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Course Detail

Course Name Chemistry of Life
Course Code 25CHY100
Program B.Sc. (Hons) in Chemistry, Integrated M. Sc. / B. Sc. (Hons) Chemistry
Semester 2
Credits 2
Campus Amritapuri , Coimbatore

Syllabus

Unit 1: Foundations of Health & Wellness (8 hours)

Definition and scope of health, wellness, and wellbeing – Difference between health and wellness;
importance of health education – Dimensions of health: physical, mental, social, emotional, spiritual,
environmental – Determinants of health: biological, behavioural, environmental, socio-economic –
Introduction to environmental health: air, water, soil, climate, noise, hygiene – Sustainable lifestyle
and environmental responsibility.

Unit 2: Nutrition, Diet & Lifestyle Diseases (10 hours)

Components of a balanced diet – Macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, fats): functions, sources,
deficiency/excess – Micronutrients (vitamins, minerals): role in body, deficiency disorders –
Malnutrition: undernutrition, overnutrition, obesity – Unhealthy eating habits and metabolic lifestyle
disorders – “Food as medicine”: functional foods, antioxidants, hydration – Basics of healthy daily
routines for students (sleep, posture, ergonomics).

Unit 3: Physical Fitness, Mental Health & Stress Management (7 hours)

Physical Fitness: Sedentary lifestyle risks – Five components of health-related fitness:
body composition, muscular strength, muscular endurance, cardiorespiratory endurance, flexibility –
Simple exercise routines for students.

Mental Health: Factors affecting mental health – Understanding stress, anxiety,
depression – Stress management techniques: deep breathing, relaxation, mindfulness – Emotional
wellbeing and resilience.

Meaning, history, and philosophy of yoga – Suryanamaskar – Basic asanas – Pranayama:
Anulom-Vilom, Bhramari, Kapalbhati – Meditation and breath awareness – Safety precautions.

Unit 4: Substance Abuse Awareness (5 hours)

Effects of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs – Physical and psychological dependence – Peer pressure and
social influences – Basics of de-addiction, rehabilitation, counselling.

Course Description

This course introduces science students to a holistic understanding of health and wellness through
physical, mental, social, spiritual, nutritional, and environmental perspectives. Students will learn
evidence-based principles of healthy living, the science behind nutrition and fitness, the role of
mental health and stress management, fundamentals of yoga and meditation, and the impacts of
substance abuse and environmental factors on well-being. The course emphasizes practical strategies
to develop sustainable wellness habits relevant to academic, laboratory, and professional life.

Course Outcome

Upon successful completion, students will be able to:

CO1: Explain the importance of sustainable healthy lifestyle.
CO2: Identify components of balanced nutrition and understand the physiological role of macro- and
micronutrients.
CO3: Assess lifestyle choices and apply basic fitness principles to improve physical and mental
health.
CO4: Analyze the significance of foundational yoga asanas, pranayama, Suryanamaskar, and guided
meditation.
CO5: Describe the physiological and social impact of substance abuse and basic principles of deaddiction.

CO-PO-PSO Mapping

CO PO1 PO2 PO3 PO4 PO5 PO6 PO7 PSO1 PSO2 PSO3
CO1 3 1 3 3 3 3 1
CO2 3 1 3 3 3 1
CO3 2 2 3 3 2 2
CO4 2 3 3 3 2 1
CO5 2 3 3 3 2

Text Books / References

Text Books

  • Physical Activity and Health by Claude Bouchard, Steven N. Blair, William L. Haskell.
  • Mental Health Workbook by Emily Attached & Marzia Fernandez, 2021.
  • Mental Health Workbook for Women: Exercises to Transform Negative Thoughts and Improve
    WellBeing by Nashay Lorick, 2022.
  • Lifestyle Diseases: Lifestyle Disease Management, by C. Nyambichu & Jeff Lumiri, 2018.

References:

  • Physical Activity and Mental Health by Angela Clow & Sarah Edmunds, 2013.
  • Advanced Nutrition: Macronutrients, Micronutrients, and Metabolism – Carolyn D. Berdanier,
    Lynnette A. Berdanier.
  • Micronutrients and Macronutrients as Nutraceuticals – Edited by Prakash C. Gupta, Sayan
    Bhattacharyya, Nisha Sharma

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