Key facts
UNE unit code: NUTR320
*You are viewing the 2027 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.
- Trimester 2 - Online
- Trimester 3 - Online
- Yes
- No
- No
- 6
Unit information

Adult humans eat approximately 1000kg of food every year. How do our bodies process and utilise this mountain of food? Our understanding of human nutrition and metabolism is rapidly evolving as new knowledge about the impact of various factors on health and well-being is incorporated into our everyday lives.
This unit introduces you to current concepts in human nutrition and metabolism. Using an evidence-based approach, you will explore nutrition across the lifespan. Topics include the impact of nutrition on health and disease states, fad diets and integrated metabolism, and the use of dietary assessment in evaluating the adequacy and health status of diets.
This unit offers opportunities to extend your critical thinking and communication skills, as you discuss controversies in the field and assess product nutritional claims, framed by current evidence for best practice and an understanding of the biochemical pathways involved in metabolism.
Offerings
For further information about UNE's teaching periods, please go to Principal Dates.
| Teaching period | Mode/location |
|---|---|
| Trimester 2 | Online |
| Trimester 3 | Online |
*Offering is subject to availability
Intensive schools
There are no intensive schools required for this unit.
Enrolment rules
Notes
Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.
Unit coordinator(s)

Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- apply a broad and coherent theoretical knowledge to describe and discuss the nature of human nutrition and the use of the evidence-based approach in this field;
- apply a broad range of theoretical and technical knowledge to describe in depth the contribution of diet to the development of various diseases and/or the maintenance of health;
- use well-developed judgement to critically analyse controversial statements about the contribution of diet to health;
- thoroughly analyse and evaluate dietary intake and energy expenditure data to determine whether diets are adequate and healthful;
- apply well-developed judgement and responsibility to assess product nutritional claims; and
- apply a broad range of theoretical and technical knowledge to describe in depth the biochemical pathways involved in metabolism and the endocrine regulation of human metabolism.
Assessment information
Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
| Title | Must Complete | Weight | Offerings | Assessment Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1 - Online Quiz | Yes | 5% | All offerings | Online Quiz. It is mandatory to attempt and submit this assessment. To achieve a pass in this unit, student must attempt all the assessments, and achieve 50% overall in the unit. No. Words: 300 |
| Assessment 5 - Live Debate - Assurance Task | Yes | 50% | All offerings | Live Debate. Each student will present three debates. This debate will be conducted live in the presence of an academic panel and peers. To achieve a pass in this unit, student must attempt all the assessments, achieve 50% or above in this assessment and 50% or above overall in the unit. |
| Assessment 2: Essay | Yes | 5% | All offerings | Essay. Case study development. It is mandatory to attempt and submit this assessment. To achieve a pass in this unit, student must attempt all the assessments, and achieve 50% overall in the unit. No. Words: 500 |
| Assessment 3: Essay | Yes | 20% | All offerings | Essay. Critique of nutritional literature. It is mandatory to attempt and submit this assessment. To achieve a pass in this unit, student must attempt all the assessments and achieve 50% overall in the unit. No. Words: 1400 |
| Assessment 4: Essay | Yes | 20% | All offerings | Essay. Dietary analysis and critical evaluation. It is mandatory to attempt and submit this assessment. To achieve a pass in this unit, student must attempt all the assessments and achieve 50% overall in the unit. No. Words: 1400 |
Learning resources
Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Textbook information will be displayed approximately 8 weeks prior to the commencement of the teaching period. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.
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