Key facts
UNE unit code: NUTR311
*You are viewing the 2027 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.
- Not offered in 2027
- Yes
- No
- No
- 6
Unit information

This unit explores the role of nutrition in maintaining health and preventing disease across all life stages, from conception and pregnancy to infancy, adolescence, adulthood, and old age. You will examine how changing nutritional needs influence health outcomes, as well as the relationship between diet, health, and disease. Key topics include the impact of inadequate nutrition on disease onset, factors affecting health across different population groups, and strategies for the prevention and management of both chronic and acute diseases.
By understanding how nutrition requirements vary across the lifespan and within diverse populations, you will gain insights into the broader role of diet in supporting lifelong health and wellbeing.
Intensive schools
There are no intensive schools required for this unit.
Enrolment rules
Notes
Students should have previous knowledge on the basic nutrition science and physiology of human body to understand the relationship between nutrition, health and disease.
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:
- analyse the fundamental role of nutrition and diet as determinants of health, identifying key physiological and societal impacts;
- analyse life time changes across different stages of life to determine evidence-based nutritional needs for optimal health and development.;
- examine the influence of factors including genotype, diet, lifestyle, and exposure to environmental and biological stressors on individual health status and disease susceptibility; and
- assess nutritional losses associated with chronic and acute conditions and infections, and evaluate the impact of social and psychological considerations on nutritional status and risk in affected individuals.
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 Research Project | Yes | 20% | All offerings | Conducting a research project on their choice of disease or nutrient to develop the relationship between nutrient and disease.
|
| Assessment 2 Group Video Presentation | Yes | 20% | All offerings | Students will develop and communicate a 5-minute video presentation as a group work for a relevant nutritional recommendations based on evidence-based approach for different population groups.
|
| Assessment 3 Case study/Problem based learning | Yes | 20% | All offerings | Students will develop a metabolic pathway for a case study to develop a nutritional intervention to understand the interaction between nutrition, diet, health and disease. No. Words: 2000 |
| Assessment 4 Development of a Scientific Research proposal | Yes | 40% | All offerings | Students will develop a research proposal, read the literature, identify a knowledge gap and develop the proposal based on current literature on answerable research question with appropriate health outcome measures. This can be a further progress to assessment 1 to build an advanced scientific knowledge in the field.
|
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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