MEDSCI 315 : Nutrition, Diet and Gene Interactions
Medical and Health Sciences
2023 Semester One (1233) (15 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 1: | Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 2: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 3: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 4: | Communication and Engagement |
| Capability 5: | Independence and Integrity |
Learning Outcomes
- Critically evaluate scientific literature in the field of diet and genetic interactions (Capability 1, 2 and 5)
- Describe the role of genetics, epigenetics, and potential environmental interactions, in the development and treatment of common diseases and medical conditions including obesity, type 2 diabetes and Crohn's disease (Capability 1, 2 and 4)
- Discuss the role of the microbiome in determining the response to a dietary intervention (Capability 1, 2 and 3)
- Evaluate and apply different study designs used in investigating gene-diet interactions (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 4)
- Demonstrate an understanding and application of different 'omics' technologies used in gene-diet interaction research (Capability 1, 2 and 4)
- Understand the differences in individual responses to dietary intake and how this may relate to the perception of flavor (Capability 1 and 2)
- Identify, explain and evaluate the risk and benefits of dietary supplements on bone health (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 4)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Assignments | 10% | Individual Coursework |
| Presentation | 10% | Group Coursework |
| Laboratories | 20% | Individual Coursework |
| Test | 15% | Individual Test |
| Final Exam | 45% | Individual Examination |
| 5 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | ||||
| Assignments | ||||||||||
| Presentation | ||||||||||
| Laboratories | ||||||||||
| Test | ||||||||||
| Final Exam | ||||||||||
Workload Expectations
This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.
For this course, you can expect 3 hours of lectures, tutorials or flip-class rooms per week, 2 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 4 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation. You will also be expected to attend 4 laboratory sessions of 2-3 h during the semester.
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience
Attendance is required at scheduled activities including labs/tutorials to receive credit for components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including seminars will be available as recordings but in person attendance is recommended.
The course will not include live online events.
Attendance on campus is required/not required for the tests and exam.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.
Learning Resources
Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).
Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
PowerPoint files and audio used for delivery of the lecture will be available through CANVAS. Reading material will be available through CANVAS.
Student Feedback
At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.
Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.
Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.
Feedback from class representatives and course evaluations will be used to evaluate and enhance the course delivery and/or content.
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.
Class Representatives
Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.
Inclusive Learning
All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.
Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz
Special Circumstances
If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.
If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.
This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.
Learning Continuity
In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.
The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.
Student Charter and Responsibilities
The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.
Disclaimer
Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.
In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.