effects on digestion of specific food types. K
003 Identify key endocrine organs, explore the use of hormones as effectors of control and explain their actions at target site K
004 To understand the energy and macronutrient demands of humans K
005 Have a sound knowledge of the cells and tissues which comprise the immune system and the principles of immunology K
006 Have a practical awareness of body composition and nutritional status assessment PT

Attributes Developed

C - Cognitive/analytical

K - Subject knowledge

T - Transferable skills

P - Professional/Practical skills

Methods of Teaching / Learning

This will be a combination of lectures and practicals.

Lectures and practicals will be supported through use of tutorials and online material.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: BMS2077

Other information

Known food allergies need to be disclosed by students prior to some practical elements

Programmes this module appears in

Programme Semester Classification Qualifying conditions
Nutrition BSc (Hons) 1 Compulsory A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
Food Science and Nutrition BSc (Hons) 1 Compulsory A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
Nutrition and Dietetics BSc (Hons) 1 Compulsory A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2021/2 academic year.