NNEK23003U Integrative Human Metabolism

Volume 2024/2025
Education

MSc Programme in Human Nutrition

Content

This course offers an integrated view of metabolism and metabolic regulation in humans. The main focus is on energy and macronutrient metabolism (fat, protein, carbohydrate) but insights into other physiological functions relevant to nutrient metabolism are also provided. The focal point is on how the body operates in some common physiological states of daily life—including fasting and feeding—and how it copes with a variety of some less common physiological situations—including prolonged fasting (starvation), overfeeding, calorie restriction mimetics (intermittent fasting and time-restricted feeding regimens), exercise, and exposure to environmental stressors. The key metabolic alterations underpinning some common pathological conditions relevant to nutrition and metabolism (e.g. obesity and diabetes) are also covered.

Learning Outcome

The main objective of the course is to provide an understanding of the interrelations between the metabolism of macronutrients, and of the cooperation of different organs in the integration and regulation of metabolism at the whole-body level in humans under a variety of physiological scenarios.

Knowledge:

  • Outline how short- and long-term metabolic regulation is achieved at the tissue level (by modulating enzyme and transporter activity) and at the whole body level (by modulating hormone availability).
  • Recount the key points in the metabolism of the macronutrients that allow for integration and regulation of their metabolism at the whole-body level.
  • Recognize the role of various organs in metabolic regulation.
  • Describe the major metabolic and physiological changes occurring in response to a variety of conditions.


Skills:

  • Be able to discuss how a perturbation of metabolic homeostasis (e.g. altered nutrient availability caused by over- or under-eating, altered fuel demands caused by exercise, altered hormone levels caused by disease, etc.) affects metabolism at the organ/tissue and whole-body levels.

 

Competences:

  • Characterize metabolic patterns during normal daily life (fasting and feeding), but also during some not so common physiological conditions.

Course literature will be announced at study start on the course’s Absalon page.

In-depth knowledge, skills and competences in the field of human physiology and nutritional biochemistry (similar to the MSc course “Advanced Nutrition Physiology and Metabolism”) are highly recommended. Without a corresponding background the course will be difficult to follow.
Lectures, reading papers, group work, theoretical exercises, and discussions in plenum.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 40
  • Class Instruction
  • 30
  • Preparation
  • 123
  • Exercises
  • 10
  • Exam
  • 3
  • Total
  • 206
Oral
Collective

Oral feedback will be given collectively when reviewing theoretical exercises and original papers in class.

Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
On-site written exam, 3 hours under invigilation
Type of assessment details
The course has been selected for ITX exam
See important information about ITX-exams at Study Information, menu point: Exams -> Exam types and rules -> Written on-site exams (ITX)
Aid
All aids allowed

As the exam is an ITX-exam, the University will make computers available to students at the exam. Students are therefore not permitted to bring their own computers, tablets, calculators, or mobile phones.

Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Several internal examiners
Re-exam

Same as the ordinary exam.

If 10 or fewer students have registered for re-examination, the examination will be changed to an oral examination. Student will draw 2-3 questions and have 10 minutes preparation time followed by 20 minutes examination including assessment. All aids allowed.

Criteria for exam assesment

Please see ”Learning Outcome”