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. Students will learn to use scientific based evidence to examine and critique contemporary nutrition issues related to food and health, hence gaining an appreciation of applying nutrition science theory. Students will also apply laboratory techniques to understand nutrition science principles about nutrients in food.

Requisites

Prerequisites
NTR10001 Introduction to Nutrition
Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Date Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
04-August-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:

  • Explain the digestion, absorption, transport, metabolism and physiological functions of macro and micronutrients in the human body.
  • Apply laboratory techniques in the examination and evaluation of nutrient content in food and communicate the results of laboratory investigations via scientific reports.
  • Explain the impacts of processing techniques on food and nutrients.
  • Discuss the pathophysiological impacts of consuming nutrients in excess or below current nutrient recommendations.
  • Examine and critique contemporary issues relating to food and nutrition science by applying current scientific evidence.

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Activity Type Activity Total Hours Number of Weeks Hours Per Week
Online Lecture 12 12 weeks 1
On-campus Class 16 8 weeks 2
On-campus Lab 8 4 weeks 2
Specified Activities Various 60 12 weeks 5
Unspecified Activities Various 42 12 weeks 3.5
Online Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning 12 12 weeks 1
Total Hours: 150 Total Hours (per week): 14.5

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Assignment Individual  40%  1,4,5
Laboratory Report Individual  40%  2,3,5 
Final-Semester Test Individual  20%  1,3,4,5 

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
  • Laboratory techniques for the examination of food and nutrients
  • Impacts of processing on food and nutrients
  • Evidence-based food-based strategies to correct nutrient deficiencies and excesses
  • Importance of scientific literature in food and nutrition science
  • Graduate Attributes: Verbal communication
  • Graduate Attributes: Digital literacy

Study resources

Reading materials

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