NFSC 630 - Energy Balance
This syllabus was last updated on May 20th, 2004. This syllabus covers the general subject matter and format for the course but does not apply to any specific semester. For information about this course for a particular semester please contact the course Instructor. Syllabi for all courses in the Department of Nutrition and Food Science are subject to change at any time per decision of the Instructor. The Instructor for the course may also change at the discretion of the Department of Nutrition and Food Science.
Objectives
- To comprehend the environmental and physiological controls of food intake
- To conduct literature searches and synopses of several contemporary theories of food intake control
- To develop a research hypothesis extending what is known about a theory of intake control
Instructor
T.W. Castonguay
3209B Marie Mount Hall
(301) 405-4503
twc@umd.edu
Required Text
None, but please schedule about $10-20 in Xeroxing costs that you will need to cover the expense of photocopying research articles
Grading System
A = 100 – 90% of possible points
B = 89-80%
C = 79-70%
D = 69-60%
F = 59 % and below
Incompletes are given only if a small part of the course (25% or less) is not completed and a contract for completion of the course is drawn up between the student and professor. Otherwise, a grade of F will be given.
Grade Determination
Mid-term exam = 100
Research proposal = 200
In class presentations = 100
Cumulative final = 100
Total Points = 500
Examinations
Both examinations will be conducted in class. The exams will be geared for 2 h. Any student who misses an exam must present to the course professor a valid excuse, within 48 h after the exam has been given, accompanied by written evidence (such as a doctor’s note) to explain an absence from an exam.
Schedule of Classes
| Week # | Topic |
| 1 | Overview – The neural and metabolic regulation of intake |
| 2 | Theories of food intake regulation Special seminar – S. Woods Friday, noon NACS special seminar |
| 3 | Mammalian Neuroanatomy of feeding |
| 4 | Neuropeptides influencing feeding |
| 5 | Neurochemistry of feeding |
| 6 | Neuroendocrinology of feeding |
| 7 | Peripheral mechanisms in the control of food intake |
| 8 | Hepatic controls |
| 9 | Mid term exam |
| 10 | Metabolic controls |
| 11 | Diseases affecting the control of intake |
| 12 | Psychiatric diseases influencing intake |
| 13 | Thanksgiving - no class |
| 14 | Recent advances in the molecular biology of feeding |
| 15 | Research proposals presentation |
| 16 | Final exam |
Assigned reading lists will be distributed on the second week of class Lectures will precede student presentations of research articles related to the topic of the week. All student research articles are to be no more than 2 yrs old, and a copy of the article must be turned in prior to class presentation.
Written Requirement
One of the objectives is the course is to familiarize the student with the process of writing a grant proposal. In place of a term paper or literature review and analysis, each student will complete a standard NIH grant proposal. A complete USPHS form 398 will be written by each student, adhering to the guidelines for authors (page limitations will be strictly enforced). Fictitious budgets and preliminary studies will be developed and included in the proposal. Topics for these proposals will be determined by the 4th week of class in consultation with me, and the final submission of the proposal will be due no later than noon December 12, 2003 in my office. TWC
For more information, contact Tom Castonguay
Last updated: 10/5/2006