Units / NUT2103
NUT2103 · Advanced nutritional physiology and immunology
2026 Handbook12 credit pointsLevel 2Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food
Last checked: 23 Aug 2026 UTCOverview
The unit takes a systems approach to understanding the human body and integrates knowledge from human biology, anatomy, physiology and basic cell biology to achieve an understanding of bodily functions. It will give you an understanding of the detailed workings of vital body systems, acting separately and together to ensure the integrated function of the body as a whole. There will be a particular focus on the immune system in this unit and the area of pharmacology will be introduced owing to interactions with nutrition and physiological processes. This unit complements the unit NUT2104 (Nutritional Biochemistry)
Offerings
| Campus | Teaching period | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Clayton | Second semester | Teaching activities are on-campus (ON-CAMPUS) |
Assessment
The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.
| # | Assessment | Type | Weight | Hurdle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Written Report (1000 words) | Written | 10% | — |
| 2 | In-Class Quizzes; Practicals and Workshops | Quiz / Test | 35% | — |
| 3 | Presentations (Group assessments; Infographic (10%); Recorded Pitch, 5 min (10%)) | Presentation | 20% | — |
| 4 | Immunology, body systems and nutrition enquiry (Part A: Max 1,500 words Part B: 10 mins) | Project | 35% | — |
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Requisites
Learning outcomes
- Investigate and explain the structure and function of the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, respiratory, circadian, immune, urinary, skeletal and muscular systems to nutrition, health and disease.
- Describe the organisation of the human nervous system and differentiate between the roles of the peripheral and central nervous system in normal physiological functioning.
- Explain the physiological and biochemical processes associated with the digestion and metabolism of food.
- Explain neuroendocrine control within the body.
- Discuss the role of innate and acquired immunity in health and disease.
- Describe the pharmacokinetics of common drugs, their distribution and metabolism in the body and their interaction with nutrients.
- Evaluate current evidence to describe the integration of physiological systems and processes within significant nutrition issues relating to health and disease.
- Interpret physiological data generated in the laboratory and demonstrate skills in the reporting of laboratory experiments.
Workload
2 x 2 hours online lectures 2 x 2 hours workshops on campus 1 x 3 hours practical on campus 13 hours self-directed study and assessment Total hours: 24 hours per week
| Activity | Duration |
|---|---|
| Workshops | 64 hours |
| Lectures | 24 hours |
| Practical activities | 12 hours |
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