Course Outline

NUT101 Introduction to Nutrition

Course Coordinator:Courtney Thompson (cthompson1@usc.edu.au) School:School of Health - Nutrition and Dietetics

2024Semester 1

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC Moreton Bay

Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

This course introduces you to the field of nutrition including a focus on nutrition practice and career pathways, how knowledge in nutrition is developed, the many ways healthy diets can be defined and major nutrition related issues affecting the Australian population. You will develop some basic nutrition knowledge, skills in assessing sources of nutrition information and explore potential career options and consider specialisation within the rest of your degree.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – On-campus workshop 2hrs Week 1 10 times
Learning materials – A combination of pre-recorded videos, readings and associated activities. 2hrs Week 1 13 times
Seminar – Seminar introducing roles and career pathways in Nutrition and Dietetics. 1hr Week 2 Once Only
Information session – Information session on course material and assessment tasks. The sessions will be held in the self-directed study weeks near assessment due dates and where public holidays impact on timetabling. 1hr Week 5 3 times

Course Topics

This course contains an introduction to nutrition practice, career pathways, nutrition science, the food system, and multiple information literacy topics. 

What level is this course?

100 Level (Introductory)

Engaging with discipline knowledge and skills at foundational level, broad application of knowledge and skills in familiar contexts and with support. Limited or no prerequisites. Normally, associated with the first full-time study year of an undergraduate program.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Evaluate and describe the quality and credibility of two sources of nutrition information. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
2 Develop an appropriate search strategy, accurately search for, and summarise scientific literature. Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
3 Identify the knowledge, skills and attributes required for future nutrition practice and relevant study pathways. Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
4 Describe scope of practice and professional development requirements for the nutrition profession. Empowered
5 Describe cultural awareness and its importance in nutrition practice. Knowledgeable
Sustainability-focussed

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Enrolled in Program SC019, AB101, SC354

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

Formative feedback will be provided in workshops.  

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Report Individual 35%
1500 words
Week 5 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 2 Activity Participation Group 35%
2a. Formative - group agreement / plan; 
2b. 6 minutes
Refer to Format Online Submission
All 3 Examination - Centrally Scheduled Individual 30%
120 minutes
Exam Period Exam Venue
All - Assessment Task 1:Information literacy report
Goal:
The goal of this task is to use a structured process to develop a research search strategy, acquire literature and present an annotated bibliography.
Product: Report
Format:
You will be provided with a set of nutrition research questions. You will choose one of these research questions to develop a search strategy, undertake a search for scientific literature and produce an annotated bibliography. 

A template will be provided for structuring your report.  The report will include your search strategy, search results, and annotated bibliography (including 5 entries).
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Develop a suitable search strategy
2
2
Undertake a search for scientific literature
2
3
Present scientific literature accurately in the annotated bibliography
1
4
Communicate clearly and concisely
2
5
Follow instructions given for presentation and organisation of the report
2
All - Assessment Task 2:Nutrition Information Source Presentation
Goal:
The goal of this task is to use a structured process to evaluate the quality and credibility of nutrition information and communicate your findings in a narrated PowerPoint presentation (or similar).
Product: Activity Participation
Format:
Submit: 2a Week 7; 2b Week 11. 
In this assessment task, you will be working in self-selected groups to prepare and present a short oral presentation (via a narrated PowerPoint or similar) that explains your findings from evaluating two sources of nutrition information. 

This task includes 2 components:Task 2a: As a group, you will develop a group agreement / plan using the provided template and submit this by week 7. This document should outline a plan of your narrated PowerPoint as well as a timeline which shows key tasks and allocation of tasks required to prepare the presentation. This is due in the week 7 tutorial and ungraded feedback will be given to each group. 

Task 2b: Your group will develop and submit a 6-minute narrated PowerPoint online. All students will be expected to contribute equally to the development and presentation of the narrated PowerPoint (or similar).
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Present a structured and informative presentation
1
2
Accurately use the critique framework
1
3
Synthesise the findings of the critique framework to make a determination of the quality and credibility of the information
1
4
Professional communication skills
1
All - Assessment Task 3:Examination
Goal:
The goal of this task is for you to demonstrate your understanding of the key concepts taught in this course. Relevant concept areas include: nutrition related roles, scope of practice, cultural awareness in nutrition practice and relevant knowledge, skills and attributes required by nutrition professionals.
Product: Examination - Centrally Scheduled
Format:
The exam will cover materials from the whole semester and consist of open-ended questions.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Describe nutrition related roles
3 4
2
Identify scope of practice
4
3
Identify appropriate study pathways
4
4
Relevant knowledge, skills and attributes required by nutrition professionals
3 5

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

There are no required/recommended resources for this course.

Specific requirements

Not Applicable

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation.  It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline.  This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person.  You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin.  This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment
Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
a.	The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%
b.	The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale
c.	You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct.

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submission of assessment tasks may be penalised at the following maximum rate: 
- 5% (of the assessment task's identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- 10% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the third day - 20% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.

SafeUniSC

UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUniSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUniSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.

The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.

Study help

For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.

If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.

Wellbeing Services

Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.

AccessAbility Services

Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

  • In person:
    • UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
    • UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
    • UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
    • UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
    • UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
    • UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
  • Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
  • Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au