Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Course

The Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics aims to prepare graduates with the professional and personal qualities required for future dietetic practice. The course integrates academic teaching and learning with clinical, population health, research and management experience and is undertaken in both academic and professional practice settings.

The curriculum has been carefully designed to integrate a thorough theoretical background with hands-on professional experience.

The graduate will:

• have knowledge in human nutrition science,food use in society,food science,nutrition education and behavioural science,nutritional assessment,clinical dietetics,community health and population health,organisation and management,and nutrition research and evaluation.

The graduate will also possess the professional skills and ability to:

• interpret and translate nutrition science into practical information
• conduct timely and appropriate clinical nutrition assessments
• manage nutrition care in clinical and community settings
• manage nutrition programs in the community
• influence and contribute to a safe secure and nutritious food supply
• conduct research and evaluation
• maintain professional and ethical conduct as outlined in the DAA Code of Professional Conduct*
• manage self-development
• communicate as a team member
• priority set
• maintain records
• self evaluate.

* Available at http://www.daa.asn.au

Assessment for credit for prior studies will be made on an individual basis.

Special requirements

Health requirements

In order to meet health requirements for working in the wards of teaching hospitals and for protection of other students and themselves, students in the Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics need to comply with certain precautionary procedures. These consist of confidential tests for immune status (including blood tests and skin tests), receiving vaccines and having x-rays where the evidence indicates these are appropriate and there are no specific contraindications in individual cases.

Prospective students should note that on enrolment, students are provided with detailed written information and, as appropriate, counselling about the effect that HIV or hepatitis B infection may have on the ability of health care workers to practise their profession. Additional information is provided to students in their third year when they are in contact with patients as part of their clinical studies.

Vaccinations

This policy is in accordance with the National Health and Medical Research Council advice that educational institutions training students in health sciences should ensure that such students are protected as far as possible by vaccination against risks of infection.

The faculty recommends that all students accept responsibility for having up-to-date immunisations before commencing the course. Recommended immunisations include diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, tuberculosis and hepatitis B.

Police checks and Working with Children checks

Organisations that host clinical and community placements require students to have current Police and Working with Children checks regarding their suitability to undertake such placements. All enrolled and prospective students are advised that they will be required to obtain Police and Working with Children checks prior to undertaking their professional placements. Working with Children checks are valid for five years and are available free. Police checks must be applied and paid for annually. However, in some community partnered programs, there may be a requirement to have a police check renewed every six months.

Clinical practice units

This course requires students to undertake off-campus clinical placements. In the clinical setting students will have an opportunity to apply theory to practice under supervision. Attendance is mandatory for the clinical component of each unit.

Where a student's skill or knowledge is found to be inadequate, access to the clinical component of the unit will be denied. A student may be withdrawn from a clinical practicum if required skills and knowledge are deemed inadequate, or on other grounds deemed appropriate by the head of school.

This course meets the accreditation requirements of the Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA).

Students complete 26 compulsory units, some of which have clinical practice requirements.

The first two years of the course draw on the expertise of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences to provide a solid understanding of the science of dietetics, as well as examining the broader societal aspects of food, and include core units from the Bachelor of Biomedical Science. The second two years take place primarily in the professional practice setting and provide experience in practical dietetic skills, nutrition management of illnesses, food service operation and management, health care systems, public health and nutritional program planning. In addition, issues relating to rural health, primary care and community health will be explored.

All units are 6 points unless otherwise indicated.

First year

First semester

• BME1130 Health and human behaviour
• BMS1011 Biomedical chemistry
• BMS1021 Cells, tissues and organisms
• BND1010 Human nutrition: An introduction to nutrients

Second semester

• BMS1042 Biomedical science and society
• BMS1062 Molecular biology
• BND1022 Food chemistry
• BND1032 Social nutrition

Second year

First semester

• BMS2011 Structure of the human body
• BND2011 Nutritional physiology
• BND2021 Nutritional biochemistry
• BND2031 Health psychology for dietitians

Second semester

• BND2042 Nutrition and immunology
• BND2052 Applied food science
• BND2062 Food microbiology
• BND2072 Introduction to health care systems

Third year

First semester

• BND3011 Food science and skills
• BND3082 Public health nutrition
• BND3031 Health education and promotion
• BND3041 Nutrition across the life span

Second semester

• BND3052 Clinical dietetics I (18 points)
• BND3021 Nutrition assessment skills

Fourth year

First semester

• BND4011 Clinical dietetics II (18 points)
• BND4021 Food service management

Second semester

• BND4032 Clinical dietetics III
• BND4042 Program planning (18 points)

Students may exit with a Bachelor of Nutrition Science after successful completion of three years of the course.

Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics