Human Body Food to Function

Through a series of lectures, demonstrations and
readings, we will survey the human body from a
molecular level. This course will begin with a
discussion of atoms, the building blocks of food,
and will end with how a complete human body
senses the world around it. We will survey the
basics of nutrition including carbohydrates,
fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals and how they
relate to our metabolism. With these concepts in
mind, we will be able to see how the body puts
our food to work. For example, how does the body
convert breakfast into muscles that can contract
and enable motion? How do certain vitamins help
our eyes turn light into images? How do minerals
help transport a range of substances and even
information throughout our body? Students will
apply what they have learned to problems that can
be answered with short essays and to critiques of
media presentations on health issues. Finally,
students will apply concepts from class to
creative projects that reflect upon and critique
concepts from the course.