a) FORMATIVE OBJECTIVES
Understanding the basic elements of the physiology and neurophysiology of feeding and, in particular, describing: the functional mechanisms of the gastrointestinal tract (oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, liver, intestines) including transport processes, motility, secretion, excretion, digestion and absorption; their control by central/peripheric nervous system and by autocrine, paracrine and endocrine components; the regulation of the metabolic processes associated with the ingestion of nutrients and the energy balance; the fundamental principles behind eating behavior.

b) EXPECTED LEARNING RESULTS (Dublin Descriptors)
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING CAPACITY: To pass the exam, the student will have to demonstrate that she/he has gained a knowledge and ability to understand the issues related to the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and its components and the physiological processes of nutrients ingestion that will allow her/him to set the discussion of theoretical issues in logical and complete way.
CAPACITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND COMPREHENSION: The student will have to demonstrate how to set up applicative problems in the field of Nutrition physiology.
AUTONOMY OF JUDGEMENT: The student must have acquired such knowledge as to enable her/him to describe the mechanisms underlying the cell and body functions and to independently and reasonably evaluate possible different opinions on possible issues.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS: At the end of the course, the student must have reached an appropriate organization of one's own thinking concerning the various subjects of the course, allowing her/him to expose the topics in an organic and appropriate scientific language.
LEARNING CAPACITIES: The student must be able to examine and understand texts and scientific material, so that they can be used in daily contexts for the profession and for the research.