Bachelor of Nutrition Science

2023 Deakin University Handbook

Note: You are seeing the 2023 view of this course information. These details may no longer be current. [Go to the current version]
Year

2023 course information

Award granted Bachelor of Nutrition Science
Course Map

This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2023.

This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2023.

Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.

CampusOffered at Burwood (Melbourne)
OnlineNo
Duration3 years full-time or part-time equivalent
CRICOS course code095521M Burwood (Melbourne)
Deakin course codeH315
Approval status

This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.

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

More than 7% of total burden of disease in Australia is due to poor diet*. Study Deakin's Bachelor of Nutrition Science and help tackle the challenges facing our society including disease prevention, lifespan nutrition, obesity, the spread of misinformation, and the social and physiological effects of food on our wellbeing. Modelled on commercial laboratories, our food preparation, food analysis and two sensory laboratories give students hands-on real-world laboratory experience preparing you for the workplace.

Gain at least 75 hours of workplace training through industry placement. These experiences ensure you have the practical skills to improve health through food and nutrition – skills that are increasingly in demand as society grapples with nutrition-related diseases and their impact on wellbeing. This course provides a pathway to the Master of Dietetics, which allocates 60% of places to Deakin graduates.

Do you want to have a real impact on population health, and improve the wellbeing of communities?

In this course, you will study a broad range of subjects that unlock a variety of career opportunities across health and nutrition industries. Gain a comprehensive understanding of:

  • the role of food in disease prevention
  • nutrition education and research
  • food choice and intake
  • food regulation
  • nutritional physiology
  • lifespan nutrition
  • sustainable food systems
  • the science of food.

To add diversity to your degree and expand your career opportunities, you can choose elective units in complementary areas such as food innovation, health promotion, psychology, physical activity and health or exercise science.

Gain extensive practical experience through the Food and Nutrition Practicum unit in your final year. This allows you to build industry experience and connections while applying your skills alongside established nutritionists.

The major in food innovation will prepare you for a career in the food industry, where your knowledge of nutrition and food composition will facilitate the creation and marketing of food products that help to improve health.

You can also learn about nutrition perceptions and issues in different cultures by taking your studies abroad to gain an international perspective. Find yourself learning about food policy in Thailand, enjoying an Amish dinner, visiting Hershey’s in the US or even travelling to the Netherlands to study organic farming.

*Australian Government, Department of Health: www.health.gov.au/health-topics/food-and-nutrition/about

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 classes, 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

While studying, you are eligible to apply for student membership with the Nutrition Society of Australia (NSA). Graduates with a Bachelor of Nutrition Science can apply for ordinary membership of NSA or apply to become a registered Associate Nutritionist. Registration will ensure you are recognised as a qualified nutrition professional in the field.

Additionally, if you have completed this degree with a major in food innovation, you may also seek membership into the Australian Institute of Food, Science and Technology (AIFST).

Graduates are eligible to apply to become a Registered Associate Nutritionist with the:

  • Nutrition Society of Australia
  • Hong Kong Nutrition Association
  • UK Association for Nutrition.

Career opportunities

As a nutritionist, you will have the knowledge and skills to confidently provide evidence-based advice to communities regarding food and its impact on our health. Graduates of the Bachelor of Nutrition Science will be well prepared for careers requiring knowledge surrounding:

  • nutrition
  • individual and population health
  • food analysis
  • food sustainability
  • food policy
  • nutrition for disease prevention
  • assessing and evaluating food intake.

Students completing the food innovation major will be prepared for careers requiring knowledge of:

  • consumer behaviour
  • education and research
  • the food industry
  • food policy and regulation
  • sensory analysis
  • product development
  • food quality and safety
  • food manufacturing.

You will gain the skills required to perform a range of roles across:

  • advocacy
  • nutrition promotion
  • nutrition media and marketing
  • quality assurance
  • self-employment and consulting

Visit our nutrition careers page for more on the different pathways available to you.

Students can choose to study the prerequisite subjects for further study in Dietetics and apply for the Master of Dietetics on completion of their Bachelor degree. 60% of places in Deakin’s Master of Dietetics are allocated to Deakin graduates.

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:

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, the type of fee place you hold, your commencement year, the units you choose and your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Use the Fee estimator to see course and unit fees applicable to your course and type of place. Further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods is available on our Current students fees website.

Course Learning Outcomes

Graduate Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes

Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

Apply food and nutrition and health knowledge from a range of perspectives.

Communication

Select and use a variety of engaging communication modes to disseminate knowledge to individuals, groups, government and non-government organisations and health professionals.

Digital literacy

Select and use appropriate technologies to source, understand, evaluate, and communicate information to professional networks and communities.

Critical thinking

Source and critically analyse the food and nutrition literature to apply an evidence-based approach to the field.

Problem solving

Identify and apply practical solutions to a range of changing and complex food and nutrition and health issues.

Self-management

Employ self-directed, reflective work and learning practices in a responsible manner to professionally contribute to nutrition sciences.

Teamwork

Work collaboratively as part of interdisciplinary teams with a range of stakeholders to advance the field of nutrition sciences.

Global citizenship

Engage in professional and ethical practice that demonstrates awareness of, and adaptability to, diverse social, cultural and environmental contexts in nutrition sciences.

Course rules

To complete the Bachelor of Nutrition Science, students must attain 24 credit points. Most units (think of units as 'subjects') are equal to 1 credit point. In order to gain 24 credit points, you will need to study 24 units (AKA 'subjects') over your entire degree. Most students choose to study 4 units per trimester, and usually undertake two trimesters each year.

The course comprises a total of 24 credit points, which must include the following:

  • 13 core units (these are compulsory)
  • Completion of HSN010 Food and Nutrition Laboratory Safety and SLE010 Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program, prior to your first laboratory based unit in this course.
  • 5 HSN coded (nutrition and food) elective units.
  • 6 elective units which may form a major sequence and can be selected from any faculty (you can choose which ones to study)
  • No more than 10 credit points may be taken at level 1 and at least 6 credit points must be taken at level 3

All commencing Faculty of Health Undergraduate and Postgraduate course work students are required to complete HAI010 Academic Integrity in their first trimester of study (0 credit point compulsory unit).

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.

Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.

Major sequences

Refer to the details of each major sequence for availability.

It is recommended that students that commenced their first year in 2018 take the Food Innovation major sequence.

Note: Students who commenced H315 Bachelor of Nutrition Science in 2018 and received credits, please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central before you enrol into the Food Innovation major.

Alternative major sequences can be undertaken from undergraduate courses offered by any faculty at Deakin University (subject to unit and course rules).

Students can choose to undertake majors from other courses as long as they can fit the major into their course structure and the majors are available for you to undertake.

Please ensure you discuss your request with a Student Adviser to ensure you are still meeting your course rules

Bachelor of Health Sciences

Bachelor of Commerce

Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Science

Other major sequences available include:

Minor sequences

Refer to the details of each minor sequence for availability.

Disability and Inclusion

Exercise Science

Family, Society and Health

Health, Nature and Sustainability

Health Promotion

Medical Biotechnology

Physical Activity and Health

Psychology for Allied Health

Course structure

Core units

Course structure applies for students who commenced in 2022 onwards. Students who commenced prior to 2022 should refer to previous online Handbooks or contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.

Please refer to the Course Map page for course map information. 

Level 1 - Trimester 1

HAI010Academic Integrity (0 credit points)

SLE010Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program (0 credit points)

HSN101Foundations of Food, Nutrition and Health

HBS109Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology

HSN105Healthy and Sustainable Food Systems

SLE133Chemistry in Our World

Level 1 - Trimester 2

HSN010Food and Nutrition Laboratory Safety (0 credit points)

HSN104The Science of Food

HSN106Food Fundamentals

plus two elective units (recommended at Level 1)

Level 2 - Trimester 1

HSN211Nutritional Physiology

plus 2 HSN-coded units

plus 1 elective unit (recommended at Level 1 or Level 2)

Level 2 - Trimester 2

HSN202Lifespan Nutrition

plus 1 HSN-coded unit

plus two elective units (recommended at Level 2)

Level 3 - Trimester 1

HSN301Diet and Disease

HSN309Food Policy and Regulation

plus 2 HSN-coded units

Level 3 - Trimester 2

HSN302Population Nutrition

HSN305Assessing Food Intake and Activity

HSN311Food and Nutrition Practicum

plus 1 HSN-coded unit (selective or Food Innovation major sequence)

 

Students who want to complete H718 Master of Dietetics pre-requisites must enrol in ALL the following elective units. You can find detailed information on the course entry requirements and frequently asked questions relating to the Master of Dietetics here.

HSN107Physiology of Human Growth and Development

HSE208Integrated Human Physiology

SLE155Chemistry for the Professional Sciences

SLE212Biochemistry

SLE222Biochemical Metabolism

 

If an exercise physiology unit has been completed at level 2 (e.g. HSE201 Exercise Physiology, it must be combined with one of these units to meet H718 Master of Dietetics pre-requisites:

SLE211Principles of Physiology

SLE221Systems Physiology

Elective units

Electives are offered subject to availability of resources and quotas where applicable.

Trimester 1

HSN206Food Analysis and Quality Assurance

HSN223Sensory Evaluation of Food

HSN307Sports Nutrition: Theory and Practice

HSN315Food Manufacturing and Process Innovation

HSN319Consumer and Sensory Innovation of Food

Trimester 2

HSN204Food Safety

HSN210Nutrition and Food Promotion

HSN308Food, Nutrition and Society

HSN320Trends in Product Development

HSN360International Perspectives in Food and Nutrition

Work experience

Work Integrated Learning

You will enhance your employment prospects by consolidating your knowledge and skills through realistic field experience, you are encouraged to consider undertaking an industry placement or volunteering experience in HSN311 Food Science and Nutrition Practicum in your final year.

Details of major sequences

Food Innovation

Campus

Burwood (Melbourne)


Unit set code

MJ-H000036


Overview

By completing the Food Innovation major you can also establish a career in the food industry, where your knowledge of nutrition and food composition facilitate the creation and marketing of food products that help to improve health.

You may also gain employment in food regulation, food safety and Quality, food product development and sensory analysis.


Units

Note: Students who commenced H315 Bachelor of Nutrition Science in 2018 and received credits, please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central before you enrol into this major.

HSN204Food Safety

HSN206Food Analysis and Quality Assurance

HSN223Sensory Evaluation of Food

HSN315Food Manufacturing and Process Innovation

HSN319Consumer and Sensory Innovation of Food

HSN320Trends in Product Development


 

Psychology

Campus

Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online


Unit set code

MJ-H000008


Overview

This sequence develops students’ understanding of a range of topics in psychology, which is the science concerned with unravelling questions about human behaviour and mental processes.

This six unit major is not intended for the purpose of registration as a psychologist.


Units

To obtain the six unit major students must complete HPS111 and HPS121 plus:

  • any two level 2 units from the psychology units list below.
  • any two level 3 units from the psychology units list below.

Core units

HPS111Introduction to Psychology: Human Behaviour

HPS121Introduction to Psychology: Individual and Social Development

Plus two units from the list below:

HPS201Psychology Research Methods (Introductory)

HPS202Developmental Psychology (Child and Adolescent)

HPS203Cognitive Psychology

HPS204Social Psychology

HPS206Forensic Psychology

Plus two units from the list below:

HPS301Psychology Research Methods (Intermediate)

HPS302Developmental Psychology (Adult)

HPS304Social Psychology (Human Relationships)

HPS307Personality Psychology

HPS308Psychopathology

HPS310Biological Psychology (Brain and Behaviour)

HPS395Biological Psychology (Cognitive Neuroscience)

Details of minor sequences

Disability and Inclusion

Campus

Burwood (Melbourne), Online


Unit set code

MN-H000025


Overview

Completion of this minor will equip students with skills to be an inclusion professional, working to overcome the social and structural barriers that contribute to disability.


Units

HDS101Communication and Diversity *+

HDS106Diversity, Disability and Social Inclusion *+

HDS209Inclusive Services *

HDS210Diversity At Work +

HDS301The Inclusive Practitioner +

HDS310Human Rights and Advocacy *

*Units required for Minor sequence focusing on inclusive services and advocacy

+Units required for Minor sequence focusing on inclusion practice in diverse professions


 

Exercise Science

Campus

Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online

Note: Online offering has on campus intensive workshops of 2-4 days for HSE201, HSE202 and HSE301.


Unit set code

MN-H000016


Overview

This minor provides students with a sound understanding of the core sciences underpinning both competitive sport and recreational physical activity. A variety of learning approaches is adopted, allowing students to integrate their sporting interests with their studies, as well as to match these with their employment objectives.


Units

HBS109Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology

HSE201Exercise Physiology

HSE202Biomechanics

HSE301Exercise Prescription for Fitness and Health


 

Family, Society and Health

Campus

Burwood (Melbourne), Online


Unit set code

MN-H000002


Overview

This minor focuses on the household and family as a setting for public health. It explores the issues facing households and families, such as the link between healthy human development and healthy households, economic wellbeing and health, and the need for supportive environments.


Units

HSH105Understanding Families and Health

HSH206Human Development and Healthy Families

HSH207Socio-Economic Status and Health

HSH306People, Health and Place


 

Health, Nature and Sustainability

Campus

Burwood (Melbourne), Online


Unit set code

MN-H000043


Overview

This minor will explore the inextricable links between human health and the health of the planet. Sustainability issues such as climate change, ecological footprints, sustainable food systems and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will be explored.


Units

HSH112Local and Global Environments for Health

HSW235Community Development: Social Work Theory and Practice D

HSH202Creating Sustainable Futures

HSH306People, Health and Place


 

Health Promotion

Campus

Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online


Unit set code

MN-H000004


Overview

This minor will equip students with a sound knowledge of the causes of health and illness and of effective strategies for prevention of the latter, as well as practical skills in health education and communication, health planning and management.


Units

HSH102Disease Prevention and Control

HSH208Health Communication

HSH212Professional Practice

and one of

HSH302Politics, Policy and Health

HSH313Contemporary Health Issues


 

Medical Biotechnology

Campus

Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong)


Unit set code

MN-H000032


Overview

Medical Biotechnology uses cells and cell materials to produce pharmaceutical and diagnostic products that help treat and prevent human diseases. This minor provides students with an understanding of the core sciences underpinning biotechnology for medical advancement.


Units

HMM101Introduction to Medical Biotechnology

HMM102Principles of Gene and Genomic Technology

HMM201Medical Nanotechnology

HMM305Cell and Tissue Engineering


 

Physical Activity and Health

Campus

Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online


Unit set code

MN-H000023


Overview

This minor provides students with an understanding of how behaviour influences health, with a particular emphasis on the relationships between physical activity and health.


Units

HSE111Physical Activity and Exercise for Health

HSE212Physical Activity Promotion and Evaluation

HSE213Children's Physical Activity and Sport

HSE316Physical Activity and Population Health


 

Psychology for Allied Health

Campus

Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online


Unit set code

MN-H000035


Overview

This sequence prepares students for work in complementary professional fields upon graduation.


Units

HBS110Health Psychology (Behaviour Change)

HPS226Health Psychology (Chronic Illness)

and either

HPS202Developmental Psychology (Child and Adolescent)

HPS302Developmental Psychology (Adult)

or

HPS207Unit description is currently unavailable

HPS328Psychology At Work (Internship)


 


Course duration - additional information

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.

Further information

Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.