ECTS credits: 5

Course parameters:

Language: English

Level of course: PhD course

Semester/quarter: Q3 2023

Hours per week: 50-55 including preparation.

Capacity limits: 20 participants

Objectives of the course

The aim is to give the PhD student an overview of carbohydrates in feeds and impact on nutrition and intestinal health of nonruminant animals.

Learning outcomes and competences

After finalising the course, the student:

1. Can categorize the different classes of carbohydrates and describe how they can be analysed.
2. Can identify the carbohydrates present in different feedstuffs with special emphasis on grains and legumes.
3. Can describe the influence of processing on digestion and functional properties of carbohydrates.
4. Can differentiate between the type of carbohydrates digested by enzymes in the small intestine and fermented by microbes in the large intestine.
5. Can explain the hormonal regulation and metabolism of carbohydrates.
6. Can describe fundamental aspects of how carbohydrates may influence intestinal health.

Compulsory programme

Active participation in the two weeks course Monday-Friday including presentation of own project.

Course contents

The course will consist of theoretical lectures, laboratory work, practical problem solvents based on literature cases, and demonstrations in the barn.

The course covers the following topics:

• Carbohydrate definition and terminology
• Analyses of carbohydrates
• Impact of feed processing on carbohydrate chemistry and physicochemical properties
• Carbohydrates digestion and absorption
• Fermentation of carbohydrates
• Hormonal regulation of carbohydrates and how they are converted into energy and lipids
• Influence of carbohydrates on intestinal health

Participants are expected to deliver 160 working hours divided between:

• Course: 10 working days in August 2023, including lectures and participant presentations.
• Preparation: Literature, own presentation.
• Brief written report including practical problem solving’s based on literature cases after finalizing the course.

Prerequisites

This course targets PhD students and researchers within science, agricultural, veterinary and health sciences working with carbohydrates in relation to nutrition and intestinal health.

Name of lecturers:

Professor Knud Erik Bach Knudsen, Aarhus University, AU-Viborg, Denmark.

Professor Hans Henrik Stein, University of Illinois, US

Senior scientist Helle Nygaard Lærke, Aarhus University, AU-Viborg, Denmark.

Senior scientist Nuria Canibe, Aarhus University, AU-Viborg, Denmark.

Professor Birger Svihus, Department of Nutrition, Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Norway.

Type of course/teaching methods:

Teaching activities will be a mixture of lectures, laboratory work, theoretical exercises, and demonstrations.
 

Literature:
Research papers and book chapters.

Course homepage:

https://anivet.au.dk/uddannelse/carbohydrates-with-emphasis-on-nutrition-and-intestinal-health-of-non-ruminant-animals

Course assessment:

To qualify for a diploma and 5 ECTS, the following is required:

Presence at more than 60 % of the time allocated for lectures and solving of cases.

Final exam on the last day of the course based on their responses to 4 practical problem sets.

Grading: Pass/Fail. Each practical problem-set will be worth 20 points (80 points in total), and the final exam is worth 120 points for a total of 200 points.

Provider: Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences
 

Special comments on this course:

The participant must arrange his/her own transportation to and from AU-Viborg, Research Centre Foulum. Morning and afternoon busses are running to nearby Viborg.

The participant also has to book accommodation and handle the evening dinner.

Time: 14 August – 25 August 2023

Place: Aarhus University, AU-Viborg, Blichers Allé 20, DK-8830 Tjele

Registration:
Deadline for registration is 3 July 2023. Information regarding admission will be sent out no later than two days later.

Course fee

Teaching materials, coffee/the/fruits/cake at AU-Viborg and a social dinner.

Lunch is the participants own account and can be brought or bought in the canteen.

Total price: 1900, - DKK

Registration for participants from Aarhus University: 3 July 2023

Registration for participants from other universities: 3 July 2023

 

If you have any questions, please contact Emma Bonde Stanek: ebs@anivet.au.dk or Knud Erik Bach Knudsen: knuderik.bachknudsen@anivet.au.dk.