Undergraduate - Course3865 - Honours degree of Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics

This course is an additional year of study which builds upon the knowledge and experience gained in course 3404 Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics. It allows students to develop their research skills and competencies, learn specific techniques and gain a deeper understanding of a selected aspect of human nutrition. Students undertake a research project under the supervision of an approved member of the academic or research staff. The choice of project and supervisor will be organised by the student in consultation with potential supervisors and the honours year adviser. This allows a high degree of flexibility in the type of research project that can be undertaken, while focusing on the general area of human nutrition and health.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 8, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate Attributes. For more information refer to http://opvclt.monash.edu.au/curriculum-by-design/aligning-course-outcomes-with-aqf-bologna.html.

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that graduates will be able to:

• critically review the scientific literature in their discipline
• understand the processes involved in the design, development and implementation of a research project
• develop a proposal for a research project and apply for ethics committee approval
• execute and analyse a research project, or a set of studies
• be proficient in computer based data manipulation , analysis, presentation and word
• write up scientific work in a report suitable to submit for publication
• demonstrate communication skills in both oral and written presentation to a specialist scientific audience
• refine or acquire a range of technical skills appropriate to their project
• gain insight into the research process in an area relating to the health sciences

To be eligible for entry to the Honours Degree of the Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics students are required to have:

• completed course 3404 Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics at Monash University, or a comparable graduate qualification in dietetics from another approved tertiary institution or completed a science-based degree with substantial nutrition content at Monash University, or another approved tertiary institution.
• a combined average of 70 per cent or higher in the final two years of their degree.

The head of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetic may make a case for a student who has demonstrated research potential but does not have a grade average that meets the requirements above.

The program consists of an individual major research project and a compulsory coursework component. The research project will constitute the major portion of the student's work. In addition all students will complete a research skills component of the course that is not directly related to their specific research projects. This component will focus on the development of key research skills including statistical analysis.

Students must complete the following units:

• BND4111 Research skills for dietitians
• BND4121 Honours research project 1
• BND4122 Honours research project 2

Honours degree of Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics