NUT1002 - Evaluating the evidence: Nutrition and population health - 2017

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Undergraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food

Coordinator(s)

Zoe Davidson

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2017 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit will introduce students to epidemiology and biostatistics as the core of population health and nutrition research and practice. This will include consideration of basic statistics, study design, quantitative and qualitative methods of inquiry and ethical issues related to research and population health interventions. Emphasis is placed on a population view of health, nutrition and disease and the social determinants of health and the application of epidemiology and statistics in assessment of disease in population and the effects of nutrition interventions. An introduction to the concepts and approaches to working in population health and nutrition will also be explored

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Interpret the demographics of the Australian population including Indigenous, minority and disadvantaged groups, their nutrition and health issues.
  2. Explore the health and nutrition needs of priority population groups in Australia.
  3. Evaluate a socio-ecological approach to improving health.
  4. Search the scientific literature related to common questions on nutrition and health.
  5. Evaluate the scientific literature, including study designs, related to nutrition and health and communicate findings.
  6. Design quality research questions on nutrition and health.
  7. Identify and apply quantitative statistical analysis using methods common to nutrition research and interpret statistical results.
  8. Describe basic methods of qualitative data collection and analysis.

Assessment

  • Analysis of Indigenous program/policy (20%)
  • Critical analysis of a scientific paper (2,000 words) (20%)
  • Analytical essay (2,500 words) (20%)
  • Exams (40%) (Hurdle)

Workload requirements

8 hours contact per week plus 16 hours self directed study.

See also Unit timetable information

Chief examiner(s)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Prerequisites

Co-requisites

NUT1102 and must be enrolled in courses 3404, 4530 or 3956.