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 research and development of new food products and can also research the role of nutrients and dietary patterns in health and disease.

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).

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 own research project.

• 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.

Bachelor of Science (Nutrition) - [ view as pdf ]

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.