Biochemistry (Level 4) Bioscience Entry Module

Entry Requirements:

Chemistry ‘A’ level (or equivalent) or completion of Chemistry (Level 3) Bioscience Entry Module

Aims:

Understanding how nutrients work at a cellular level is fundamental for safe and effective Personalised Nutrition. This module aims to establish understanding of the function of cell organelles with particular reference to protein synthesis, transcription and translation. Additionally, this module aims to develop the student’s ability to relate structural and chemical features of macromolecules with their function in living systems and in particular the importance of vitamins and minerals as cofactors, in enzyme function of major metabolic pathways

Syllabus:

  1. Introduction to module and the scientific method
  2. Review of chemistry, principles of biochemistry and how it underpins nutritional therapy
  3. Important factors in biochemistry: isomers and stereochemistry; bonding in biological systems; biochemistry – structures and process; eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell structure
  4. Transport of nutrients: passive, facilitated and active transport, cotransport; Na+/K+pump
  5. Metabolism and energy production: anabolism; catabolism and energy use; glycolysis; Krebs cycle; vitamins and minerals in metabolic systems; vitamins; history and definition; specific roles of vitamins; antioxidants and their role in metabolism
  6. Proteins; ionic properties of amino acids; structure of amino acids; peptide bonds; functions of proteins; enzymes; theories of enzyme activity; symptoms of amino acid depletion
  7. Carbohydrates; structure and stereochemistry; glycosidic bonds; monosaccharides; disaccharides; polysaccharides; functions of saccharides
  8. Lipids; fatty acid and lipid structure; saturated and unsaturated fats; cis and trans fats; membrane lipids; biological importance of lipids; nucleic acids
  9. DNA and RNA; nucleic acid structure; chromosomes and genes; transcription; translation; protein synthesis; modification of these processes in biological systems
  10. Minerals; physiological concepts: calcium metabolism and blood clotting
  11. Biochemistry of starvation; metabolic changes; fasting; diabetes

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of the module, the successful student will be able to:

  1. Describe one of the nutrient groups of macromolecules including structure chemical features, labelled diagrams and linking structure and features identified to function within living systems.
  2. Demonstrate understanding of the enzymes involved in the conversion of macromolecules into the production of energy and the cofactors, on which they depend
  3. Demonstrate understanding of the involvement of nutrients and food constituents in major metabolic pathways
  4. Explain the processes of transport of nutrients across membrane barriers and the intra and extra-cellular regulation of electrolytes
  5. Explain calcium metabolism and blood clotting
  6. Demonstrate understanding of the protein synthesis
  7. Write in an appropriate and effective scientific style, citing references accurately in the text and providing a reference list.

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a: Centre for Nutrition Education & Lifestyle Management (CNELM) | PO Box 3739 | Wokingham | Berkshire | RG40 9UA

CNELM is a collaborative partner of Middlesex University (MDX). The undergraduate and postgraduate courses we teach are validated and  quality  assured by MDX. You will receive an MDX award on successful completion and be invited to attend a graduation ceremony at their campus.

The NTEC accredits courses for nutritional therapy. The BSc (Hons) Nutritional Science and the MSc/PG Dip in Personalised Nutrition combined with CNELM’s Personalised Nutrition Practice Diploma (PNPD) are accredited by NTEC.

The CNHC is the voluntary regulator for complementary therapists including Nutritional Therapists. Following successful completion of one of our accredited routes to nutritional therapy practice you will be eligible to apply to register with CNHC as a Nutritional Therapist.

BANT is a professional body for Nutritional Therapists that have completed NTEC accredited courses, or have demonstrated having met the NTEC Core Curriculum and National Occupational Standards set by Skills for Health for nutritional therapy. Practitioner members of BANT are required to register with the CNHC.


The Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT) has accredited CNELM’s Dietary Educator Certificate. On successful completion of this course you will be eligible to apply to register as a Dietary Educator with the FHT.

Students that meet verification standards for the ‘NLP Practitioner Certificate’ can apply to register with the Association for Neurolinguistic Programming ANLP.

Students registered with Qualifi that meet the outcomes of the Personalised Nutrition Practice Diploma (PNPD) Course assessed up to Level 6 will receive a Qualifi Endorsed Certificate. Qualifi is a recognised UK awarding organisation regulated in England by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual).