Bachelor of Nutrition Science (Dietetics Pathway)

In this course, you will study a broad range of subjects that unlock a variety of career opportunities across health and nutrition industries. Gain a comprehensive understanding of:

• the role of food in disease prevention
• nutrition education and research
• food choice and intake
• food regulation
• nutritional physiology
• lifespan nutrition
• sustainable food systems
• the science of food.

To add diversity to your degree and expand your career opportunities, you can choose elective units in complementary areas such as food innovation, health promotion, psychology, physical activity and health or exercise science.

A major in food innovation will prepare you for a career in the food industry, where your knowledge of nutrition and food composition will facilitate the creation and marketing of food products that help to improve health.

You will gain 75 hours of valuable practical experience through the Food and Nutrition Practicum core unit in your final year. This allows you to build industry experience and connections while applying your skills alongside established nutritionists or food industry professionals.

Following the completion of your bachelor degree, you can take your next step towards becoming a dietitian with the Master of Dietetics. Once completed, you will be eligible to apply for full membership with Dietetics Australia (DA) and the Accredited Practicing Dietitian (APD) program and work in all areas of dietetics. You can visit our nutrition and dietetics careers page for more information.

If you don't elect to continue with the Master of Dietetics pathway, your career outcomes will mirror those of Bachelor of Nutrition Science graduates. As a nutritionist, you will have the knowledge and skills to confidently provide evidence-based advice to communities regarding food and its impact on our health. Graduates of the Bachelor of Nutrition Science (Dietetics Pathway) will be well prepared for careers requiring knowledge surrounding:

• nutrition
• population health
• food analysis
• food sustainability
• food policy
• nutrition for disease prevention
• assessing and evaluating food intake.

You will gain the skills required to perform a range of roles across:

• advocacy
• nutrition promotion
• nutrition media and marketing
• quality assurance
• self-employment and consulting

If you have completed the Food Innovation major, you will be prepared for careers requiring knowledge of:

• consumer behaviour
• education and research
• the food industry
• food policy and regulation
• sensory analysis
• product development
• food quality and safety
• food manufacturing.

Visit our nutrition careers page for more on the different pathways available to you.

To complete the Bachelor of Nutrition Science (Dietetic Pathway), students must attain 24 credit points. Most units (think of units as 'subjects') are equal to 1 credit point. In order to gain 24 credit points, you will need to study 24 units (AKA 'subjects') over your entire degree. Most students choose to study 4 units per trimester, and usually undertake two trimesters each year.

The course comprises a total of 24 credit points, which must include the following:

• 18 core units (these are compulsory)
• Completion of 4 HSN coded (nutrition and food) elective units.
• 2 elective unit(s) which can be selected from any faculty (you can choose which ones to study)
• No more than 10 credit points may be taken at level 1 and at least 6 credit points must be taken at level 3
• Students must enrol and pass DAI001 Academic Integrity Module (0-credit-point compulsory unit).
• Completion of HSN010 Food and Nutrition Laboratory Safety prior to the first laboratory based unit in this course.
• Completion of SLE010 Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program prior to the first SLE coded unit.
• Completion of HSE010 Exercise and Sport Laboratory Safety prior to commencing HSE208.
• Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.

The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater.

You can also refer to the Recognition of prior learning system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.

We strongly recommend that any students wishing to apply for this course complete the approved Master of Dietetics prerequisite units at Deakin, rather than applying for Recognition of prior learning (RPL) after completing similar units from other universities. You can find detailed information on the course entry requirements and frequently asked questions relating to the Master of Dietetics here.

The reason for this is that the process for assessing eligibility of a unit for RPL is different to assessing the eligibility of a unit to meet prerequisites. There may be instances where a student receives RPL for one of the approved Deakin prerequisite units, however the unit is not considered to have met the Master of Dietetics prerequisites.