Understanding human nutrition
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| End-of-course assessment | No residential school |
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This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees may vary by country.
Summary
Are we really what we eat? What is the link between food and our health and well-being? Understanding human nutrition is one of a series of short, flexible 10-point courses introducing fascinating topics in science. Try out a new area of study before you commit yourself to a longer course, or top up your knowledge and skills between longer courses. This course has a choice of start dates, and you decide how long to take over your studies: eight to ten weeks, or up to five months.
Course content
This course will provide a useful background for you if you are interested in your own and your family’s diet, or if you are involved in the nutrition and health of others, e.g. in schools, hospitals or residential care. It will provide you with information about the components of the human diet, and how food is processed in the body and will enable you to apply this information to understand the links between nutrition and health for people of all ages and a range of lifestyles.
After an introduction to nutrition and food, the course deals with the chemistry of the main nutrient types – proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals – and their importance in diet, and energy intake and output. The final part of the course applies this knowledge to the diet of different groups such as children, adults, and the elderly, and makes links between diet and health issues such as exercise, heart disease and cancer.
The course is based on two books: a specially written study book and an abridged OU edition of Parts One and Three of Human Nutrition by Mary E. Barasi. The study book provides the background science and guides you through the chapters of the course book with interesting questions and activities to help your understanding and to develop scientific and study skills.
This course has been endorsed by the British Dietetic Association. Note, however, that successful completion of the course does not entitle you to any professional dietetic award, nor does it indicate your competence to practise as a dietitian.
Entry
This is one of the science short courses that has extra advice on study skills, so it is particularly suitable for students new to distance learning. Although the course does not assume any previous scientific background, during it you will be introduced to the chemical structure of some of the molecules in food so a basic knowledge of chemistry would be useful, as would some basic biology. However, for much of the course you need little more than an interest in nutrition and the motivation to understand more of the science behind it.
To cope with the printed material you should be able to understand in outline the sort of articles printed in ‘quality’ newspapers, and you should be able to write your thoughts down comprehensibly. Mathematically you need only to be able to add, subtract, multiply and divide simple numbers. A maths skills ebook is provided to help you with, for example, fractions, percentages, reading graphs and tables, and scientific units as required by the course.
You can check that you have the appropriate background by trying out the interactive quiz Are you ready for science study?
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Qualifications
SK183 is a optional course in our:
- BSc (Honours) Life Sciences (B28)
- BSc (Honours) Molecular Science (B26)
- BA/BSc (Honours) Health Studies (B17)
- Certificate in Contemporary Science (C70)
- Certificate in Health Sciences (C78)
- Certificate of Higher Education in Social Sciences (C95)
- Diploma of Higher Education in Health Sciences (E49)
- Diploma of Higher Education in Social Sciences (E50)
- Diploma of Higher Education in Paramedic Sciences (E52)
- Diploma of Higher Education in Analytical Sciences (E53)
- Diploma of Higher Education in Operating Department Practice (E58)
- Foundation Degree in Paramedic Sciences (G11)
- Foundation Degree in Health Sciences (G12)
- Foundation Degree in Analytical Sciences (G15)
- Foundation Degree in Operating Department Practice (G19)
It can also count as 10 points towards an Open University bachelors degree, and would be particularly suitable for inclusion in one of the BSc (Hons) natural sciences degrees alongside other 10-point science courses.
We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this course can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
Some of the printed course materials are available in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). Components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and mathematical, scientific, and foreign language materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. Large print versions of the course material can be provided on request. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our booklet Meeting your needs which you can download or request from our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
You can also find information about accessible course materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Course materials
What's included
Two books (the study book and Human Nutrition, Parts One and Three), a study guide, glossary, maths skills ebook, and course website.
You will need
Basic scientific calculator.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new computer since 2002 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual.
Teaching and assessment
Study support
You can telephone or email a study adviser, who will be able to help you with academic questions to do with the course and the assessment. There will also be an online discussion forum that you can use to get in touch with study advisers and other students.
Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You must use the online eTMA system to submit your end-of-course assessment (ECA).
For each course presentation there is a choice of two alternative dates by which you have to submit the single piece of written work for assessment: February course start completes end of April or end of July; May start completes end of July or end of October; September start completes end of October or end of January; November start completes end of January or end of April.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The course starts in February, May, September and November of each year.
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button. For more information and advice about registration see OU Study Explained.
About this page
An undergraduate course in Health and Social Care and Science.
Study explained
- Course
- - a module of study that can count towards a qualification.
- Credit points
- - show how much study is required to complete a course or qualification. One credit point represents roughly 10 hours of study.
- Level
- - indicates how difficult a course is. Undergraduate study starts at Level 1.
- Financial support
- - find out if you qualify for support with your fees with our eligibility checker.
- Study explained
- - all you need to know about studying with the OU.
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