Nutrition (NUTR) 405
Nutrition in Health and Disease (Revision 5)
Revision 5 is closed for registrations, replaced by current version.
View previous syllabus
Delivery Mode: Individualized study. Computer access required.
Credits: 3
Area of Study: Science
Prerequisite: NUTR 330
Precluded Course: NUTR 331. (NUTR 405 may not be taken for credit if credit has already been obtained for NUTR 331.)
Centre: Centre for Science
NUTR 405 has a Challenge for Credit option.
Overview
There is now a large body of evidence demonstrating that diet has a major impact on health. In this course we examine this subject. We start by looking at nutrition research. Without some understanding of how nutrition advances are made, you cannot properly appreciate the significance of conflicting claims. From there we survey the dietary causes of chronic diseases related to lifestyle, including hypertension, coronary heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and cancer. Later units deal with other special topics.
This course examines many controversial areas. The student must understand that nutrition science is in constant flux—a “consensus” statement often simply reflects what the majority of experts believe; plenty of other experts may disagree. In this course we look at various controversies. The course also discusses nutrition issues throughout the life cycle.
This course builds on NUTR 330. Accordingly, we assume that the student has a reasonable understanding of general nutrition.
Outline
Unit 1: General Principles of Research in Nutrition
Unit 2: Human Diet and Evolution
Unit 3: The Concept of Chronic Diseases of Lifestyle
Unit 4: Dietary Fibre, Gallstones, and Diseases Related to the Colon
Unit 5: Cardiovascular Diseases
Unit 6: Obesity and Diabetes
Unit 7: Diet and Cancer
Unit 8: What Is the Healthiest Diet?
Unit 9: Special Topics
Unit 10: Life Cycle Nutrition I: Pregnancy, Lactation, and Infancy
Unit 11: Life Cycle Nutrition II: Children, Teenagers, and the Elderly
Unit 12: Nutrition and Exercise
Unit 13: Consumer Concerns, Environmental Issues, and Hunger
Evaluation
To receive credit for NUTR 405, you must obtain at least 55% on the final examination, 60% on assignments 1 and 2, and obtain an overall course mark of at least 60%. The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:
Assignment 1 | Assignment 2 | Midterm Exam | Final Exam | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|
15% | 12% | 33% | 40% | 100% |
The midterm and final examinations for this course must be taken online with an AU-approved exam invigilator at an approved invigilation centre. It is your responsibility to ensure your chosen invigilation centre can accommodate online exams. For a list of invigilators who can accommodate online exams, visit the Exam Invigilation Network.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.
Course Materials
Textbook
Whitney, E. N., and S. R. Rolfes. Understanding Nutrition, 11th ed. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth, 2008.
Other Materials
The course materials also include a study guide, student manual, CD-ROM, a reading file, and a copy of Canada’s Food Guide.
Challenge for Credit Course Overview
The Challenge for Credit process allows students to demonstrate that they have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university level course.
Full information for the Challenge for Credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
- Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Policy
- Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Procedures
Challenge Evaluation
To receive credit for the NUTR 405 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least 60 per cent on the assignment and 60 per cent on the examination, and obtain a course composite grade of at least “C-” (60 percent).
Assignment | Exam | Total |
---|---|---|
25% | 75% | 100% |
Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Course Registration Form
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized-study counterparts.
Opened in Revision 5, February 10, 2009.
View previous syllabus
Last updated by SAS 11/24/2015 11:44:20