Biochemistry of Nutrition major

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 double 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 double 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, 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 relevant employability skills related to 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 and ATAR Chemistry or equivalent or higher.

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

BP004 Bachelor of Science
BH005 Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)

Overview of unit sequence

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

  • five 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 2021

Note: Units that are indicated as N/A may be available in 2022 or 2023.

Level 1

Degree-specific major units
Take all units (30 points):
Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 ANHB1101 Human Biology I: Becoming Human
S1, S2 CHEM1001 Chemistry—Properties and Energetics
Prerequisites:
Chemistry ATAR
or
WACE Chemistry 3A/3B
or
TEE Chemistry
or
equivalent
or
CHEM1105 Introductory Chemistry
or
CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry
Incompatibility:
CHEM1101 Inorganic and Physical Chemistry, CHEM1104 Biological Inorganic and Physical Chemistry
S2 CHEM1004 Biological Chemistry
Prerequisites:
ATAR Chemistry, WACE Chemistry 3A/3B
or
TEE Chemistry
or
CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry
or
equivalent
S2 SCIE1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell
Prerequisites:
(Human Biology: ATAR
or
equivalent;
or
Biology: ATAR
or
equivalent;
or
ANHB1101 Human Biology I: Becoming Human;
or
ANHB1102 Human Biology II: Being Human;
or
BIOL1130 Frontiers in Biology;
or
IMED1001 Form and Function)
and
(Chemistry: ATAR
or
equivalent
or
CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry)
Incompatibility:
SCIE2225 Molecular Biology passed in
or
before 2004
S1, S2 STAT1400 Statistics for Science
Prerequisites:
Mathematics Applications ATAR
or
MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals
or
equivalent
or
higher
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
Incompatibility:
This unit is not available to students who have a satisfactory performance (scaled score of 50 per cent
or
more) in Chemistry ATAR
or
WACE Chemistry 3A/3B
or
TEE Chemistry,
or
equivalent.
S1, S2 MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals
Prerequisites:
Mathematics Applications ATAR (with a scaled score of less than 50)
or
with permission.
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 .
Incompatibility:
WACE Mathematics: Specialist 3A/3B; MATH1038 Calculus and its Applications; MATH1045 Intermediate Calculus; Mathematics Specialist ATAR; MATH1001 Mathematical Methods 1; MATH1002 Mathematical Methods 2; MATH1011 Multivariable Calculus; MATH1012 Mathematical Theory and Methods;
or
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:
SCIE1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell and (CHEM1004 Biological Chemistry
or
CHEM1002 Chemistry—Structure and Reactivity)
Incompatibility:
BIOC2203 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell, BIOC2201 Biochemistry of the Cell, SCIE2225 Molecular Biology
S2 BIOC2002 Biochemical Regulation of Cell Function
Prerequisites:
SCIE1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell and (CHEM1004 Biological Chemistry
or
CHEM1002 Chemistry—Structure and Reactivity)
Co-requisites:
For students in the Combined Bachelor Masters in Biochemistry of Nutrition
or
Molecular Life Sciences only: SCIE1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell (ID 1019)
Incompatibility:
BIOC2250 Biochemistry, BIOC2202 Biochemical Regulation of Cell Function
S1 PHYL2001 Physiology of Human Body Systems
Prerequisites:
SCIE1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell
or
IMED1002 The Facts of Life
or
((at least one of ANHB1101 Human Biology 1: Becoming Human, ANHB1102 Human Biology II: Being Human,
or
BIOL1130 Frontiers in Biology) and Chemistry ATAR
or
CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry)
Incompatibility:
PHYL2255 Physiology of Human Body Systems
S2 PHYL2002 Physiology of Cells
Incompatibility:
PHYL2245 Physiology of Cells

Level 3

Degree-specific major units
Take all units (48 points):
Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 BIOC3001 Molecular Biology
Prerequisites:
(BIOC2203 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell
or
BIOC2001 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell)
and
(BIOC2202 Biochemical Regulation of Cell Function
or
BIOC2002 Biochemical Regulation of Cell Function)
Incompatibility:
SCIE2225 Molecular Biology passed in
or
before 2004; SCIE3325 Molecular Biology
S2 BIOC3003 Omics—Global Approaches to Cell Function
Prerequisites:
[(BIOC2203 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell
or
BIOC2001 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell)
and
(BIOC2202 Biochemical Regulation of Cell Function
or
BIOC2002 Biochemical Regulation of Cell Function)]
Incompatibility:
BIOC3351 Structural and Functional Biochemistry
N/A BIOC3004 Nutritional Biochemistry
Prerequisites:
BIOC2001 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell, BIOC2002 Biochemical Regulation of Cell Function, PHYL2001 Physiology of Human Body Systems
and
PHYL2002 Physiology of Cells
S2 BIOC3005 Cellular Biochemistry
Prerequisites:
[(BIOC2203 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell
or
BIOC2001 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell)
and
(BIOC2202 Biochemical Regulation of Cell Function
or
BIOC2002 Biochemical Regulation of Cell Function)]
Incompatibility:
BIOC3352 Cellular and Metabolic Biochemistry; PHYL3300 Mammalian Cell Biology
S1 PHYL3001 Physiology of Membranes, Muscles and Signalling
Prerequisites:
PHYL2002 Physiology of Cells
or
PHYL2245 Physiology of Cells
or
(PHYL2001 Physiology of Human Body Systems and three of ANHB2212 Human Structure and Development, BIOC2203 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell, BIOC2001 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell, MICR2209 Introduction to Infectious Diseases and Immunology, PATH2201 Introduction to Human Disease, PHAR2210 Foundations of Pharmacology)
Incompatibility:
PHYL3340 Advanced Cell Physiology
S1 PHYL3002 Physiology of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems
Prerequisites:
PHYL2001 Physiology of Human Body Systems;
for pre-2012 courses: PHYL2255 Physiology of Human Body Systems
or
PHYL2260 Physiology of Adaptation and Stress
Incompatibility:
PHYL3350 Physiological Control Mechanisms
S2 PHYL3003 Physiology of Nutrition and Metabolism
Prerequisites:
96 points
and
PHYL2001 Physiology of Human Body Systems
S2 PHYL3004 Physiology of Integrated Organ Function
Prerequisites:
PHYL2001 Physiology of Human Body Systems
and
PHYL2002 Physiology of Cells)
or
[PHYL2245 Physiology of Cells and (PHYL2255 Physiology of Human Body Systems
or
PHYL2260 Physiology Adaptation and Stress)]
or
(PHYL2001 Physiology of Human Body Systems and three of the following: ANHB2212 Human Structure and Development, BIOC2203 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell, BIOC2001 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell, MICR2209 Introduction to Infectious Diseases and Immunology, PATH2201 Introduction to Human Disease, PHAR2210 Foundations of Pharmacology)
Incompatibility:
PHYL3340 Advanced Cellular Physiology, PHYL3350 Physiological Control Mechanisms

Choosing your degree-specific major

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.

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.

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