FSC5040 Food, nutrition and health
Faculty of Science
FSC5040 Food, nutrition and health is a level 6, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2022 in Semester 2 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2022
- Semester 2
- Clayton
- Assessment
- No exam
- 4 tasks
This is the 2022 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before FSC5040
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After FSC5040
No unit lists FSC5040 as a prerequisite in the 2022 handbook.
Enrolment rules
COREQUISITE: Enrolment in Master of Food Science and Agribusiness or Master of Environment and Sustainability
Overview
This unit focuses on fundamental concepts in human nutrition. It will describe the role and ‘in-body’ function of macro and micro-nutrients found in foods, and identify components which are essential for human health. The concept of energy balance will be introduced and its relevance for the health of populations and individuals. The nutrient reference values (NRV) for optimal nutrition for the Australian population and methods of nutrition assessment will be explored, also focusing on methods used to assess food intake at the population and individual level, data analysis and evaluation of this data to inform recommended dietary intakes for optimal health.
Offerings in 2022
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Second semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- Case study analysis and reflection (1000 words)Other15%
- Oral presentation (15 minutes)Presentation20%
- Critical appraisal (1800 words)Folio30%
- Essay (2000 words)Essay35%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Describe the macro and micro nutrients required for a human health, including the role of key nutrients in human function and the apply nutrient reference values in the context of assessing nutritional status of individuals and populations.
- 2
Critically reflect on current consumption patterns at national, household and individual levels and how this can impact on over and under nutrient consumption and future sustainability of current dietary patterns.
- 3
Assess the role, benefits and limitations of food in the aetiology, prevention and treatment of chronic diseases such as obesity, heart-disease and type 2 diabetes.
- 4
Explain the role of governments in formulating, implementing and enforcing modern food law at the national and international level.
- 5
Critically evaluate the role that food labelling and food-related claims play in driving food consumption in the population.
- 6
Critically evaluate how public policy, both health and non-health, may influence food consumption and nutritional status.
Workload and teaching
- Seminars12 hours
- Workshops24 hours
- Teaching approachProblem-based learning
- Teaching approachActive learning
- Teaching approachEnquiry-based learning
- Teaching approachOnline learning
- Teaching approachPeer assisted learning
The unit will have a minimum of 6 hours of directed activities per week, including a combination of teacher directed learning (1 hour seminar and 2 hour workshop), peer directed learning and online engagement. An additional 6 hours per week will be spent in private study time (library searches, reading and preparation of assignments).
Several assessments and activities involve you being given a nutrition-related problem that you are required to work through, research and provide a solution to.
Learning activities are designed to encourage you to develop your skills in analysis and critical thinking and applying your knowledge across different topics.
Much of the workshop content is delivered using an enquiry-based learning approach, where you are asked to engage with the learning process and question and critique the topics.
This unit utilizes online learning in the flipped classroom approach with you completing online pre- and post-class activities. Seminars and workshops have also been optimized for online learning, where social isolation regulations have required them to be delivered online.
You will have repeated opportunities to work in pairs or small groups to help each other to learn and build upon their own learning through discussions with their peers.
Learning resources
Technology resources
You will require access to a computer and the internet.
Where it fits
FSC5040 is part of 1 area of study in the 2022 handbook.
Contacts
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Margaret Murray
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Margaret Murray
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for FSC5040?
FSC5040 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
When is FSC5040 offered?
In 2022, FSC5040 runs in Semester 2 at Clayton.
Does FSC5040 have an exam?
No. FSC5040 has 4 assessment tasks and no exam.
Which majors and minors include FSC5040?
FSC5040 is part of Environmental security.