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HNUT10030

Academic Year 2025/2026

Physiology for Nutrition (HNUT10030)

Subject:
Human Nutrition
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Agriculture & Food Science
Level:
1 (Introductory)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Sharleen O'Reilly
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module will provide students with an introduction to the fundamentals of human physiology with a special emphasis on the gastrointestinal system. This module will provide the foundational knowledge required in the later study of the control and integration of body systems with nutrition in health and disease states.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

At the completion of this Module, successful students can:
1. Identify and outline the major human body systems and explain how their structure and function
directly impact nutritional needs and nutrient utilisation.
2. Describe and analyse the processes of digestion, absorption, transportation, and storage of
macronutrients.
3. Explain the relationship between different physiological systems in maintaining metabolic homeostasis
and evaluate how disruptions affect nutritional requirements across the lifespan.
4. Apply knowledge of normal physiological function to interpret basic indicators of nutritional status and
predict physiological responses to dietary changes.

Indicative Module Content:

The module will cover: core concepts in physiology including homeostasis, the upper and lower gastrointestinal system, urinary system, endocrine system, nervous system, immune system, cardiovascular system, and respiratory system.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

12

Tutorial

24

Autonomous Student Learning

70

Total

106


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The in-class activities will involve active/task-based learning, peer and group work. There will be weekly recorded lectures in addition to in-class active learning. The assessments will require peer and group work and reflective learning in addition to problem and case based learning.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
DIET20010 - App Clin Nutrit for Healthcare, HNUT40280 - Nutritional Physiology, PHPS20030 - App Clin Nutrit for Healthcare


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (In-person): 2hr OPEN book exam (electronic materials not permitted) End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
40
No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Individual and team readiness tests and team applications in class (10 sets of tests) Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
60
No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback
• Peer review activities
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

AT1 Team Based Learning will provide in-class immediate feedback to students in groups on their understanding of core knowledge and during the test process peer review activities will occur. Automated online feedback will be provided on a mock TBL quiz. Class feedback will be provided through Brightspace on how well teams performed and key areas for revision.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 30, 31, 32, 33 Fri 11:00 - 12:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Mon 13:00 - 13:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 21 Thurs 09:00 - 10:50