NUTRITION AND DISEASE
DTN3NDS
2015
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
In this subject, students will develop an understanding of the relationships between nutrition and disease. Students will explore key diseases in which nutritional factors have a role in the aetiology (as a platform for future studies in the prevention and management of nutrition-related diseases). Students will be introduced to food microbiology, and will gain an understanding of food and water-borne illnesses caused by microbial contamination. Students will consolidate skills in critical appraisal of the scientific literature in relation to the pathophysiology of nutrition-related disease.
School: School of Allied Health
Credit points: 15
Subject Co-ordinator: Jessica Radcliffe
Available to Study Abroad Students: Yes
Subject year level: Year Level 3 - UG
Exchange Students: Yes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites: DTN2PNU or AGR2PNU. Must be enrolled in one of the following courses: HZHSDP - Bachelor of Health Sciences and Master of Dietetic Practice, HBHN - Bachelor of Human Nutrition, HZNDP - Bachelor of Applied Science and Master of Dietetic Practice, SBNS - Bachelor of Human Nutrition or require Coordinator's Approval. Must have passed 120 credit points at year 1, 2 or 3 or require subject coordinator's approval.
Co-requisites: N/A
Incompatible subjects: N/A
Equivalent subjects: N/A
Special conditions: N/A
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | Essential Microbiology and Hygiene for Food Professionals | Prescribed | Roller, S 2012 | 1ST END, HODDER ARNOLD UK |
| Readings | Understanding nutrition: Australian and New Zealand edition | Recommended | Whitney, E, Rolfes, S R, Crowe, T, Cameron-Smith, D & Walsh, A 2011 | 1ST EDN, CENGAGE LEARNING AUSTRALIA, MELBOURNE. |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Determine the likely source of contamination in a given case of food or water--borne disease and determine strategies capable of prevention. You should be able to: (a) explain the principles of microbiology; (b) discuss the optimal conditions for microbial growth and transmission; (c) identify the key microorganisms implicated in food and water-borne disease and in food spoilage; (d) explain how and under what circumstances food and water-borne microorganisms cause disease; (e) discuss strategies for the prevention of food and water-borne disease and food spoilage.
- Activities:
- Interactive lectures, practical laboratory classes and practical reports.
02. Use your knowledge of the role of nutrition in the aetiology of given diseases to identify population groups at increased or reduced risk, and explain the associated epidemiological evidence and pathophysiology. You should be able to: (a) identify and explain the epidemiological evidence supporting the role of specified nutritional and dietary factors that (i) protect against, or (ii) increase the risk of given diseases; (b) compare and contrast populations in whom different dietary and nutritional practices are associated with different patterns of disease; (c) describe the biological mechanisms by which specified nutritional and dietary factors (i) protect against, or (ii) increase the risk of given diseases; (d) discuss the role of nutrition in the aetiology of specified diseases.
- Activities:
- Interactive lectures, tutorial-based dicussions and group oral presentation.
03. Critically appraise a scientific paper examining the role of nutritional factors in the aetiology of a disease. You should be able to: (a) explain the rationale for a published research study and discuss the adequacy of the study's design for addressing its aims; (b) interpret and explain nutrition-related data presented in a published nutrition paper, including explaining the statistical significance of results; (c) identify and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of a published nutrition paper; (d) discuss the contribution the study's findings make to knowledge of the role of nutrition in the aetiology of the disease; (e) relate the findings reported in a nutrition paper to nutrition and dietetic practice by discussing its implications.
- Activities:
- Tutorial-based dicussions and written report.
04. Identify sources of food contamination and water-borne disease.
- Activities:
- Interactive lectures, practical laboratory classes, practical reports.
05. Explain the role of nutrition in disease
- Activities:
- Interactive lectures, tutorial-based discussion
Melbourne, 2015, Semester 2, Day
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: 88
Enrolment information: class size- micro pracs max sso
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Jessica Radcliffe
Class requirements
TutorialWeek: 32 - 42
One 1.0 hours tutorial every two weeks on weekdays during the day from week 32 to week 42 and delivered via face-to-face.
"One 2-hour Tutorial every two weeks on weekdays during the day from week 32 to week 42 and delivered via face to face"
PracticalWeek: 31 - 43
One 2.0 hours practical per study period on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
"Students will complete one 2-hour laboratory class per week for 6 weeks."
LectureWeek: 31 - 43
One 2.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
LectureWeek: 31 - 33
One 1.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 33 and delivered via face-to-face.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| One 1,200-word individual written assignment. | 25 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05 | |
| One 2-hour written examination. | 50 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05 | |
| Practical report. | Part one (300 word report) and part two (group report, 300-400 words per student). | 25 | 01 |
| Tutorial attendance. | Hurdle requirement: students must attend at least 80% of tutorials to pass the subject. | 01, 02 |