Nutritional Science (8257.4)

Please note these are the 2024 details for this unit
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Nutritional Science
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods On-campus
 Bruce, Canberra
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Health
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
Discipline Of Nutrition And Dietetics Level 2 - Undergraduate Intermediate Unit Band 2 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 3 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
This unit extends understanding of the physiological function of nutrients with a focus on micronutrients and other food components. Methods for assessing the food and nutrient intake of groups are examined. Advanced application of tools such as Nutrient Reference Values and biomarkers is explained. Fortification of the food supply and interactions between drugs and nutrients are explored.

This unit is co-taught with unit 8258 Nutritional Science G.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Explain the physiological function, food sources and requirements of specified nutrients;
2. Examine and effectively employ methods to assess food and nutrient intake of groups;
3. Select, appraise and describe nutrition evidence to support and explain decision-making;
4. Explain interactions between nutrients, food components and drugs; and
5. Transmit evidence-based nutrition concepts to non-specialist audiences.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - evaluate and adopt new technology
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
4. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing - apply their knowledge to working with Indigenous Australians in socially just ways


Prerequisites

9280 Introductory Nutrition

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Public Health may enrol in this unit without these prerequisites.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.
Availability for enrolment in 2026 is subject to change and may not be confirmed until closer to the teaching start date.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
2025 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 28 July 2025 On-campus Ms Linda Smillie
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 10 August 2026 On-campus Dr Ekavi Georgousopoulou
Not available

Required texts

Required readings will be made available via Canvas.

There are no essential text books for Nutritional Science. The following texts are recommended if you would like to supplement your learning:

  • Whitney et al (eds.), Understanding Nutrition, Australian & New Zealand Edition, 5th Edition, Cengage Learning Australia, Melbourne 2022
  • Berdanier, C.D., & Berdanier, L.A. (2021). Advanced Nutrition: Macronutrients, Micronutrients, and Metabolism (3rd ed.). CRC Press.

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

Students are not permitted to use generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in assessments for this unit.

GenAI may only be used in authorised ways when completing assessments at UC. This means that GenAI can only be used for an assessment when:

1. the Unit Convener has authorised GenAI use for that assessment

2. the student uses GenAI in the way that the assessment instructions allow

3. the student fully acknowledges their use of GenAI, with proper citations, references and a GenAI Acknowledgement Statement in line with the assessment instructions

Where the assessment instructions do not specifically state that GenAI may be used and how, then its use is not permitted for that assessment. Students must still provide the required GenAI Acknowledgement Statement to indicate whether GenAI has or has not been used in the preparation of the assessment. If unsure, students should seek advice from the Unit Convener.

The GenAI for StudentsLinks to an external site. Library Guide provides further information, including how to reference GenAI.

Special assessment requirements

To pass this unit, students must attain at least 50% overall (final grade).

Moderation and Repeat Students

Moderation:

Assessments will be moderated, as per the Faculty of Health Moderation Guidelines. A copy is available via Canvas.

Repeat Students:

Repeat students are required to comply with the unit requirements to pass the unit. Marks from a previous attempt at Nutritional Science cannot be carried over to a subsequent attempt.

 

 

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Participation requirements

All lectures will be provided as recordings only for this unit - there will be no face-to-face lectures delivered this semester.

Students are strongly encouraged to attend all tutorials. Students are responsible for completing learning tasks independently if tutorials are missed.

Students are expected to check the Canvas site regularly for updates and announcements. Students should also regularly check their student email.

Required IT skills

Students may be required to use FoodWorks. FoodWorks can be accessed from all computers at the UC with student access. 

Work placement, internships or practicums

None