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Unit of study_
OLET1676: Modern Alchemy: Molecules on the Menu
2025 unit information
High carb, low carb, good carb, bad carb? Cis-fat, trans-fat, polyunsaturated or saturated fat? Guar gum, soy lecithin, xylitol, aspartame? What do these terms mean, what does it mean for us when we eat them, and why might we want to avoid some and get more of others? This unit will cross-examine the molecules that make up our meals and interrogate the chemical basis of our food. You will learn to identify broad structural features of molecules and gain an appreciation of how structure relates to function. You will develop a molecular perspective on ingredients lists, nutrition panels, and health stars, and an understanding of what different food ingredients provide in molecular terms. In the 2CP unit, you will build on the core content discussed in the 0CP unit to develop skills in communicating your knowledge of these molecules, their context and properties to others. By doing this unit, you will become a more informed eater - better able to interpret nutrition labels on the food you eat, and to translate the creative marketing sometimes used to promote these products - and you will be able to communicate what you've learned to your friends, family and community.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Science
| Study level | Undergraduate |
|---|---|
| Academic unit | Chemistry Academic Operations |
| Credit points | 2 |
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Prerequisites:
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None |
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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None |
| Assumed knowledge:
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None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. Identify the key chemical components of our food, and understand the molecular basis of their contribution to our diet and health.
- LO2. Apply these concepts to categorise molecules according to key structural elements and physical properties.
- LO3. Reflect on the origins of modern foodstuffs in traditional knowledge of flora and fauna.
- LO4. Create learning resources that explain the chemical components of food and so communicate scientific information appropriately.
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
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Intensive February - March 2025
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Online | Camperdown / Darlington, Sydney |
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.
