FB3NGLA-Genes, Lifestyle and Nutrition

Module Provider: Food and Nutritional Sciences
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: Pre-requisites: FB3NGL and FB3NGLA are mutually exclusive
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Vimal Karani
Email: v.karani@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Aims:
To provide students with an understanding of topical issues in nutritional sciences which have made major advancements over the decade including the areas of genetic and nutritional epidemiology, gene discovery methods, molecular basis of metabolic diseases, gene-diet and gene-physical activity interactions, epigenetics, foetal origin of adult disease and personalised nutrition.

Assessable learning outcomes:

On completion of the module the student should: 

• Understand the basics of molecular genetics and genetic epidemiology of multifactorial diseases.


• Have developed an understanding of the impact of lifestyle factors, in particular diet, on the association between genotype and disease.


• Understand the concepts of the contribution of foetal nutrition to later disease development.


• Have developed an understanding of the concept of personalised nutrition

Additional outcomes:
Development of a number of key skills such as critical evaluation, use of on-line databases, presentation and writing skills

Outline content:
A range of topics are covered including: Introduction to gene structure and regulation and chronic diseases, epigenetics, gene-lifestyle interactions £ diet and physical activity, diet-genotype interactions- complex traits such as diabetes, obesity and CVDs, Diet genotype interactions- cancer, foetal origin of adult disease and personalised Nutrition.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module will be primarily taught as informal small group interactive lectures given by academics who have active research groups in the area. There will be non-lab based practical sessions where students will get the opportunity to learn the statistical methodologies involved in testing gene-diet interactions using the available statistical software. The course work on critical appraisal of the research article will be conducted in the summer term.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		10
Practicals classes and workshops		20
Guided independent study:		70
Total hours by term	0	100	0
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	60
Practical skills assessment	40

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

• Spring term: Non-lab based practical test on Statistical Genetics (via Blackboard). Submission Deadline: End of Spring Term. Submission Deadline(s): End of Spring Term

Final exam will be a course work on ‘Critical appraisal of a research article’. Submission Deadline(s): End of Summer Term

Formative assessment methods:

Class test at the end of each non-lab based practical session.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

Pass mark for the module is 40% 

Reassessment arrangements:

Written examination during the University re-examination period in August. 

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
1) Required text books:
2) Specialist equipment or materials:
3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:
4) Printing and binding:
5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:
6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:

Last updated: 8 April 2021