Course syllabus for Molecular Nutrition Science

Specific entry requirements

At least 90 credits from courses within the Bachelor's programme in Nutrition Science, Including 22.5 credits in chemistry courses (of which at least 7.5 credits in biochemistry), and at least 15 credits from the course Cell and Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Genetics. In addition, at least the grade Pass in the course Physiology, Anatomy and Histology is required*. *

Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• give examples of how nutrients influence gene expression and cellular processes through molecular mechanisms, including gene regulation, signalling pathways and post-translational modifications.
• explain how the aforementioned molecular mechanisms, for example within nutrigenomics and epigenetics, are linked to cellular functions, physiological processes and disease development.
• describe the role of the microbiota in health from a molecular perspective, including interactions between microbiota, host and diet.
• explain the principles of precision nutrition, including the interaction between genetics and nutrition (nutrigenetics), and discuss its potential and limitations.
• critically appraise and interpret current research in molecular nutrition science with regard to methodological approaches, results and scientific relevance.

Content

The course addresses the molecular mechanisms underlying how diet and nutrients influence human health. Using the central dogma as a framework for different levels of biological mechanisms, the course explores in depth the relationships between nutrients, gene regulation, protein synthesis and cellular processes. It highlights how nutrients can affect gene expression and cellular signalling, and how these processes relate to physiological functions and the development of disease. The interplay between diet, host and microbiota is also examined from a molecular perspective.

Concepts such as nutrigenomics, epigenetics and nutrigenetics are introduced, along with their importance for understanding individual variation in responses to diet. The course also covers current research areas in molecular nutrition science and provides students with the opportunity to critically appraise and interpret scientific studies within the field.

Teaching methods

Teaching forms include lectures, journal clubs and group work.

Examination

Examination consists of a written examination (graded Pass with Distinction/Pass/Fail).

In the case of a fail, the examination may be retaken a maximum of five additional times. If a student has failed an examination six times, no further examination opportunity will be offered for that examination. A student who has failed an examination twice is entitled to have another examiner appointed unless there are special reasons to the contrary.

Compulsory participation:

Journal clubs and group work are compulsory. The examiner assesses if and, in that case, how absence from compulsory parts can be compensated. Before the student has participated in all compulsory parts or compensated absence according with the examiner's instructions, the student's study results cannot be finalized. Absence from a compulsory activity may result in that the student cannot compensate absence until the next time the course is given.

If there are special reasons, or need for adaptions for a student with a disability, the examiner may decide to depart from the syllabus's regulations on examination form, number of examination opportunities, possibility of complementation of or exemption from compulsory activities, etc. Content and learning outcomes as well as the level of expected skills, knowledge and abilities must not be altered, removed or lowered.

Other directives

Parts of the teaching may be conducted in English.

Literature and other teaching aids

The required reading consists of articles and other course materials that will be made available electronically.