Nutrition
The School of Public Health has been training and educating highly employable nutrition graduates for 25 years. In addition, the School of Public Health has strong state government and industry links which help to ensure graduates have extensive hands-on experience in the working life of nutritionists.
From one of our students...
Having dual qualifications in Nutrition and Health Promotion has given me the change to work in some amazing areas in Australia, and overseas, with some fantastic people and experiences...
Kym Blechynden, Nutrition Graduate
Read More >> | More Testimonials
Reasons to do this course
- Most established nutrition course in WA.
- This course gives you direct entry into a career in dietetics.
- This science-based course provides students with high-level communication skills.
- Passionate and practical teaching staff.
Contact Information
School of Public Health
Tel: +61 (08) 9266 4583
Fax: +61 (08) 9266 4593
Email Enquries (click)
Read About our 2009 Study Tour
In November 2009, the Nutrition & Dietetic Programs in the School of Public Health arranged a study tour to Japan for fourteen undergraduate students (2nd & 3rd yr) and one PhD candidate. The goals of the tour were to: strengthen the partnership with Kagawa Institute of Nutrition University, Japan and support internationalisation of students in the nutrition degree...
Read More >> | More Overseas Stories
What is Nutrition?
Nutrition is the science of how the human body obtains and uses nutrients from food for maintenance, growth and renewal of body tissues necessary for life.
Nutrition is one of the newest biological sciences and its study integrates basic science, such as biochemistry and physiology, with the latest research findings in nutrition in order to understand how the human body uses nutrients from foods to sustain life. Highly trained professionals in nutrition are needed to provide expert advice on the nutrition, safety and health benefits of foods for individuals, the community and the food industry.
What does a Nutritionist do?
Nutritionists advise individuals and the community about food choices for a healthy and nutritious diet. Nutritionists do this by using their extensive knowledge of the nutritive value of foods, the important nutrients required by the body at different stages of development, and the role of nutrients and diet in health and the prevention of disease. Nutritionists can be involved in the delivery of public health nutrition programs to communities and can also research the role of nutrients and dietary patterns in health and disease.
About our Nutrition Program
This course combines theoretical foundations and practical experience to ensure you have the skills to be a competent professional in the food industry and the food and nutrition field. You will cover the fundamental science of food and nutrition, chemistry, microbiology and human biology in your first year. In your second year you will examine theoretical and practical nutritional biochemistry and physiology in order to understand the use of nutrients by the body, with food science and the practice of public health. Your final year will be dedicated to specialising in areas of public health nutrition, including community and individual nutritional assessment, life-stage nutrient requirements and diets for health and prevention of disease. You will learn about nutrition research and undertake your field experience with an external agency..
Our graduates are professionally recognised for associate membership with the Dietitians Association of Australia.
General Information: Study Options
Undergraduate Study Options
There are two study options for this area of study. Students can choose to take a three year BSc (Nutrition) or a four year double degree BSc (Health Promotion/BSc (Nutrition).
The BSc (Nutrition) prepares students for a number of postgraduate study options. The first two years of the BSc (Nutrition) provide the theoretical and skills base for the third year of the course. These skills include physiology, biochemistry and the foundations of epidemiology. The third year allows students to develop their skills for working in food and related industries or public health nutrition. Students also participate in research relating to nutritional status. Upon completion of an undergraduate degree in Nutrition there are a number of career options that graduates might wish to pursue. The range of possible postgraduate courses are listed below.
Information about scholarships and closing dates can be found on the Curtin Scholarship website. You must complete the requirements of the BSc (Nutrition) to be eligible to apply for postgraduate dietetics.
The second study option in the area of Nutrition is the double degree in Health Promotion and Nutrition. This is a four-year degree that selects from units in the single health promotion and nutrition degrees. The focus of units is on the public health role of nutrition. There is less emphasis on laboratory-based expertise and more emphasis on the planning, implementation and evaluation of health promotion programs. Upon completion of the double degree in Health Promotion and Nutrition a graduate would directly pursue public health nutritionist, project officer or health promotion officer positions. Students who complete the double degree program are not eligible to apply for postgraduate dietetics.
Post-graduate Study Options
There are a range of nutrition units that can be taken as part of a range of Graduate Certificates, Postgraduate diplomas or Masters courses in areas like Health Promotion or Public Health for students who have an undergraduate degree in a non-nutrition area or who are returning to postgraduate study and wish to undertaken advanced practice units in nutrition. Curtin postgraduate nutrition units are listed under the various postgraduate study options descriptions.
Curtin University of part of the Australian Public Health Nutrition Academic Collaboration (APHNAC) that enables Curtin students to cross institutionally enroll in advanced practice level units in public health nutrition from eight other universities. More information on these units is available from the APHNAC website (www.aphnac.com).
Courses offered
Undergraduate Courses
- Bachelor of Science (Nutrition) - [ view as pdf ]
- Bachelor of Science (Health Sciences) (Honours): Nutrition and Food Science Major- [ view as pdf ]
Double Degree
Graduate Certificate/Postgraduate Diploma
- Postgraduate Diploma in Dietetics
- Graduate Certificate in Food Science and Technology - [ view as pdf ]
- Graduate Diploma in Food Science and Technology - [ view as pdf ]
- Graduate Certificate in Public Health - Nutrition Major
Higher Degree by Research - Master & Doctoral Programs
Career Opportunities
Nutrition Graduates may find careers in Australian or overseas as a public health nutritionist, nutritionist, research assistant, or a project officer. They are found working in health agencies, community food groups, the food industry, educational institutions, in the government. Most graduates undertake an additional year of study in order to provide a clear career path. The most common postgraduate courses are in health promotion, dietetics, food science, research or education.
- See our Careers section for career choices available to our graduates.
- To find out what types of career pathways and exciting employment our graduates have had please view our graduate stories.
Information & Resources
- Staff and Lecturers for Nutrition: Click here to view information on the staff working in this area.
- Course Coordinators (undergrad)
- Course Coordinators (postgrad)
- Curtin Online Handbook
(Program& Course Information) - Online Unit Outlines
- Fees
- Student Resources:
Curtin University and the School of Public Health have many resources available to students.
