Course

Topics in Human Nutrition

Faculty
Science & Technology
Department
Sport Science
Course code
SPSC 1192
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15 weeks
Max class size
35
Method(s) of instruction
Online
Hybrid
Lecture
Course designation
None
Industry designation
None
Typically offered
To be determined

Overview

Course description
This course will provide students with knowledge of the basic principles of human nutrition with respect to essential food intake. The effect of the nutritional value of foods on human physiology will be covered. An assessment of personal nutritional needs and those of various populations will be investigated.
Course content
  • Scientific method in nutrition
    • Scientific literature
    • Peer-reviewed databases
    • Citing and referencing
  • Digestion and absorption
    • Anatomy and physiology of the digestive system and supporting organs
    • Digestion of different macronutrients
  • Macronutrients and water
    • Water and electrolytes
    • Carbohydrates
    • Lipids
    • Protein
    • Alcohol
  • Energy metabolism
    • Storage and balance of energy
    • Macronutient metabolism 
    • Health implications
  • Micronutrients
    • The role of each vitamin and mineral in human nutrition
    • Sources of each vitamin and mineral in food
    • Consequences of deficiencies and toxicities
  • Nutritional value of foods
  • Effects of various processing and preparation techniques
  • Nutrition needs, issues and research trends
    • Dietary fads and implications
    • Diet and physical health
    • Physical activity and performance nutrition
    • Nutritional needs of specific populations
Learning activities

In this course, students engage in a variety of learning activities such as lecture, discussions, practical application, and presentations.

 

 

Means of assessment

Assessment will be in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester. Evaluation will be based on the following:

Term Tests 0-40 %
Case studies 10-25%
Assignment(s) 15-40%
Quiz(zes) 0-20%
Participations 0-10%
Final Exam 15-30%
Total 100%
Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • describe nutritional principles with regard to the major nutrient classes and their effects on human physiology;
  • recall the nutritional value of many of the different foods available;
  • describe the effects of various processing and preparation techniques on nutritional value;
  • analyze current, and often controversial, nutrition needs, issues and research trends;
  • assess their own eating habits and critically assess their own nutrient requirements;
  • explain how nutrition supports physical activity and performance.
Textbook materials

Consult the Douglas College Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials. Example textbooks and materials may include:

Hamm, K. (current version). Human Nutrition in a Canadian Context. OER Commons. 

Requisites

Prerequisites

No prerequisite courses.

Corequisites

No corequisite courses.

Equivalencies

No equivalent courses.

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca

Institution Transfer details for SPSC 1192
Alexander College (ALEX) ALEX SCIE 1XX (3)
Camosun College (CAMO) CAMO CHEM 214 (3)
Capilano University (CAPU) CAPU KINE 112 (3)
Coast Mountain College (CMTN) CMTN BIOL 1XX (3)
College of New Caledonia (CNC) CNC KINS 260 (3)
College of the Rockies (COTR) COTR KNES 205 (3)
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) KPU HSCI 1XXX (3)
Langara College (LANG) LANG NUTR 1100 (3)
Okanagan College (OC) OC HKIN 111 (3)
Simon Fraser University (SFU) SFU BPK 110 (3)
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) TRU PHED 1XXX (3)
Trinity Western University (TWU) TWU HKIN 1XX (3)
University of British Columbia - Okanagan (UBCO) UBCO HES_O 200 (3)
University of British Columbia - Vancouver (UBCV) UBCV KIN_V 232 (3)
University of Northern BC (UNBC) No credit
University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) UFV KIN 260 (3)
University of Victoria (UVIC) UVIC EPHE 1XX (1.5)
Vancouver Community College (VCC) VCC UNSP 1XXX (3)
Vancouver Island University (VIU) VIU KIN 253 (3)

Course Offerings

Summer 2025

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
35
Currently enrolled
34
Remaining seats:
1
On waitlist
88
Building
Online
Room
ONLINE
Times:
-
Section notes

SPSC 1192 090-This course is delivered in a semi-condensed, online asynchronous format via Blackboard.