About this course

This course is an introduction to nutrition constituting a platform enabling the student to specialize in both animal and aquacultural nutrition. It also include basics within human nutrition. The course is broad in this sense, and may be divided into 5 sub-topics:

1) Feed, food, nutrients and analyses, 2) Digestive tract, digestion and absorption, 3) Appetite regulation and intermediary turnover, 4) Energy and protein value, and 5) specialization in animal or aquaculture nutrition.

Learning outcome

Main aims: To acquire fundamental knowledge of the macro and micro nutrients, their chemical structure, characteristics, nutrient value, digestion and main functions in the body. The student will also acquire fundamental knowledge of feed types, main feed sources and principles for their evaluation.

Partial aims: After finishing the course the students should be able to explain structure, classification and properties of the main nutrients, and why it is important to understand the composition of the feed. In addition, the students should be able to explain digestion and absorption of the main nutrients, the minerals and the vitamins, in addition to intermiediary metabolism of substrates from the digestion process, characteristics of the digestive tract, and principles for evaluation of ingrediens and rations/diet regimes.

  • Learning activities

    Teaching will be performed in two different ways: 1. Lectures summarizing and complementing the course literature. and 2. Assignments in groups and individually. All students will participate in common lectures two-thirds of the time, but will then be divided according to whether they are in the area of farm animals or aquaculture, where species-specific topics will be covered.

  • Teaching support

    Group work with the teacher or teaching assistants where the time is fully dedicated to the questions from the students. Teachers will be available via e-mail or Canvas during assignment solving.

  • Syllabus

    Textbook: McDonald, P., Edvards, R. A., Greenhalgh, J. F. D. and C. A. Morgan 2002. Animal Nutrition. 6. ED. Chapters 1-6, 8-17. NMBU Bookstore. Additional literature: Notes from lectures and exercises.

  • Prerequisites

    Physiology (HFX201) or equivalent

  • Recommended prerequisites

    Biochemistry

  • Assessment method

    3-hour final written exam counts for 100%

    One written exam Karakterregel: Letter grades Hjelpemiddelkode: A1 No calculator, no other aids

  • About use of AI

    AI is permitted in connection with learning. If used, it must be used and disclosed in accordance NMBU guidelines. AI cannot be used at exams.

    Descriptions of AI-category codes.

  • Examiner scheme

    Yes

  • Mandatory activity

    Multiple-choice tests in Canvas before the exam.

  • Notes

    The course literature is in English (see below). Lectures and exercises usually will be in Norwegian.

  • Teaching hours

    Structured teaching time will be roughly divided as follows: Lectures: 4 hours per week (total 50 hours). Group tutorials/seminar: 2 hours per week (total 22 hours).

  • Admission requirements

    Special requirements in Science