UnitLevel 2Undergraduate

NUT2102 Food: Science, composition and skills

Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

NUT2102 Food: Science, composition and skills is a level 2, 12-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, offered in 2025 in Semester 1 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites and unlocks 1 unit.

Credit points
12
Offered in 2025
Semester 1
Clayton
Assessment
Exam 30%
and 4 other tasks

This is the 2025 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.

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Requisites

Before NUT2102

No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.

After NUT2102

1 unit list NUT2102 as a prerequisite or corequisite.

Enrolment rules

Prerequisite: NUT1010 & NUT1102

Corequisite: Must be enrolled in course M2001.

Overview

This unit provides a strong foundation in supporting you to become experts in the area of food - from the cellular scientific makeup and composition to food microbiology, food regulations and standards coupled with skill based acquisition, exploring the diversity of food and eating practices with an application to nutrition and dietetic practice.

Theme 4 (Food from Science to Systems) is the key theme explored in this unit with integration from Theme 1 (Personal Development and Professional Practice) as you extend your skills in cultural competency and communication and the scientific underpinnings from Theme 3 (Nutrition Fundamentals of Health and Disease).

In this unit, you will acquire food preparation skills; become familiar with Australia's diverse foods and modify recipes and menus to meet specific nutritional goals.

You will gain an appreciation of micro-organisms and the important role they play in food production and in food-borne disease; becoming proficient in risk assessment and safe food handling practices.

They will discuss the regulatory system set up in Australia to control food safety, food labelling and food content and gain experience in evaluating the role of science and politics within the regulatory decision-making process.

Offerings in 2025

Teaching periodCampusMode
First semesterClaytonOn campus

Assessment

  • Food microbiology reportWritten
    10%
  • Food labelling report (individual - 1,500 words)Written
    20%
  • Food regulation technical report (group - 4,000 words)Written
    20%
  • Recipe analysis and modification report (individual - 1,000 words)Written
    20%
  • Final Exam (2hr 10 mins)Examination
    30%

Learning outcomes

When you finish this unit, you should be able to:

  1. 1

    Identify macronutrient and micronutrient composition from the main food groups and cultures found in Australia

  2. 2

    Apply skills in meal preparation, recipe analysis and recipe modification and interpret the influence of portion and serve size to meet specific nutritional goals

  3. 3

    Describe the diversity of microorganisms and discuss their relationships in the context of food, nutrition, health and disease

  4. 4

    Demonstrate laboratory techniques required to culture and identify microorganisms within the context of food safety

  5. 5

    Describe the format and content of the Australian Food Standards Code and explain the role of FSANZ, Commonwealth and State governments in formulating, implementing and enforcing modern food law

  6. 6

    Outline the fundamental principles of toxicology and risk assessment, including HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points), and apply the principles to the setting of food standards.

  7. 7

    Critically evaluate regulations relating to food labelling, food composition and food-related claims in Australia and assess compliance across the food supply

Workload and teaching

  • Workshops24 hours
  • Laboratories18 hours
  • Seminars24 hours
  • Lectures30 hours
  • Teaching approachActive learning
Approx 9 hours contact per week
 
12 x 2 hour workshop (24 hours)
5 hours lecture per week (60 hours)
6 x 2 hour kitchen laboratories (12 hours)
3 x 3 hour microbiology laboratories
 
Approx 20 hours per week including contact hours and private study

For full details of the teaching approach to this unit, please refer to Moodle.

Learning resources

Required resources

See Moodle for details about required resources.

Contacts

Unit Coordinators
Dr Angela Clark
Professor Maxine Bonham
Chief Examiners
Professor Maxine Bonham

Common questions

What are the prerequisites for NUT2102?

NUT2102 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.

What can I take after NUT2102?

NUT2102 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 1 unit, including NUT3007.

When is NUT2102 offered?

In 2025, NUT2102 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton.

Does NUT2102 have an exam?

Yes. The exam is worth 30% of the final mark, alongside 4 other tasks.

More details

Credit points
12
Level
2
Study level
Undergraduate
Faculty
Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Organisational unit
Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food
Type
Coursework
EFTSL
0.250
Student contribution
SCA Band 2
Study abroad
Not available