Universitat Internacional de Catalunya - BarcelonaNutrition
Main language of instruction: Spanish
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, English
Head instructor
Lda. Silvia BALLESTA - sballesta@uic.es
Office hours
Any queries will be resolved before or after class.
The subject of Nutrition aims to provide students with the scientific foundations of human nutrition and, in particular, to raise awareness of the impact of nutritional alterations on body composition and physiology, both at the cellular and organic levels.
Basic concepts of human nutrition, nutrient availability and body functions, the food pyramid and food composition, nutritional education, nutritional education needs and recommendations at different stages of life as well as intake regulation will be studied. Also, some pathology associated with diet will be covered.
During the teaching process, the student will be expected to achieve the competencies listed in the syllabus.
There are no specific prerequisites, although a basic understanding of physiology, endocrinology, biochemistry, and metabolism is recommended.
The main objectives of the subject of nutrition are:
At the end of the course, the student:
Topic 1: What is nutrition?
Unit 2: Body composition.
Topic 3: Energy needs of the body.
Topic 4: Macronutrients. Carbohydrates.
Topis 5: Macronutrients. Lipids.
Topic 6: Macronutrients. Protein needs.
Topic 7: Organic micro-components of the diet.
Topic 8: Oxidative stress.
Topic 9: Dietary balance.
Topic 10: Assessment of a diet.
Topic 11: Regulation of food intake.
Topic 12: Nutritional regulation of gene expression.
Topic 13: Functional and GM foods.
Topic 14: Food security. Food preservation.
Topic 15: Nutrition in different physiological states. Pregnancy and lactation. Childhood, school age, adolescence and ageing.
Topic 16: Assessment of nutritional status.
Topic 17: Desnutrition.
Topic 18: Pathologies associated with diet.
Topic 19: Food allergies and intolerances.
All classes will be given by the associate lecturer Sílvia Ballesta.
The classes will be taught in Catalan.
Lectures: 50 minutes presentation of a theoretical topic by the teacher.
Case Studies or Case Methods (CM): A Real or Imaginary Situation. Students will work on the questions posed in small groups or with interaction with the teacher, and the answers will be discussed. The teacher is actively involved and, if necessary, provides new knowledge.
Virtual education (VE): Online material that students can consult from any computer, at any time which will contribute to the self-learning of concepts related to the subject.
1) Students in the first sitting:
- Class participation and attitude: 10%
- Resolution of case methods: 30%
- Final exam: 60%
2) Students in the second or subsequent sitting: the mark for participation and attitude in class and case methods will be saved, although, whenever the students wish, they can repeat the attendance in class and obtain a new mark.
General points to bear in mind about the assessment system:
1) In the final exam, it will be necessary to obtain a minimum mark of 4.5 to be able to average with the continuous assessment marks (class participation and attitude, resolution of case methods).
2) The exam will be in the form of a test with 4 answer options, counting +1 for correct answers and -0.25 for errors.
3) 10% of the exam questions could be of concepts that have not been explained directly in the classroom but that appear in the recommended bibliography, as well as in articles discussed, the press or recommended virtual material.
4) Participation in class means the contribution of interesting ideas or pertinent questions that help to improve the quality of the session, be it lecture or case method.
5) Attendance in class:
- Regular attendance at theory classes and case studies is recommended.
- Attendance at lectures is not required but attendees will have to follow the rules indicated by the teachers.
- Attendance at case methods is optional. In order to be evaluated in this part of the course, it is mandatory to attend a minimum of 3 sessions and carry out the activities proposed in the session.
6) Misuse of electronic devices such as cell phones, tablets or laptops can lead to expulsion from the class. Abuse refers to the recording and dissemination of both students and teachers during the different lessons, as well as the use of these devices for recreational and non-educational purposes.