Bachelor of Nutrition Science (Dietetics Pathway)

2020 Deakin University Handbook

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Year

2020 course information

Award granted Bachelor of Nutrition Science (Dietetics Pathway)
Course Map

This course map is for students commencing from Trimester 1 2020:

Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser.
CampusOffered at Burwood (Melbourne)
Cloud CampusNo
Duration3 years full-time or part-time equivalent
CRICOS course code0101098 Burwood (Melbourne)
Deakin course codeH318
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

Deakin’s Bachelor of Nutrition Science (Dietetics Pathway) offers guaranteed entry into our Master of Dietetics if you achieve a 75 weighted average mark or above. The course develops your understanding of human nutrition and its impact on health. Learn how to tackle challenges facing our society including disease prevention, obesity, the spread of misinformation, and the social and physiological effects of food on our wellbeing.

Put theory into practice in our state-of-the-art food sensory labs located within our Centre for Advanced Sensory Science. Designed just like those found in industry settings, our labs provide hands-on experience that prepares you for the workplace. Graduate with practical skills that allow you 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.

Want to have a real impact on population health and improve the wellbeing of communities?

This course offers the same structure and units as our Bachelor of Nutrition Science, while ensuring dietetics prerequisites are incorporated as core units, to fulfil the entry requirements for the Master of Dietetics. Graduates will receive an offer to study in the Master of Dietetics after completing the necessary units and meeting the weighted average mark (WAM) requirement.

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.

A 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 will also have the opportunity to gain 100 hours of valuable practical experience, either by studying the volunteering unit in year two or three, or 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.

Indicative student workload

Approximately 150 hours of learning and assessment activities per credit point

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 this degree, you are eligible to apply for student membership with the Nutrition Society of Australia (NSA). Graduates who elect to not complete the Master of Dietetics can apply for ordinary membership of NSA and 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

Career skills are developed throughout the course. Specific Work integrated learning is offered as an elective from the second year of study. Students can enrol in HSN227 Volunteering in Exercise and Nutrition Sciences or HSN311 Food and Nutrition Practicum. We encourage students to undertake a placement to enable them to gain hands on experience, and a pathway to their future career. Upon graduating from H718 Master of Dietetics (subject to course rules) students are well placed to pursue careers in all areas of dietetics.

Participation requirements

Students are required to complete laboratory safety modules and a compulsory zero credit point Academic Integrity unit.

Deakin’s standard holiday breaks are listed here: https://www.deakin.edu.au/courses/key-dates

This course allows you to select elective units that may include placements, work based training, community-based learning and collaborative research training arrangements. Before you enrol in units, please check the unit specification to understand these compulsory learning experiences.

Placement may occur at any time, including during standard holiday breaks, upon discussion with host organisation.

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability.

Mandatory student checks

HSN227 and HSN311, which are both elective, work-integrated learning units, require a community placement or interaction with the community. These units may require a police check and working with children check. Refer to the relevant unit guide for further details.

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, your fee category and the year you started. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the 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 (Dietetic Pathway), 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:

  • 17 core units (these are compulsory)
  • Completion of either the 6 unit Food Innovation major sequence or 5 HSN coded (nutrition and food) elective units.
  • 1 -2 elective unit(s) which 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
  • Students must enrol and pass HAI010 – Academic Integrity.
  • Completion of HSN010 Food and Nutrition Laboratory Safety prior to the first laboratory based unit in this course.
  • Completion of SLE010 Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program prior to the first SLE coded unit.
  • Completion of HSE010 Exercise and Sport Laboratory Safety prior to commencing HSE208.
  • Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. Click here for more information.

Major sequences

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

 

Course structure

Core units

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

HSN107Physiology of Human Growth and Development

SLE155Chemistry for the Professional Sciences

Level 2 - Trimester 1

HSN211Nutritional Physiology

SLE212Biochemistry

plus 2 HSN-coded units - recommended at level 2

Level 2 - Trimester 2

HSN202Lifespan Nutrition

HSE208Integrated Human Physiology

SLE222Biochemical Metabolism

HSE010Exercise and Sport Laboratory Safety (0 credit points)

plus 1 HSN-coded unit- recommended at level 2

Level 3 - Trimester 1

HSN301Diet and Disease

HSN309Food Policy and Regulation

plus 1 HSN level 3 unit

plus 1 elective unit - recommended at level 2 or level 3

Level 3 - Trimester 2

HSN302Population Nutrition

HSN305Assessing Food Intake and Activity

plus 1 HSN level 3 unit

plus one elective unit - recommended at Level 2 or Level 3

Course structure

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

HSN227Volunteering in Exercise and Nutrition Sciences

HSN308Food, Nutrition and Society

HSN311Food and Nutrition Practicum

HSN320Trends in Product Development

Trimester 3

HSN360International Perspectives in Food and Nutrition

The Food Innovation major includes the following units:

HSN206Food Analysis and Quality Assurance

HSN223Sensory Evaluation of Food

HSN204Food Safety

HSN315Food Manufacturing and Process Innovation

HSN319Consumer and Sensory Innovation of Food

HSN320Trends in Product Development

Work experience

Work Integrated Learning

If you are interested in the possibility of enhancing 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. You can do this by choosing to complete HSN311 Food Science and Nutrition Practicum or HSN227 Volunteering in Exercise and Nutrition Sciences as an elective unit 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 Course Adviser via health-enquire@deakin.edu.au 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


 

Further information

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