Food & Nutrition Science
36 hours
One Semester or equivalent
Hawthorn
Available to incoming Study Abroad and Exchange students
Overview
This unit enables students to develop an understanding of the metabolic and physiological functions of nutrients at the molecular, cellular, tissue, organ, and system level and how these are related to health and disease. An emphasis is placed on understanding the scientific methods for demonstrating the importance of nutrients and developing the skills to critically analyse contemporary scientific literature on nutrition science .
Requisites
Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
04-August-2025
02-November-2025
02-November-2025
Last self-enrolment date
17-August-2025
Census date
31-August-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
19-September-2025
Results released date
09-December-2025
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Demonstrate detailed knowledge of human digestion, absorption, transport, and metabolism of macronutrients and micronutrients
- Explain the physiological functions of macronutrients and micronutrients in the body
- Discuss the overall pathophysiological impact of nutrient consumption in excess of or below requirements
- Identify and apply evidence-based dietary strategies to correct nutrient deficiencies and excesses
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Face to Face Contact (Phasing out) Lecture | 1.00 | 12 weeks | 12 |
| Face to Face Contact (Phasing out) Tutorial | 2.00 | 8 weeks | 16 |
| Face to Face Contact (Phasing out) Tutorial Labs | 2.00 | 4 weeks | 8 |
| Specified Learning Activities (Phasing out) Various | 4.00 | 12 weeks | 48 |
| Unspecified Learning Activities (Phasing out) Independent Learning | 5.50 | 12 weeks | 66 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Individual | 40% | 3,4 |
| Examination | Individual | 40% | 1,2,3,4 |
| Test | Individual | 20% | 1,2,3 |
Content
- Digestion, absorption, and metabolism of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals
- Energy metabolism in the body
- Physiological function of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals
- Basic pathophysiology of nutrient deficiencies and excesses
- Important food sources of nutrients and anti-nutrients
- Evidence-based food-based strategies to correct nutrient deficiencies and excesses
- Importance of scientific literature for nutrient recommendations
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.