NUT1101 Science foundations
Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
NUT1101 Science foundations is a level 1, 12-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, offered in 2025 in Semester 1 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites and unlocks 4 units, leading on to 17 units in all.
- Credit points
- 12
- Offered in 2025
- Semester 1
- Clayton
- Assessment
- Exam 55%
- and 2 other tasks
This is the 2025 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before NUT1101
Corequisites
Pass these before, or take them in the same semester.
After NUT1101
4 units list NUT1101 as a prerequisite or corequisite.
Enrolment rules
Corequisite: Must be enrolled in Bachelor of Nutrition Science
Overview
This unit focuses on developing fundamental scientific knowledge as the basis for nutrition science. This unit introduces you to the chemistry of organic molecules expanding to incorporate the biochemical pathways relevant to nutrient metabolism.
Protein, fat, carbohydrate and alcohol metabolism are covered in detail laying the foundation for a detailed understanding of energy metabolism in humans.
The unit concludes with the introduction of other molecules of life (DNA and RNA) and describes the processes of genetic inheritance, mitosis, meiosis and gene transcription and the importance of gene nutrient interactions in human health. Student centered teaching and learning methods will be used to support the delivery of the unit content.
Students' participation as adult learners will be encouraged through the curricula with emphasis on the development of basic scientific communication skills.
Offerings in 2025
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- Laboratory practical assessments (6 x practical sessions with approx. 500 word reports)Written30%
- Scientific poster - group presentation (10 mins presentation and poster submission)Artefact15%
- Mid-semester testExamination20%
- Final examination (2 hours and 10 minutes)ExaminationCompetency hurdle35%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Explain and apply concepts from basic sciences relevant to human nutrition and dietetics, including chemistry, molecular biology, and biochemistry
- 2
Describe the chemistry of atoms and molecules
- 3
Explain how atoms and molecules interact in chemical reactions and calculate chemical equations (stoichiometry)
- 4
Describe the chemical and biochemical aspects of biological molecules
- 5
Classify the main features of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells (including membranes, organelles and enzymes), and correlate their structures with biological functions
- 6
Explain the aspects of cellular macronutrient and alcohol metabolism in terms of dietary input and energy release.
- 7
Explain mechanisms of genetic inheritance and the factors that govern the flow of information from DNA to RNA to protein
- 8
Demonstrate basic knowledge and skill in laboratory experimentation and in the reporting and collation of experimental data
Workload and teaching
- Seminars48 hours
- Workshops48 hours
- Practical activities18 hours
- Teaching approachActive learning
11 hours contact per week plus 13 hours self directed study.
2 x 2 hours seminars, 2 x 2 hours workshop and 1 x 3 hours practical.
For full details of the teaching approach to this unit, please refer to Moodle.
Learning resources
Required resources
See Moodle for details about required resources.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Nicole Kellow
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Michael Houghton
- Dr Nicole Kellow
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for NUT1101?
None, but you must take NUT1001 or NUT1010 before or alongside it.
What can I take after NUT1101?
NUT1101 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 4 units, including NUT1001, NUT1102, NUT1103 and NUT2103. Those lead on to 17 units in all.
When is NUT1101 offered?
In 2025, NUT1101 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton.
Does NUT1101 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 55% of the final mark, alongside 3 other tasks.