Biochemistry of Nutrition major (MJD-BCNDM)

Nutritional science is an applied subject that draws information from many biological areas, with much of the science coming from biochemical studies. The Biochemistry of Nutrition extended major is an integrative area of study that combines physiology, human biology, microbiology, chemistry, molecular biology, and biochemistry and applies these sciences specifically to the study of health, diet, nutrition, disease, and the connections that exist among them. This extended major includes studies of nutrients, food constituents and their function regarding humans and other mammals, and specifically focuses on nutrient chemical components and how they function biochemically, physiologically and metabolically, as well as their impact on disease. Students will gain an appreciation of the clinical relevance of nutritional biochemistry and the influence of dietary modification and nutritional intervention on physiology and physiological dysfunction.

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) demonstrate an in-depth understanding of required foundational knowledge in biochemistry, molecular biology and physiology; (2) understand the biochemical and physiological principles of the processes involved in the digestion and absorption of nutrients, involvement of gut microflora, and impact on human health; (3) describe the major metabolic pathways involved in the metabolism of nutrients in the human body and how they relate to disease pathology; (4) demonstrate how to research topics, participate in teamwork, seek out information and solve problems in nutritional biochemistry; (5) demonstrate technical competency in application of current scientific methodology required to conduct laboratory-based investigations, including experimental design, data collection and interpretation, critical analysis, and operation of laboratory equipment; (6) communicate effectively scientific information and analyses of laboratory-based data in written and oral forms; and (7) apply high-level critical thinking, teamwork and communication and skills required for employment and further studies related to the biochemistry of nutrition.

Broadening guidelines

All students studying towards a Bachelor's Degree at UWA are required to Broaden their studies by completing a minimum of four units (24 points) of study outside their degree specific major. Broadening is your opportunity to explore other areas of interest, investigate new disciplines and knowledge paradigms and to shape your degree to suit your own aspirations and interests. Over the next few months you will find here some broadening suggestions related to your degree-specific major. While we know that many students value guidance of this sort, these are only suggestions and students should not lose sight of the opportunity to explore that is afforded by your Broadening Choices. Advice can also be sought from your Allocated Student Advising Office. If you are completing this major in a Combined Bachelor's masters Course, you have elected to pursue a highly specialised and in-depth program of study in your chosen field. While you are encouraged to use the free elective units available in your course to study in other disciplines offered at UWA, your formal requirement to broaden your course will be met through the Honours and Postgraduate units which form an integral part of your course.

Prerequisites

ATAR Mathematics Methods or equivalent or higher or ATAR Mathematics Mathematics Applications with a mathematics unit taken in the first year. Students without ATAR mathematics will take two first year mathematics unit.

Chemistry ATAR or equivalent or an additional chemistry unit taken in the first year.

Biochemistry of Nutrition can only be taken as a degree-specific major in the following degree courses:

Overview of unit sequence

Biochemistry of Nutrition is a degree-specific double major comprising:

  • six Level 1 units
  • four Level 2 units
  • eight Level 3 units
Key to availability of units:
S1 = Semester 1; S2 = Semester 2; N/A = not available in 2022

Note: Units that are indicated as N/A may be available in 2023 or 2024.

Level 1

Degree-specific major units
Take all units (24 points):
Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 ANHB1101 Human Biology I: Becoming Human
Prerequisites:
Nil
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil
S2 BIOC1001 Introductory Cellular Biochemistry
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of ATAR Subject(s) Chemistry ATAR
or
Unit(s) CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Successful completion of CHEM1004 Biological Chemistry
S1, S2 CHEM1001 Chemistry—Properties and Energetics
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of Unit(s) CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry (ID 1063)
or
ATAR Subject(s) Chemistry
or
ATAR Subject(s) WACE Chemistry 3A/3B
or
equivalent
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil
S2 SCIE1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of ATAR Subject(s) Human Biology
or
equivalent
or
ATAR Subject(s) Biology
or
equivalent
or
Unit(s) ANHB1101 Human Biology I: Becoming Human
or
Unit(s) ANHB1102 Human Biology II: Being Human
or
Unit(s) BIOL1130 Frontiers in Biology
or
Unit(s) IMED1001 Form and Function and Successful completion of ATAR Subject(s) Chemistry
or
equivalent
or
Unit(s) CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Unit(s) SCIE2225 Molecular Biology
Degree-specific major units
Take unit(s) to the value of 6 points from this group:
Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1, S2 SCIE1104 Science, Society and Data Analysis
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of ATAR Subject(s) Mathematics Applications
or
equivalent
or
Mathematics Methods
or
equivalent
or
Unit(s) MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals
Co-requisites:
Enrolment in Unit(s) MATH1721 Mathematics Foundations: Methods
Or
SCIE1500 Analytical Methods for Scientists Successful completion of Unit(s) MATH1721 Mathematics Foundations: Methods
Or
SCIE1500 Analytical Methods for Scientists
Incompatibility:
Successful completion of Unit(s) STAT1520 Economic and Business Statistics
S1, S2 STAT1400 Statistics for Science
Prerequisites:
Mathematics Applications ATAR
or
MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals
or
equivalent
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
STAT1520 Economic and Business Statistics
Bridging units
Bridging units must be successfully completed within the first 48 points of study. Students without Mathematics Methods ATAR or equivalent or higher take MATH1721. Students without Mathematics Applications ATAR or equivalent or higher take MATH1720 and MATH1721. Students without Chemistry ATAR or equivalent or higher take CHEM1003.
Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1, S2 CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry
Prerequisites:
Nil
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
ATAR Subject(s) Chemistry
or
equivalent
S1, S2 MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals
Prerequisites:
Mathematics Applications ATAR [with a scaled score of less than 50]
or
with permission
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Mathematics Applications ATAR [with a scaled score of 50
or
greater]
or
Equivalent
or
higher
S1, S2 MATH1721 Mathematics Foundations: Methods
Prerequisites:
( Mathematics Applications ATAR
or
MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals )
or
( Mathematics Methods ATAR [with a scaled score of less than 50]
or
equivalent )
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
MATH1011 Multivariable Calculus and MATH1012 Mathematical Theory and Methods and STAT1520 Economics and Business Statistics

Level 2

Degree-specific major units
Take all units (24 points):
Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 BIOC2001 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of two Unit(s) SCIE1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell and Unit(s) CHEM1004 Biological Chemistry
or
Unit(s) BIOC1001 Introductory Cellular Biochemistry
or
Unit(s) CHEM1002 Chemistry—Structure and Reactivity
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Unit(s) BIOC2201 Biochemistry of the Cell and Unit(s) SCIE2225 Molecular Biology
S2 BIOC2002 Biochemical Regulation of Cell Function
Prerequisites:
Enrolment in Major(s) MJD-BCNDM Biochemistry of Nutrition
or
Major(s) MJD-MLSDM Molecular Life Sciences
or
Major(s) MJD-BCHMB Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Successful completion of two Unit(s) SCIE1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell and Unit(s) BIOC1001 Introductory Cellular Biochemistry
or
Unit(s) CHEM1002 Chemistry—Structure and Reactivity
Co-requisites:
Successful completion of
Or
Enrolment in One Unit(s) SCIE1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell
Incompatibility:
Unit(s) BIOC2202 Biochemical Regulation of Cell Function
S1 PHYL2001 Physiology of Human Body Systems
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of ATAR Subject(s) Chemistry
or
Unit(s) CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil
S2 PHYL2002 Physiology of Cells
Prerequisites:
Nil
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil

Level 3

Degree-specific major units
Take all units (48 points):
Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 BIOC3001 Molecular Biology
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of two Unit(s) BIOC2001 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell and Unit(s) BIOC2002 Biochemical Regulation of Cell Function
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil
S2 BIOC3003 Omics—Global Approaches to Cell Function
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of two Unit(s) BIOC2001 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell and Unit(s) BIOC2002 Biochemical Regulation of Cell Function
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil
N/A BIOC3004 Nutritional Biochemistry
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of one Unit(s) BIOC2001 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell
or
Unit(s) BIOC2002 Biochemical Regulation of Cell Function
or
Unit(s) PHYL2001 Physiology of Human Body Systems and Successful completion of one Unit(s) PHYL2002 Physiology of Cells
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil
S2 BIOC3005 Cellular Biochemistry
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of two Unit(s) BIOC2001 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell and Unit(s) BIOC2002 Biochemical Regulation of Cell Function
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil
S1 PHYL3001 Physiology of Membranes, Muscles and Signalling
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of one Unit(s) PHYL2002 Physiology of Cells
or
Successful completion of one Unit(s) PHYL2001 Physiology of Human Body Systems and three Unit(s) ANHB2212 Human Structure and Development
or
BIOC2201 Biochemistry of the Cell
or
MICR2209 Introduction to Infectious Diseases and Immunology
or
PHAR2210 Foundations of Pharmacology
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil
S1 PHYL3002 Physiology of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of one Unit(s) PHYL2001 Physiology of Human Body Systems
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil
S2 PHYL3003 Physiology of Nutrition and Metabolism
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of one Unit(s) PHYL2001 Physiology of Human Body Systems (ID 160) and 96 points in your chosen degree
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil
S2 PHYL3004 Physiology of Integrated Organ Function
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of Unit(s) PHYL2001 Physiology of Human Body Systems and ( PHYL2002 Physiology of Cells
or
PHYL3002 Physiology of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems )
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil

Choosing your degree-specific major

General degrees

You must satisfy the requirements of a degree-specific major before you complete your course. The flexible structure of an undergraduate course allows you to try out a number of different subjects to see what interests you before nominating your degree-specific major. You have the choice to either nominate your degree-specific major when you first enrol in the course or delay nominating it until your second year.

To plan the first year of your study without nominating a degree-specific major, you are advised to choose units that will pave the way to two or more degree-specific majors that are of interest to you. For examples of the choice of units available in first year, search the first-year study plans .

To fully understand the structure of an undergraduate course, read the course structure information and the Undergraduate Degree Course Rules.

The following example illustrates how the Biochemistry of Nutrition degree-specific major can be included in the Bachelor of Science course.

Example Study Plan

There are more choices open to you. For more examples, search the study plans .

Specialised degrees – Bachelor of Advanced Computer Science (Honours), Bachelor of Automation and Robotics, Bachelor of Environmental Design, Bachelor of Music

You must satisfy the requirements of the degree-specific major in your degree before you complete your course.

Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics

This comprehensive degree does not allow you to choose a double major.