Aims

The aim of this module is to provide students with the knowledge of the biochemistry that underpins health, exercise and nutrition. The module aims to deepen your knowledge of the important roles enzymes, hormones and chemical reactions play in the regulation of metabolism and considers multiple metabolic and biochemical pathways involved in the process of energy turnover and storage, metabolic signals/pathways involved in adaptation, and the interaction of macro/micro nutrients with these systems.

Outline Of Syllabus

The syllabus will cover the following topics:

• The metabolism of carbohydrate, fat and protein

• Cellular respiration and the metabolic pathways activated at rest and during exercise

• Enzyme function and hormonal coordination of anabolic and catabolic processes for the control of energy turnover.

• Bioenergetics of high intensity and endurance exercise

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The module will use a problem-based learning approach as core delivery. In seminars, students will develop learning questions based on case studies. Self-directed study is needed to answer their learning questions. This teaching method encourages a flipped classroom approach, where students develop their own learning content, shown to stimulate active learning. Lectures and provided reading will be used by students as learning sources to answer learning questions. Online quizzes will assist the students in capitalizing their knowledge. The practical will build further on (NUT) or introduce (SES/JtPSY) basic laboratory skills, in line with intended skills outcomes. Defined hours for reflective learning will promote the student to evaluate their learning so far and identify weaknesses that need to be followed up by further reading. Time has also been specified for assessment preparation to indicate to students how much time is expected to be dedicated to this task.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Foundation knowledge will be assessed through an MCQ exam and short answer questions. The need for understanding the underpinning biochemistry for various exercise types and nutrition provides the foundations for all other physiological related topics in the degree programme. This understanding is most appropriately assessed via MCQ exam. Example examination questions embedded into the online quiz series will give students immediate feedback about their understanding of the material and provide familiarity with the content and format of the final written examination.

The Lab Report will assist in consolidating the basic laboratory skills learned during the practical and will provide an opportunity for reflective learning and hands on exercises using software to analyse data.


MDiet candidates must obtain an overall mark of 40 or above to pass the module, however, if the module has more than one assessment students must also achieve a mark of at least 35 in each component of the assessment to pass the module.

Students studying on BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Sciences must submit all module assessment components and obtain an overall mark of 40 or above to pass the module – see the programme regulations and handbook for further detail.