Introduction to Nutrition
UndergraduateLTU-DTN1012026
Course information for 2026 intake View information for 2025 course intake
Navigate the makeup of the human body. Uncover diet myths, and select the most nourishing foods using dietary guidelines. Calculate muscle to fat ratio to determine health. Weigh up the balance between what people eat and the energy they burn.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 22 Feb 2026
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Start dates
- 2 Mar 2026,
- 2 Mar 2026,
- 1 June 2026,
- 13 July 2026,
- 31 Aug 2026,
- 30 Nov 2026,
- View 2025 dates
- Price from
- $1,192
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Introduction to Nutrition
About this subject
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Describe methods for collecting dietary intake and estimating energy expenditure, and use principles of energy balance to determine an individual's energy balance status.
- Identify and describe common food sources, functions and absorption of micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) and discuss the causes and consequences of micronutrient deficiencies and toxicities.
- Identify and describe the main food sources, structure, functions, digestion and absorption of macronutrients (protein, fat, carbohydrate), water and alcohol and discuss the consequences of macronutrient imbalances.
- Apply simple techniques to measure body composition of individuals.
- Apply simple dietary analysis techniques to assess diets.
- Describe the role of the Australian Dietary Guidelines in health, and the application of food guides in assessing diets of populations.
- Introduction to Food and Nutrition
- Measurement of Dietary Intake
- Energy Expenditure and Body Composition
- Energy
- Macronutrients
- Micronutrients
- Nutrient Reference Values
- Dietary Guidelines
- Energy Balance and Fad Diets
In this subject you will study the major food sources, functions and metabolism of macro-nutrients (protein, fat and carbohydrate), alcohol, and micro-nutrients (vitamins and minerals) and be aware of the consequences of over and under-nutrition. Principles of energy balance (energy intake and energy expenditure), basic techniques for assessment of nutrient adequacy of individual diets and simple techniques for assessing body composition in adults will be explored. You will also be introduced to the Australian Dietary Guidelines and Nutrient Reference Values, and the use of food guides in assessing the diets of populations. You will also be introduced to the Nutrition Society of Australia Competencies. This subject includes professional learning, practical experiences or portfolio activities which contribute to the completion of the Career Ready AdvantageTM award.
- Evaluation of a diet (1000 words equivalent) (30%)
- Individual dietary analysis report (1400 words equivalent) (40%)
- One online quiz (60 minutes) (20%)
- One 30 minute quiz (10%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
The third university established in Victoria, La Trobe University has a diverse community of more than 38,000 students and staff. Its commitment to excellence in teaching and research prepares students to make a bold and positive impact in today's global community. La Trobe provides Open Universities Australia with its core tenets, entrepreneurship and sustainability.
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- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 17
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 15
Entry requirements
Equivalent subjects
You should not enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:
LTU-DTN111 (Not currently available)
Others
Past La Trobe University students who have previously completed DTN1NHW (Introduction to Nutrition) are ineligible to enrol in this subject.
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
Student feedback
17 student respondents between 17 Feb - 1 Sept 2025.
100%of students felt the study load was manageable
100%of students felt this subject helped them gain relevant skills
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
Bachelor of Food and Nutrition
UndergraduateLAT-HUN-DEG
Undergraduate Certificate in Food and Nutrition
UndergraduateLAT-FON-CTF
UndergraduateLAT-ART-DIP
UndergraduateLAT-ART-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-BUS-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-HSC-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-HSC-DIP
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Health Sciences
UndergraduateLAT-AHS-DEG
Undergraduate Certificate in Health Sciences
UndergraduateLAT-HSC-CTF
UndergraduateLAT-CRM-DEG
Bachelor of Psychological Science
UndergraduateLAT-PYS-DEG
Bachelor of Information Technology
UndergraduateLAT-TEC-DEG
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