Human Nutrition - Micronutrients

Aim and Content

The course provides a detailed introduction to the digestion, absorption, transport, storage and excretion of the different micronutrients, focusing on their function and biochemistry. Furthermore, evaluations of diet and nutrient status are in focus, as well as the prevention and treatment of health complications related to diet.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge:

• Define vitamins and minerals and the classes of compounds the different ones belong to, which chemical structure they have and the most important properties of the molecule.
• Describe the metabolism of these compounds in the body; absorption, digestion, transport, storage and excretion.
• Describe the function of each of the compounds in the body, and what consequences deficiency and/or toxicity might have.
• Define main sources of the different compounds in a Norwegian diet, and in which population groups in Norway or what areas of the world can deficiency symptoms/diseases and/or toxicity be expected to occur, and what are the consequences of this.
• Describe the impact of diet on normal development and health, including over- and malnutrition, dietary habits in Western societies and developing countries, and some of the most current health problems related to diet (such as diabetes, blood-lipid related diseases, cardiovascular diseases and metabolic syndrome).

Skills:

• Measure dietary pattern and nutrient intake
• Critically read research articles related to nutrition research
• Write a scientific text (semester paper), with correct use of citations

Competence:

• Have the ability to ask critical questions and discuss nutrition research with fellow students.

Course offered (semester)

Spring

Language of Instruction

Norwegian

Course Unit Level

Master

Department

NIFES

Pre-requirements

MOL101, KJEM100 or KJEM110, BIO110, BIO111, BI0113, BIO114

Compulsory Requirements

Seminar with oral presentations, dietary survey and a written semester paper.

Assessment methods

Oral presentation of assigned topic (33%), written paper (33%) and oral exam (33%).

Grading Scale

Grading scale A-F

Course Unit Evaluation

Written evaluation on My Space/Mi side

Contact Information

studie@med.uib.no / +47 55 97 73 45 / +47 55 58 25 35