FSC5040 Food, nutrition and health
Faculty of Science
FSC5040 Food, nutrition and health is a level 5, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2026 in Semester 2 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites and unlocks 1 unit.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 2
- Clayton
- Assessment
- No exam
- 3 tasks
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before FSC5040
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After FSC5040
1 unit list FSC5040 as a prerequisite or corequisite.
Enrolment rules
COREQUISITE: Enrolment in Master of Food Science and Agribusiness or Master of Environment and Sustainability or an approved student exchange program.
Overview
This unit introduces fundamental concepts in human nutrition. You will explore dietary guidelines and nutrient reference values as frameworks that describe optimal food and nutrient intake for health. You will examine current population dietary patterns, including key macro and micro-nutrients, and how these play a role in nutrition-related chronic disease. You will be introduced to and apply food regulation standards as they relate to nutrition information and claims on food. This builds to a ‘bigger picture’ view of food and nutrition, where you will examine the food system and drivers of both human and planetary health.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Second semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- Presentation25%
- Critical appraisalDemonstration40%
- Persuasive articleWritten35%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Describe the macro and micro nutrients required for human health and apply dietary guidelines and reference values to assess population nutritional intake;
- 2
Develop food product re-formulation strategies to modify nutrient intake for the prevention of diet-related chronic diseases;
- 3
Evaluate and apply food standards and nutrition labelling systems;
- 4
Design and prioritize food system-level changes for the benefit of human and planetary health;
- 5
Use critical thinking skills and appropriate evidence to formulate innovative solutions to nutrition-related problems.
Workload and teaching
- Workshops25 hours
- Seminars12 hours
- Teaching approachActive learning
- Teaching approachEnquiry-based learning
- Teaching approachPeer assisted learning
- Teaching approachProblem-based learning
- Teaching approachOnline learning
The unit will have a minimum of 6 hours of directed activities per week, including a combination of teacher directed learning (one- hour seminar and two-hour workshop), peer directed learning and online engagement. An additional six hours per week will be spent in private study time (library searches, reading and preparation of assignments).
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.
You will have repeated opportunities to work in pairs or small groups to help each other to learn and build upon your own learning through discussions with peers.
Several assessments and activities involve being given a nutrition-related problem that you are required to work through, research and provide a solution to.
This unit utilizes online learning in the flipped classroom approach with online pre- and post-class activities. Seminars have also been optimized for online learning and are synchronously delivered online.
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 2026 handbook.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Kay Nguo
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Kay Nguo
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for FSC5040?
FSC5040 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
What can I take after FSC5040?
FSC5040 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 1 unit, including FSC5041.
When is FSC5040 offered?
In 2026, FSC5040 runs in Semester 2 at Clayton.
Does FSC5040 have an exam?
No. FSC5040 has 3 assessment tasks and no exam.
Which majors and minors include FSC5040?
FSC5040 is part of Environmental security.