The Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics requires four years of full-time study. The course is offered by the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
An honours degree can be completed in four years by undertaking additional units, including a research project at honours level, in Year four.
Admission requirements
The minimum requirements for consideration for entry to all undergraduate courses are specified in detail in the University Entry Requirements.
Some places are available to Flinders and Charles Darwin University students who have completed at least two years of an approved degree with a GPA normally of at least a credit average, and which is inclusive of studies in nutrient food sources and requirements, social and behavioural aspects of Food Choice, Food Systems and regulations, Australian Food Products and preparation and; studies in biochemistry and physiology to at least Second Year. These students are granted two years of credit and begin the program of study at Third Year.
Applicants applying for Third Year entry must submit with their application a statement outlining their interest in the course and profession, and evidence of any relevant employment experience. Applicants will be ranked for admission on the basis of a selection score which is a combination of academic merit (70%) and assessment of their statement of interest and experience (30%)./p>
Course aims
This course aims to educate professionals who are able to apply scientific principles and integrate knowledge and skills of nutrition, dietetics and other human sciences in order to promote health and prevent illness in communities and individuals.
The first two years of the course introduce students to the behavioural and biosciences which they will progressively apply to the study of food and nutritional sciences, including the study of social and ecological issues in relation to food. In the final two years there is increasing exposure to professional nutrition and dietetic practice, including at least 21 weeks of supervised placement.
This course, accredited by the Dietitians Association of Australia, prepares graduates for employment in a wide variety of settings including: patient care and education in hospitals, Food Service, nutrition and health education in community health services, Public Health nutrition, food and nutrition policy, private practice and consultancy, education and training, food industry, Health Promotion and nutrition research.
This course is founded on teaching and learning practices designed to encourage life long learning in the practice of nutrition and dietetics.
Learning outcomes
At the completion of the course, students will be expected to:
- demonstrate knowledge, skills and attitudes required to analyse and synthesise nutrition and dietetic issues in a range of settings
- demonstrate communication skills for provision of nutrition and dietetic counselling and education to individuals and groups, using a variety of methods
- demonstrate an evidence-based and critical approach to decision-making in nutrition and dietetic practice
- have developed independent learning and reflexivity for self-evaluation and management of nutrition and dietetic practice
- have understood the importance of inter-professional and cross cultural perspectives in nutrition and dietetic practice
- have developed skills to practice in a changing work environment demonstrating accountability at the individual and organisational level
- demonstrate excellence in professional behaviours including commitment to continuing professional development.
Program of study
To qualify for the Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics a student must complete 144 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the following program of study. Except with the permission of the Dean (Education):
The Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics must be completed: within seven consecutive years for students entering in Year 1; within six consecutive years for students entering in Year 2; within four consecutive years for students entering in Year 3; or, where credit has been granted for previous work, a period determined by the Board.
Core - Year 1 topics
BIOL1102 Molecular Basis of Life (4.5 units)
CHEM1202 Chemistry for the Life Sciences (4.5 units)
HLTH2102 Indigenous Health for Health Sciences (4.5 units)
MMED1005 How Your Body Works: Human Physiology and Structure (4.5 units)
NUTD1105 Food Systems (4.5 units)
NUTD1106 Nutrition, Physical Activity and Health (4.5 units)
Plus one of:
CHEM1101 Chemical Structure and Bonding (4.5 units)
CHEM1201 General Chemistry (4.5 units)
Plus 4.5 units of option topics from the following: (recommended year 1 option list)
Option - Year 1 topics
DSRS1202 Lifespan Development (4.5 units)
DSRS1206 Health Issues and Disability (4.5 units)
DSRS1209 Human Diversity (4.5 units)
DSRS1210 Interpersonal and Interprofessional Communication (4.5 units)
ESOL1101 English as a Second Language 1 (4.5 units) International students only
HLTH1003 Legal and Ethical Aspects of Health Care (4.5 units)
HLTH1004 Human Bioscience (4.5 units)
HLTH1101 Health Promotion for Health Professionals (4.5 units)
HLTH1304 Interpersonal and Interprofessional Communication (4.5 units)
HLTH1305 Australian Healthcare System(s): Concepts and Controversies (4.5 units)
HLTH1306 Contemporary Health Issues in Australia (4.5 units)
NUTD1101 The Australian Table - An Introduction to Food and Food Cultures (4.5 units)
PSYC1101 Psychology 1A (4.5 units)
PSYC1102 Psychology 1B (4.5 units)
PSYC1108 The Psychology of Surviving and Thriving (4.5 units)
or other option topic approved by the Course Coordinator.
Core - Year 2 topics
BIOL2771 Biochemistry (4.5 units)
MMED2931 Human Physiology (4.5 units)
MMED2932 Integrative Human Physiology (4.5 units)
MMED3933 Biochemistry of Human Disease (4.5 units)
NUTD2101 Nutrition Across the Lifecycle (4.5 units)
NUTD2102 Food Products and Preparation (4.5 units)
NUTD2105 Individual, Social and Environmental Perspectives on Food Consumption (4.5 units)
Plus 4.5 units of option topics from the following: (recommended year 2 electives list)
Option - Year 2 topics
ESOL1101 English as a Second Language 1 (4.5 units) International students only
HLTH1306 Contemporary Health Issues in Australia (4.5 units)
HLTH2105 Health: A Psychological Perspective (4.5 units)
HLTH2106 Project Management for Health Promotion (4.5 units)
NUTD3203 Nutrition for Sports Performance (4.5 units)
PSYC2021 Human Development (4.5 units) With permission of the topic coordinator
or other option topic approved by the Course Coordinator.
Core - Year 3 topics
NUTD3101 Fundamentals of Nutritional Epidemiology (4.5 units)
NUTD3102 Nutrients Role and Function (4.5 units)
NUTD3103 The Nutrition Care Process (4.5 units)
NUTD3104 Communication and Nutritional Counselling (4.5 units)
NUTD3106 Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics (9 units)
NUTD3107 Public Health and Community Nutrition (4.5 units)
NUTD3109 Food Service and Professional Practice (4.5 units)
Core - Year 4 topics
NUTD4050 Intensive in Nutrition and Dietetics (0 units)
NUTD9222 Food Service: Theory and Practice (4.5 units)
NUTD4102 Research Methods & Skills in Evidence Based Nutrition Practice (9 units)
NUTD4106 Independent Studies in Nutrition and Dietetics (4.5 units)
NUTD9220 Clinical Placement in Nutrition and Dietetics (9 units)
NUTD9221 Community/Public Health Placement in Nutrition and Dietetics (9 units)
Prima facie evidence of unsatisfactory progress for the purposes of the University's Policy on Student Progress may be constituted by:
the award of a grade of Fail (F) in the same topic on more than one occasion or;
failure to complete the course within a specified number of consecutive years as follows: within seven consecutive years for students entering the Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics in Year 1; within six consecutive years for students entering the Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics in Year 2; within four consecutive years for students entering the Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics in Year 3.
Honours
Students who have completed Year 3 of the Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics to a sufficiently high standard may be invited to enrol in the Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics (Honours) program in Year 4. Other students may be admitted at the discretion of the Dean (Education), subject to specific conditions. Enrolment in the honours program is subject to the College being able to provide appropriate resources and staff to supervise the program of study. Students who are accepted into the Honours program will be required to satisfactorily complete 45 units in the following program of study in Year 4.
Refer to Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics (Honours)
