Experience your own metabolism! You eat, drink, exercise and sleep. Without noticing, your body adapts to these situations changing your metabolism and adapting to different energy requirements. In this course we cover the metabolism of the major nutrients, carbohydrates, fats and amino acids. The lectures discuss the metabolism of these nutrients for the generation of energy and the generation of building blocks. Finally an integrated view of metabolism is discussed in particular with respect to the feeding-fasting cycle.

Embedded are lectures that introduce principles of protein structure, enzyme function and regulation, and principles of energy metabolism.

In the practical course you will experience how we detect and analyse nutrients and their metabolism.

Honours pathway option (HPO) - Plant metabolic engineering and breeding for human health

Students who take this option will participate in two learning workshops and will be required to prepare a literature review or prepare a journal club presentation on the topic of "plant metabolic engineering and breeding for human health".

Entry to this option will be subject to approval by the course convener and is based on academic merit.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Describe the major metabolic pathways involved in the metabolism of nutrients in the human body.
2. Apply biochemical principles in relation to the effects that human diet has on our metabolism.
3. Apply important chemical concepts and principles to draw conclusions concerning the basis of reactivity of biologically relevant molecules and their interactions.
4. Analyse and evaluate experimental data.

Research-Led Teaching

The course comprises several sessions where current research methods and research topics are discussed.

Examination Material or equipment

Double-sided page of hand written notes

Required Resources

Online Textbook Biochemistry & Nutrition

Recommended Resources

As posted on the course Canvas site.

Other requirements:

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Other Information

This course offers an HPO - Assessment task 4

Opt-in Workshop - Plant metabolic engineering for human health

The workshop is an opt-in activity for PhB, HPO and capacity permitting other well-performing students.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Understand and describe the roles of plant metabolic engineering for the improvement of human health.
2. Understand and describe the methodology used to metabolic engineering plants.
3. Read and interpret a scientific manuscript and present the findings of that work to an audience of your peers

The workshop assessment takes the form of journal club presentation. PhB students may select the workshop as an ASE. ASE students will be required to complete an additional assessment item in the form of a written Research Proposal.

Student will receive written and verbal feedback.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	2 x 1 hour lecture	Quiz 1 - open
2	2 x 1 hour lecture 1 x 1 hour tutorial 1 x 3 hour practical (Group A, B)
3	2 x 1 hour lecture 1 x 1 hour tutorial 1 x 3 hour practical (Group C)	Lab report due (A,B) Quiz 1 - close Quiz 2 - open
4	2 x 1 hour lecture 1 x 1 hour tutorial 1 x 3 hour practical (Group A, B)	Lab report due (C)
5	2 x 1 hour lecture 1 x 1 hour tutorial 1 x 3 hour practical (Group C)	Lab report due (A,B) Quiz 2 - close Quiz 3 - open
6	2 x 1 hour lecture	Lab report due (C)
7	2 x 1 hour lecture 1 x 3 hour practical (Group A, B)	Quiz 3 - close Quiz 4 - open
8	2 x 1 hour lecture 1 x 1 hour tutorial 1 x 3 hour practical (Group C)	Lab report due (A,B)
9	2 x 1 hour lecture 1 x 1 hour tutorial 1 x 3 hour practical (Group A, B)	Lab report due (C) Quiz 4 - close Quiz 5 - open
10	2 x 1 hour lecture 1 x 1 hour tutorial 1 x 3 hour practical (Group C)	Lab report due (A,B)
11	2 x 1 hour lecture	Lab report due (C) Quiz 5 - close
12	2 x 1 hour lecture 1 x 1 hour tutorial

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Lab Report 1-4	25 %	*	*	1,2,3,4
Quizzes (5)	25 %	*	*	1,2,3,4
End of Semester Exam	50 %	04/06/2026	02/07/2026	1,2,3,4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Canvas’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

To ensure a passing grade (or better), students are required to pass both theory and laboratory components of the course.

Laboratory attendance rule

The laboratory component of this course is compulsory. Students will attend all laboratory classes scheduled. Absences must be notified (in advance, if possible) to the course convenor, and accompanied by adequate and appropriate documentation justifying the absence.

• Laboratory classes (3 hr sessions) will run for most weeks of the semester, beginning in the second week. Students are required to attend 4 labs in total.
• The submission of all laboratory reports is compulsory. Please see late submission box for advise regarding penalty for late submission.
• A schedule of experiments will be displayed on the CANVAS site.

Assessment Task 1

Lab Report 1-4

There are 4 reports. Each report is valued at 5% (20% total). Prior to the labs students will complete a pre-lab test to ensure they are ready for the labs. Each pre-lab is worth 1.25% (5% total).

It is intended that the marked reports will be returned 1 week after submission. Further details can be found on the Canvas course site.

This report is written on a template and reports results of the experiment and should provide answers to questions.

Report 1

Due: One week after the lab

Returned: One week after submission of group C reports

Report 2

Due: One week after the lab

Returned: One week after submission of group C reports

Report 3

Due: One week after the lab

Returned: One week after submission of group C reports

Report 4

Due: One week after the lab

Returned: One week after submission of group C reports

Assessment Task 2

Quizzes (5)

Online Quiz with ~10 questions to be answered by multiple choice and brief statements. Each test is valued at 5% (25% total)

There are 5 Quizzes due over the semester. The quizzes will be open for at least two weeks and will be based on material taught during that period with the close date 5 days after the final content lecture.

It is intended that the marked quizzes will be returned 1 week after submission. Further details concerning the open and close dates of the quizzes can be found on the Course Canvas site.

Assessment Task 3

End of Semester Exam

Final Exam (in person) as scheduled.

The date range in the Assessment Summary indicates the start of the end of semester exam period and the date official end of semester results are released on ANUHub.

Please check the ANU final Examination Timetable https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/examination-timetable  to confirm the date, time and location exam.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded. This applies to quizzes
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations. This applies to the Lab reports.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Accessibility for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students