Bachelor of Nutrition Science/Bachelor of Commerce
2027 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2027 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Bachelor of Nutrition Science/Bachelor of Commerce |
| Deakin course code | D378 |
| Course credit points | 32 |
| Course version | 1 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health |
| Course information | For students who commenced from 2027 onwards |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong) |
| Online | No |
| Duration | 4 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
| Course map - enrolment planning tool | The course map for students commencing from Trimester 1 2027 will be available soon Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7 |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Indicative student workload
- Professional recognition
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Pathways
- Course learning outcomes
- Course rules
- Majors
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Fees and charges
Course overview
Build your knowledge in nutrition science and learn how nutrition affects population health, disease and ageing, and gain a deep understanding of the commercial forces that guide Australia's $173 billion food industry. With Deakin's Bachelor of Nutrition Science/Bachelor of Commerce, you will graduate with highly transferable skills that allow you to work in either field, or where nutrition and business connect.
Get hands-on experience in our state-of-the-art food sensory labs that will prepare you for employment in the thriving health and food industries, with the advanced knowledge to provide evidence-based nutrition advice in community settings. Your commerce degree will build expertise in analysis and reporting to guide business decisions, analyse data, communicate insights and think strategically - foundational for success in the finance, marketing and nutrition industries.
Indicative student workload
As a student in the Faculty of Health you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, practicals and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.
Professional recognition
This qualification allows you to receive recognition from both nutrition and business professional bodies.
Enrolled students and graduates may apply for membership of the Nutrition Society of Australia (NSA). Graduates may apply for registration which will ensure you’re recognised as a qualified nutrition professional in the field.
Deakin Business School holds the prestigious and globally recognised AACSB and EQUIS accreditations, which attest to quality, academic and professional excellence, ongoing improvement, innovation and graduate employability.
Our courses are developed and reviewed with industry and professional input.
Graduates are eligible to apply to become a Registered Associate Nutritionist with the:
Deakin Business School holds the prestigious and globally recognised AACSB and EQUIS accreditations, which attest to quality, academic and professional excellence, ongoing improvement, innovation and graduate employability.
Deakin’s accounting major enables students to apply for the:
- CA Program of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ)
- Associate membership for the CPA Program
- IPA Program of the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA)
- Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
Students who complete the finance major are recognised through the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program.
The financial planning major satisfies the Financial Adviser Standards (FAS) education standards, meaning students can provide financial advice in Australia and are eligible for financial planning certification programs including:
-
the Financial Adviser Association of Australia (FAAA);CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER
Students should consult with a Student Adviser to identify any additional requirements for membership for each professional body, and also consult with the professional body.
Career opportunities
Do you want to help shape the future of Australia’s food industry? This double degree offers a unique opportunity to gain a competitive edge in the job market. By studying nutrition alongside business and commerce, you will not only develop an in-depth understanding of how nutrition impacts public health, but also acquire the essential business skills needed to critically analyse its relationship to the marketplace.
As a graduate from Deakin, the #1 Victorian university for graduate employment, you will be highly sought-after by employers in a variety of industries. You will be prepared to pursue rewarding roles in areas such as:
- brand/product management
- consumer education
- consumer research
- food composition
- food policy
- food regulation
- management
- marketing and media
- quality assurance
- wholesale and retail.
With Deakin’s strong industry connections and a focus on practical experience, you will be equipped to enter the workforce with confidence, ready to contribute to the food and nutrition sector both locally and globally.
Participation requirements
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
Mandatory student checks
Working with Children Check
Applicants will be required to hold a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) for the relevant state prior to undertaking placements as part of this course. Further information and guidance will be provided to students when they enrol into their placement unit.
Police Record Check
Applicants will be required to hold a valid National Police Record Check for placements as part of this course. Further information and guidance will be provided to students when they enrol into their placement unit.
Pathways
This course can be a pathway to:
Bachelor of Nutrition Science (Honours) (H418)
Master of Human Nutrition (H714)
Master of Nutrition and Population Health (H748)
Alternative exits
Bachelor of Nutrition Science (H315)
Bachelor of Commerce (M380)
Course learning outcomes
| Course Learning Outcomes Bachelor of Nutrition Science (H315) | Course Learning Outcomes Bachelor of Commerce (M380) | |
|---|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Apply food and nutrition and health knowledge from a range of perspectives. | Evaluate broad knowledge of commerce, with depth in one or more business disciplines, and apply theoretical and technical expertise to inform financial, economic, and organisational decision-making. |
| Communication | Select and use a variety of engaging communication modes to disseminate knowledge to individuals, groups, government and non-government organisations and health professionals. | Communicate knowledge and ideas clearly and effectively through written, spoken, and digital formats suited to the discipline and context, demonstrating the level of professionalism expected in business settings. |
| Digital literacy | Select and use appropriate technologies to source, understand, evaluate, and communicate information to professional networks and communities. | Effectively use discipline-specific and general digital technologies to research, evaluate, synthesise, and communicate business-relevant information in a dynamic global environment. |
| Critical thinking | Source and critically analyse the food and nutrition literature to apply an evidence-based approach to the field. | Analyse and evaluate academic, professional, and commercial information using relevant theories and methods to form reasoned judgements and support ethical, evidence informed decisions in commercial contexts. |
| Problem solving | Identify and apply practical solutions to a range of changing and complex food and nutrition and health issues. | Apply creative, cognitive, and technical skills to identify, investigate, and solve complex, real world commercial problems using innovative and evidence-informed approaches. |
| Self-management | Employ self-directed, reflective work and learning practices in a responsible manner to professionally contribute to nutrition sciences. | Engage in independent and continuous learning across business disciplines to support personal and professional growth in a dynamic business environment; effectively manage resources, time, and constraints to deliver high-quality, timely outcomes. |
| Teamwork | Work collaboratively as part of interdisciplinary teams with a range of stakeholders to advance the field of nutrition sciences. | Work and learn collaboratively with fellow peers, business professionals, and members of the wider community. |
| Global citizenship | Engage in professional and ethical practice that demonstrates awareness of, and adaptability to, diverse social, cultural and environmental contexts in nutrition sciences. | Develop an ethical awareness and a social responsibility by engaging respectfully and productively with Indigenous, local, national, and international stakeholders, and by applying knowledge and skills in ways that are culturally appropriate, inclusive, and informed by diverse worldviews and knowledges. |
Note – From 2026, Deakin commenced introducing Graduate Attributes (GAs), which define the distinctive characteristics of a Deakin graduate. You may notice some courses still refer to Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) during this transition period.
Course rules
To complete the Bachelor of Nutrition Science/Bachelor of Commerce you must pass 32 credit points. This includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- HSN010 Food and Nutrition Laboratory Safety (0-credit-point unit) and SLE010 Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program (0-credit-point unit) prior to your first laboratory based unit in this course
- 16 credit points from H315 Bachelor of Nutrition Science
- 16 credit points of core units
- 16 credit points from M380 Bachelor of Commerce
- 8 credit points of core units
- 1 commerce major that consists of 8 credit points
- a maximum of 12 credit points at level 1
- a minimum of 10 credit points at level 3 or above.
Course requirements for both the Bachelor of Nutrition Science (H315) and Bachelor of Commerce (M380) must be satisfied.
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Majors
Refer to the details of each Commerce major sequence for availability.
Course structure
Burwood offering
Core units
Please refer to the Course Map page for course map information.
Please contact a Student Adviser for specific course planning by submitting an enquiry.
Completion of HSN010 Food and Nutrition Laboratory Safety and SLE010 Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program prior to your first laboratory- based units in this course.
Students may be able to complete their course in three years by undertaking units in Trimester 3, subject to availability of units in Trimester 3. Please refer to the Course Map page for course map information. The course maps will guide the units you need to enrol in each trimester.
All Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus enrolled students are required to attend seminars and practical laboratory classes (if any) at the Melbourne Burwood Campus for the units marked (#) below.
Burwood students will need to enrol into the Burwood unit offerings.
Geelong students can choose one from the below two options:
A. Online unit offering: Attend two x 2 day intensive practical classes (one day for HSN104 and one day for HSN106). These intensive practical sessions are typically conducted on a Saturday or Sunday at Burwood (Melbourne) Campus.
B. Burwood unit offering: attend four practical classes at Burwood. Geelong students who choose to enrol into Burwood offering can only do so if there is capacity and via manual enrolment.
Year 1 - Trimester 1
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points) |
| SLE010 | Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program (0 credit points) |
| HSN101 | Foundations of Food, Nutrition and Health |
| SLE133 | Chemistry in Our World |
| MAA103 | Accounting for Decision Making |
| MLC101 | Law for Commerce |
Year 1 - Trimester 2
| HSN010 | Food and Nutrition Laboratory Safety (0 credit points) |
| HBS109 | Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology |
| HSN106 | Food Fundamentals (#) |
| MIS171 | Business Analytics |
| MAF101 | Fundamentals of Finance |
Year 2 - Trimester 1
| HSN105 | Healthy and Sustainable Food Systems |
| HSN211 | Nutritional Physiology |
| MPB200 | Shaping the Future of Business |
| MAE101 | Economic Principles |
Year 2 - Trimester 2
| HSN104 | The Science of Food (#) |
| HSN107 | Physiology of Human Growth and Development |
| MPB201 | Business Impact in Society |
| MPB202 | Professional Identity and Career Development |
Year 3 - Trimester 1
| HSN223 | Sensory Evaluation of Food |
| HSN301 | Diet and Disease |
Plus two units from one Commerce major sequence
Year 3 - Trimester 2
| HSN202 | Lifespan Nutrition |
| HSN311 | Food and Nutrition Practicum |
Plus two units from one Commerce major sequence
Year 4 - Trimester 1
| HSN309 | Food Policy and Regulation (#) |
| HSN319 | Consumer and Sensory Innovation of Food |
Plus two units from one Commerce major sequence
Year 4 - Trimester 2
| HSN302 | Population Nutrition |
| HSN305 | Assessing Food Intake and Activity |
Plus two units from one Commerce major sequence
Waurn Ponds campus
Core units
Students who commenced prior to 2027 should refer to previous online Handbooks or consult your course enrolment officer.
Please refer to the unit guides for campus locations and enrolment modes *,**,#
Please refer to the Course Map page for course map information. The course maps will guide the units you need to enrol in each trimester.
Please contact a Student Adviser for specific course planning advice by submitting an enquiry.
Completion of HSN010 Food and Nutrition Laboratory Safety and SLE010 Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program prior to your first laboratory- based units in this course.
Students may be able to complete their course in three years by undertaking units in Trimester 3, subject to availability of units in Trimester 3. Please refer to the Course Map page for course map information. The course maps will guide the units you need to enrol in each trimester.
Year 1 - Trimester 1
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points) |
| SLE010 | Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program (0 credit points) |
| HSN101 | Foundations of Food, Nutrition and Health |
| SLE133 | Chemistry in Our World |
| MAA103 | Accounting for Decision Making ** |
| MAE101 | Economic Principles ** |
Year 1 - Trimester 2
| HSN010 | Food and Nutrition Laboratory Safety (0 credit points) |
| HBS109 | Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology |
| HSN106 | Food Fundamentals * |
| MAF101 | Fundamentals of Finance ** |
| MIS171 | Business Analytics ** |
Year 2 - Trimester 1
| HSN105 | Healthy and Sustainable Food Systems |
| HSN211 | Nutritional Physiology |
| MLC101 | Law for Commerce ** |
| MPB200 | Shaping the Future of Business ** |
Year 2 - Trimester 2
| HSN104 | The Science of Food * |
| HSN107 | Physiology of Human Growth and Development |
| MPB201 | Business Impact in Society ** |
| MPB202 | Professional Identity and Career Development ** |
Year 3 - Trimester 1
| HSN223 | Sensory Evaluation of Food # |
| HSN301 | Diet and Disease |
Plus two units from one Commerce major sequence**
Year 3 - Trimester 2
| HSN202 | Lifespan Nutrition |
| HSN311 | Food and Nutrition Practicum |
Plus two units from one Commerce major sequence**
Year 4 - Trimester 1
| HSN309 | Food Policy and Regulation |
| HSN319 | Consumer and Sensory Innovation of Food # |
Plus two units from one Commerce major sequence**
Year 4 - Trimester 2
| HSN302 | Population Nutrition |
| HSN305 | Assessing Food Intake and Activity |
Plus two units from one Commerce major sequence**
* Units are offered for Geelong students as either online or at Burwood (Melbourne) please read unit descriptions for details.
** Units may not be offered at Waurn Ponds campus and could involve inter-campus travel or online enrolment.
# Units are currently offered at Burwood (Melbourne) however future offerings will be available for Geelong students as either online or at Burwood (Melbourne).
Work experience
You will enhance your employment prospects by consolidating your knowledge and skills through realistic field experience in HSN311 Food and Nutrition Practicum in your third year.
Course duration
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
Fees and charges
Tuition fees will vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, your study load and/or unit discipline.
Your tuition fees will increase annually at the start of each calendar year. All fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD) and do not include additional costs such as textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment, mandatory checks, travel, consumables and other costs.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.
Further information
Contact Student Central for assistance in course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements. Student Central can also provide information for a wide range of services at Deakin. To help you understand the University vocabulary, please refer to our Enrolment codes and terminology page.