Overview

This unit focuses on developing the knowledge of nutrition science, and how it relates to human nutritional requirements and health across the lifespan. It provides foundational knowledge to inform science-based and evidence-based nutrition and dietetic practice.

Requisites

Prerequisites

Admission into MA-DIET - Master of Dietetics

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
03-March-2025
01-June-2025
Last self-enrolment date
16-March-2025
Census date
31-March-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
24-April-2025
Results released date
08-July-2025

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Interpret the digestion, absorption, ultisation and importance of nutrients across different stages of human development
  • Infer the impact on human health and wellbeing of the metabolism and excretion of nutrients
  • Evaluate the role of dietary patterns and nutrient intakes on the development and progression of disease
  • Interpret the biochemical functions and interactions of nutrients in regards to human health

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Activity Type Activity Total Hours Number of Weeks Hours Per Week
On-campus Class 36 12 weeks 3
Unspecified Activities Independent Learning 114 12 weeks 9.5
Total Hours: 150 Total Hours (per week): 12.5

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Quizzes Individual 20%  1,2,3,4 
Report Individual  40%  1,2,3,4 
Final-Semester Test Individual  40%  1,2,3,4

Content

  • Foundational and applied nutrition science
  • Anatomy and physiology of the digestive system
  • Digestion, metabolism and function of macronutrients and their impacts on health and function at various life stages
  • Digestion, metabolism and functions of micronutrients and their impacts on health and function at various life stages
  • Impacts of various dietary patterns on health, function and disease risk
  • Graduate Attribute 5: Digital Literacies 1 - Information literacy

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.