Program Requirements
The Minor Human Nutrition is intended to complement a student's primary field of study by providing a focused introduction to the metabolic aspects of human nutrition. It is particularly accessible to students in Biochemistry, Biology, Physiology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Microbiology and Immunology, Animal Science, or Food Science programs. The completion of 24 credits is required, of which at least 18 must not overlap with the primary program. All courses must be taken in the appropriate sequence and passed with a minimum grade of C. Students may declare their intent to follow the Minor program at the beginning of their U2 year. They must then consult with the academic adviser in the School of Human Nutrition to obtain approval for their course selection. Since some courses may not be offered every year and many have prerequisites, students are cautioned to plan their program in advance.
The Minor program does not carry professional recognition; therefore, it is not suitable for students wishing to become nutritionists or dietitians. However, successful completion may enable students to qualify for many postgraduate nutrition programs.
Note:
Most courses listed at the 300 level and higher have prerequisites. Although instructors may waive prerequisite(s) in some cases, students are urged to prepare their program of study well before their final year.
For information on academic advising, see: http://www.mcgill.ca/macdonald/studentinfo/advising
Required Courses (6 credits)
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NUTR 337 Nutrition Through Life (3 credits)
Overview
Nutrition and Dietetics : Nutrient utilization, requirements and recommended allowances as related to physiological development throughout the life cycle. Physiological, psychological and environmental determinants of eating behaviour.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Iskandar, Michèle (Winter)
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NUTR 450 Research Methods: Human Nutrition (3 credits)
Overview
Nutrition and Dietetics : Introduction to how diverse approaches to nutrition research including international, community, laboratory, clinical, molecular, meta-analyses are necessary to advance the field of nutrition. Emphasis on ethics, scientific method, research process and analysis of results.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Basu, Niladri (Fall)
Complementary Courses (18 credits)
18 credits are selected as follows:
3 credits in Biochemistry, one of:
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ANSC 234 Biochemistry 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : Metabolism in humans and domestic animals. The chemistry of alimentary digestion, absorption, transport, intermediary metabolism and excretion.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Giehl Glanzner, Werner; Martin, Deborah (Winter)
Prerequisite: LSCI 211
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BIOC 311 Metabolic Biochemistry (3 credits)
Overview
Biochemistry : The generation of metabolic energy in higher organisms with an emphasis on its regulation at the molecular, cellular and organ level. Chemical concepts and mechanisms of enzymatic catalysis are also emphasized. Included: selected topics in carbohydrate, lipid and nitrogen metabolism; complex lipids and biological membranes; hormonal signal transduction.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Denis, Maxime; Giguere, Vincent; Gehring, Kalle; Kazak, Lawrence (Fall)
3 credits in Physiology, one of:
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ANSC 323 Mammalian Physiology (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : A study of the organization, functions and regulation of various organ systems in mammals. The nervous, endocrine, muscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, urinary, digestive and reproductive systems are discussed.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Zhao, Xin (Fall)
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PHGY 210 Mammalian Physiology 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Physiology : Physiology of cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine and renal systems.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Vollrath, Melissa; Takano, Tomoko; Lauzon, Anne-Marie; White, John H; Aguer, Céline (Winter)
Winter
3 hours lectures weekly
Prerequisites: BIOL 112, CHEM 110, CHEM 120, PHYS 101 or PHYS 131, and PHYS 102 or PHYS 142. Pre-/co-requisite: BIOL 200, BIOL 201, BIOC 212, CHEM 212 or equivalent.
Restriction: For students in the Faculty of Science, and other students by permission of the instructor
Although PHGY 210 may be taken without the prior passing of PHGY 209, students should note that they may have some initial difficulties because of lack of familiarity with some basic concepts introduced in PHGY 209
3 credits in Nutrition, one of:
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ANSC 433 Animal Nutrition and Metabolism (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : Introduction to fundamental aspects of animal nutrition, including gastrointestinal anatomy and physiology; nutrient digestion, absorption, and metabolism; nutrient functions and requirements of livestock species; evaluation of feedstuffs and their use in ration formulation; and feeding strategies. Laboratory classes will include hands-on experience on feed analyses, gastrointestinal tract dissections, nutritional experiments and demonstrations in livestock species as well as computer-based ration balancing exercises.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Burgos, Sergio (Winter)
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NUTR 307 Metabolism and Human Nutrition (3 credits)
Overview
Nutrition and Dietetics : This course looks at the importance of nutrition from the molecular to the organismal levels in human health and disease. The focus will be on the significance of nutrients in regulating metabolism, and impact of genotype in the metabolism of nutrients.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Wykes, Linda J; Agellon, Luis; Mailloux, Ryan (Fall)
9 credits from:
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ANSC 551 Carbohydrate and Lipid Metabolism (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : Comparative aspects of nutrition and metabolism of carbohydrate and lipid from the cellular level through the multi-organ of the whole organism. Main topics will include biothermodynamics, calorimetry, cellular metabolism and functions of carbohydrate and lipid, digestion, absorption and utilization of dietary carbohydrate and lipid.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Winter
3 lectures
Prerequisite: ANSC 234 or permission of instructor
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ANSC 552 Protein Metabolism and Nutrition (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : Comparative aspects of nutrition and metabolism of amino acids and proteins from the cellular level on through the multisystem operation of the whole organism. Main topics include cellular metabolism and functions of amino acids and proteins, digestion, absorption and utilization of dietary protein. Comparison between farm animals and humans.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Fall
3 lectures
Prerequisite: ANSC 234 or permission of instructor
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MIMM 314 Intermediate Immunology (3 credits)
Overview
Microbiology and Immun (Sci) : An intermediate-level immunology course covering the cellular and molecular basis of lymphocyte development and activation in immune responses in health and disease.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Piccirillo, Ciriaco; King, Irah (Winter)
Winter
3 hours of lecture
Prerequisite: MIMM 214
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NUTR 344 Clinical Nutrition 1 (4 credits)
Overview
Nutrition and Dietetics : Clinical nutrition assessment and dietary modification of pathological conditions including hypertension, lipid disorders and cardiovascular disease, obesity, cancer, COPD, introduction to diabetes, dysphagia.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Chevalier, Stephanie (Winter)
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NUTR 430 Directed Studies: Dietetics and Nutrition 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Nutrition and Dietetics : An individualized course of study in dietetics/human nutrition under the supervision of a staff member with expertise on a topic not otherwise available in a formal course. A written agreement between student and staff member must be made before registration and filed with the Program Coordinator.
Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025
Instructors: Mailloux, Ryan (Fall) Mailloux, Ryan (Winter)
Fall and Winter
**Due to the intensive nature of this course, the standard add/drop and withdrawal deadlines do not apply. Add/drop is the second lecture day and withdrawal is the fifth lecture day.
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NUTR 501 Nutrition in Developing Countries (3 credits)
Overview
Nutrition and Dietetics : This course will cover the major nutritional problems in developing countries. The focus will be on nutrition and health and emphasize young children and other vulnerable groups. The role of diet and disease for each major nutritional problem will be discussed.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Marquis, Grace (Fall)
Fall
2 lectures and one seminar
Prerequisite: For undergraduate students, consent of instructor required
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NUTR 503 Nutrition and Exercise (3 credits)
Overview
Nutrition and Dietetics : Interaction of exercise physiology with nutrient and energy metabolism in healthy adults. Principles of physical training and role of physical activity and exercise in weight management and food intake regulation. Importance of physical activity in childhood, during pregnancy, in healthy adults and in improving functional capacity in the elderly.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Plourde, Hugues; Andersen, Ross (Winter)
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NUTR 505 Public Health Nutrition (3 credits)
Overview
Nutrition and Dietetics : This course focuses on the nutrition status of populations, communities and groups of people using a public health lens. It identifies and assesses human nutrition issues and problems, their causes, influencing factors and social conditions using a social determinants of health framework. Offers opportunities to design and conduct needs assessments, design and plan programs and plan for their evaluation. The purpose and role of participatory approaches with diverse populations and Indigenous populations in particular will be analyzed. Health systems, public health and political influence in Canada, as related to nutrition will be addressed.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Delormier, Treena (Fall)
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NUTR 512 Herbs, Foods and Phytochemicals (3 credits)
Overview
Nutrition and Dietetics : An overview of the use of herbal medicines and food phytochemicals and the benefits and risks of their consumption. The physiological basis for activity and the assessment of toxicity will be presented. Current practices relating to the regulation, commercialization and promotion of herbs and phytochemicals will be considered.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Owen, Patrick (Fall)
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NUTR 551 Analysis of Nutrition Data (3 credits)
Overview
Nutrition and Dietetics : Practical application of theoretical concepts in data analysis covering issues of study design, data collection, database organization, and statistical analysis using SPSS statistical software. Applications of statistical tests, reporting and interpretation of results, and data visualization.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Nielsen, Daiva (Fall)
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PARA 438 Immunology (3 credits)
Overview
Parasitology : An in-depth analysis of the principles of cellular and molecular immunology. The emphasis of the course is on host defence against infection and on diseases caused by abnormal immune responses.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
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PATH 300 Human Disease (3 credits)
Overview
Pathology : Provides a fundamental understanding of the diseases prevalent in North America, for upper level students in the biological sciences. Includes: general responses of cells and organ systems to injury; assessment of individual diseases by relating the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention to the primary biological abnormalities in each disorder.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Zorychta, Edith (Winter)
