Master of Nutrition and Population Health
2025 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2025 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Master of Nutrition and Population Health |
| Deakin course code | H748 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Online | No |
| Duration | 1.5 - 2 years full-time or part-time equivalent, depending on your entry point |
| Course Map - enrolment planning tool | This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2025 Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| CRICOS course code | 092729G Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9 |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Indicative student workload
- Professional recognition
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Pathways
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Research and research-related study
- Fees and charges
Course overview
This is an advanced course in human nutrition which draws content from related disciplines such as public health, food science, biochemistry, physiology, epidemiology, psychology, sociology and politics and policy.
Throughout the course you will develop advanced knowledge of human nutrition, an understanding of the biological, social and policy related aspects of human nutrition, and skills that will enable you to practise effectively as a nutritionist in a range of employment settings.
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, placements 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. Teaching, placements and assessment tasks may take place outside of Deakin University teaching periods.
Each unit will require 11-13 study hours per week that may include some or all of the following: guided learning with online learning resources, participation in online seminars, individual study, research of the nutrition literature, learning activities in the workplace, assessment activities and participation in online discussions. Each unit will be further supported by face to face learning activities on campus with academic staff.
Professional recognition
Growing public interest in the relationship between diet and health is evident and, as a result, there are increasing demands from the public for reliable and trustworthy information. In response, the Nutrition Society of Australia (NSA) has developed a ‘Register of Nutritionists’ to establish a list of appropriately qualified nutrition professionals.
As a graduate of this course, you may be eligible for registration as an ‘Associate Nutritionist’. Following three years of relevant work experience, Associate Nutritionists are able to apply for ‘Registered Nutritionist’ status. Registration with NSA does not authorise registrants to obtain provider numbers with Medicare or Private Health Insurers. Please refer to the Nutrition Society of Australia website for further information or queries about registration.
Career opportunities
As a graduate of this course, you will find opportunities in a wide range of nutrition positions in government departments, non-government organisations, community sector agencies, food industry and consulting.
Participation requirements
International students must attend the seminars at a campus to fulfil their visa requirements.
Students are required to complete units in Trimester 3.
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
Applicable only to students undertaking practicum units, who will therefore require a Working With Children Check. Not mandatory for all students.
Pathways
This course does not provide a pathway to higher degree by research.
Alternative exits
Graduate Certificate of Human Nutrition (H511)
Graduate Diploma of Human Nutrition (H616)
Course duration - additional information
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.
Course Learning Outcomes
| Deakin 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 food and nutrition sciences. |
| Teamwork | Work collaboratively as part of interdisciplinary teams with a range of stakeholders to advance the field of food and nutrition sciences. |
| Global citizenship | Engage in professional and ethical practice that demonstrates awareness of, and adaptability to, diverse social, cultural and environmental contexts in food and nutrition sciences. |
Course rules
To complete the Master of Nutrition and Population Health students must pass 16 credit points and meet the following course rules to be eligible to graduate:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
- 16 credit points of core units
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. See the enrolment codes and terminology to help make sense of the University’s vocabulary.
Note:
- Trimester 3 is a compulsory study period for all H748 international students in order to enable students to complete units in the required sequence and complete the course within the specified course duration of their Confirmation of Enrolment.
Course structure
Core units
Course structure applies for students who commenced in 2020 onwards. Students who commenced prior to 2020 should refer to previous online Handbooks or contact a contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.
Please refer to the Course Map page for course map information.
Students must enrol in the Burwood (Melbourne) offerings of all units
Year 1 - Trimester 1
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points) |
| HSN701 | Principles of Nutrition |
| HSN713 | Food, Nutrition and Behaviour |
| HSN749 | Biochemistry and Physiology for Human Nutrition |
Year 1 - Trimester 2
| HSN702 | Lifespan Nutrition |
| HSN715 | Understanding Human Nutrition Research Studies |
| HSN735 | Essentials of Food Science |
Year 1 - Trimester 3
| HSN719 | Assessment Methods for Nutrition and Physical Activity Research |
| HSN738 | International Nutrition |
| HSN753 | Research Practice in Human Nutrition |
Year 2 - Trimester 1
| HSN703 | Diet and Lifestyle Diseases |
| HSN705 | Public Health Nutrition |
| HSN708 | Nutrition Promotion |
Year 2 - Trimester 2
| HSN706 | Policy and Practice for Healthy and Sustainable Food Systems |
| HSN714 | Systems Thinking in Public Health Nutrition |
| HSN734 | Obesity Prevention |
| HSN746 | Nutritional Issues from Early Childhood to Adolescence |
You may receive preclusions (*) based on previous studies. If you do, you can choose to undertake the following units:
| HSN709 | Sports Nutrition |
| HSN741 | Postgraduate Nutrition Practicum |
| HSN738 | International Nutrition |
| HSN743 | Nutrition for Healthy Ageing |
| HSN760 | International Perspectives in Food and Nutrition |
* Preclusion means that you are not required to undertake the specific units within the masters course, but you will need to choose other HSN7** elective instead.
For example - If a Bachelor of Nutrition Science student has completed HSN211 Nutritional Physiology, they can be precluded from HSN701 Principles of Nutrition and they will need to choose another HSN7** unit to replace HSN701.
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.
Further information
Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.
- Contact Student Central
Research and research-related study
The prescribed course structure includes research specific units - 1 credit point research related study and 1 credit point independent research as well as 1 credit point in nutrition assessment unit.
An additional 4 credit point research project (2 x 2 credit points) is available where students can undertake them as extra units within the course. The units are:
| HSN750 | Nutrition Research Project Part A |
and
| HSN751 | Nutrition Research Project Part B |
Please note that these project units are only offered online.
Fees and charges
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, and their study discipline or 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.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.