The Bachelor of Human Nutrition, Bachelor of Exercise Science requires four years of full-time study (or the equivalent part-time). The course is offered by the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.

Admission requirements

The minimum requirements for consideration for entry to all undergraduate courses are specified in detail in the University Entry Requirements.

A knowledge of SACE Stage 2 Biology is assumed.

Course aims

The course aims to produce dual qualified graduates who can deliver quality nutrition and exercise practice within a wide range of settings public health, health education or health promotion. Students are provided with core and foundation knowledge of human structure, function and behaviour, biochemistry, nutrition and physical activity and then apply this knowledge to a variety of nutrition and exercise based scenarios as a means of improving performance across a variety of interdisciplinary health settings.

Learning outcomes 

At the completion of the course, students are expected to have:

  • the knowledge, skills and attitudes to undertake nutrition practice in a range of settings including public health and health promotion;
  • the theoretical knowledge in human structure and function to the study of acute and chronic exercise changes in a variety of sporting and health settings;
  • the knowledge to understand the benefits of exercise for the purposes of optimal ageing; to promote health or for optimising athletic performance;
  • the knowledge to understand the relationship between physical activity, sedentary behaviours and chronic immune, cardiovascular and musculoskeletal conditions;
  • the knowledge to understand the physiological responses to exercise and to use this knowledge to develop individualised exercise approaches for health promotion and athletic performance;
  • the ability to demonstrate an integrated understanding of the sub-disciplines of exercise science;
  • an understanding of the principles of primary health care and the impact of social, political, economic, environmental and cultural factors on food choice and engagement in physical activity and the health of individuals, families and communities;
  • an understanding of the ethical and legal concepts for, and implications to, professional practice;
  • proficiency in various aspects of communication including group work, oral and written communication, including demonstrating conduct that is sensitive to client diversity and equity;
  • developed independent learning and reflective practice skills to allow capacity for self-evaluation and management that is strategic and focuses on quality nutrition and exercise science practice;
  • an understanding of the importance of interdisciplinary approaches to the promotion of nutritional health, physical activity and well-being;
  • an understanding of the scope and potential of the disciplines of nutrition and exercise science;
  • an understanding of the importance of a commitment to the nutrition and exercise science disciplines including individual and collective professional development;
  • an understanding of the concept of evidence-based practice as it is applied to individual approaches to nutrition and exercise; physical activity and health or sports performance; and
  • the ability to promote informed and critical questioning and thinking.

Program of study

To qualify for the Bachelor of Human Nutrition, Bachelor of Exercise Science a student must successfully complete 144 units of study with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic.

The award of a grade of Fail (F) in the same topic on more than one occasion or failure to complete the award within seven consecutive years may constitute prima facie evidence of unsatisfactory progress for the purposes of the University''s Policy on Student Progres.

Core - Year 1 topics

BIOL1102 Molecular Basis of Life (4.5 units)
CHEM1202 Chemistry for the Life Sciences (4.5 units)
EXSC1001 Fundamentals of Exercise Science (4.5 units)
HLTH1004 Human Bioscience (4.5 units)
NUTD1105 Food Systems (4.5 units)
NUTD1106 Nutrition, Physical Activity and Health (4.5 units)
PHYT2001 Exercise and Muscle Physiology (4.5 units)

Plus one of:
CHEM1101 Chemical Structure and Bonding (4.5 units)
CHEM1201 General Chemistry (4.5 units)

Core  - Year 2 topics

BIOL2771 Biochemistry (4.5 units)
EXSC2XXX Exercise Prescription and Movement Learning (4.5 units)
HLTH1003 Legal and Ethical Aspects of Health Care (4.5 units)
MMED2931 Human Physiology (4.5 units)
MMED2932 Integrative Human Physiology (4.5 units)
MMED3933 Biochemistry of Human Disease (4.5 units)
NUTD2101 Nutrition Across the Lifecycle (4.5 units)
NUTD2102 Food Products and Preparation (4.5 unit

Core - Year 3 topics

ENGR2732 Biomechanics (4.5 units)
HLTH2101 Critical Social Analysis ofHealth (4.5 units)
HLTH2102 Indigenous Health for Health Sciences (4.5 units)
HLTH2105 Health: A Psychological Perspective (4.5 units)
MMED3930 Sensory and Motor Systems (4.5 units)
MMED3932 Body Systems (4.5 units)
NUTD3101 Fundamentals of Nutritional Epidemiology (4.5 units)
NUTD3102 Nutrients Role and Function (4.5 units)

Core - Year 4 topics

EXSC3XXX Advanced Topics in Exercise Science (4.5 units)
HLTH3010 Psychology of Exercise, Health and Behaviour Change (4.5 units)
HLTH3102 Qualitative Methods for Social Health Research (4.5 units)
HLTH3105 Quantitative Methods for Social Health Research (4.5 units)
EXSC3XXX Professional Practice in Exercise Science (4.5 units)
NUTD2105 Individual, Social and Environmental Perspectives on Food Consumption (4.5 units)
NUTD3107 Public Health and Community Nutrition (4.5 units)
NUTD3203 Nutrition for Sports Performance (4.5 units