Nutrition Fundamentals
UndergraduateLTU-DTN2012025
The food people eat, and the energy they store or burn off, shapes body size, fitness and health levels. Learn techniques to weigh up nutritional value, measure body mass, assess energy intake, and how to maintain a balanced and healthy diet.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 24 Aug 2025
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Start dates
- 3 Mar 2025,
- 1 Sept 2025
- Price from
- $1,164
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Nutrition Fundamentals
About this subject
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Explain and critique methods for collecting dietary intake and estimating energy expenditure and apply these methods to determine an individual's energy balance status.
- Identify and describe the structure, metabolism and digestion, sources, and functions of macronutrients, water and alcohol and discuss the consequences of macronutrient imbalances.
- Identify and describe the sources, functions and absorption of micronutrients and discuss the causes and consequences of micronutrient deficiencies and toxicities.
- Explain and evaluate techniques for the measurement of body composition of individuals.
- Analyse dietary intake of individuals using food composition databases and dietary analysis software.
- Demonstrate comprehension of national nutrient and food based dietary recommendations and apply these recommendations to assess dietary adequacy.
- Introduction and Review of the Digestive System
- Energy from Food and Macronutrients
- Individual Nutritional Assessment
- Body Composition Assessment
- Carbohydrates
- Proteins
- Fats
- Fat and Water Soluble Vitamins
- Minerals, Water and Electrolytes
- Microminerals and Alcohol
- Micronutrients
- Over and Under Nutrition
In this subject, you will develop an understanding of the major food sources, metabolism and storage of the major food molecules carbohydrate, protein and fat (the macronutrients), alcohol, vitamins and minerals (the micronutrients), and water, and be aware of the consequences of over and under-nutrition. You will also develop an understanding of the principles of energy balance. You will be introduced to techniques for measuring and evaluating nutrient adequacy of diets of individuals and populations, including the use of nutrient databases, nutrient reference standards and food guides. You will also be introduced to simple techniques for measuring body composition of adults.
In this subject, students will be required to assess their dietary intake and measure their weight, height and circumferences (waist and hip). The measurement of personal data (diet and physical measures) will be on a purely voluntary basis. Students will be able to collect data from another volunteer student if there are any cultural or religious reasons preventing them from submitting their own data.
- Results of Individual Dietary Analysis (500 words equivalent) (15%)
- Report on Dietary Analyses, incorporating results from Assessment 1, alongside introduction, methods, discussion, recommendations and conclusion (1300 words per student) (40%)
- Two 30-minute online quizzes (10% each) (20%)
- Practical report (950 words equivalent). Students must pass this assessment to pass the subject. (25%)
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.
Learn more about La Trobe University.
Explore La Trobe courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 17
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 15
Entry requirements
To enrol in this subject, you must be admitted into a degree.
Prior study
You must either have successfully completed the following subject(s) before starting this subject, or currently be enrolled in the following subject(s) in a prior study period; or enrol in the following subject(s) to study prior to this subject:
and one of
Please note that your enrolment in this subject is conditional on successful completion of these prerequisite subject(s). If you study the prerequisite subject(s) in the study period immediately prior to studying this subject, your result for the prerequisite subject(s) will not be finalised prior to the close of enrolment. In this situation, should you not complete your prerequisite subject(s) successfully you should not continue with your enrolment in this subject. If you are currently enrolled in the prerequisite subject(s) and believe you may not complete these all successfully, it is your responsibility to reschedule your study of this subject to give you time to re-attempt the prerequisite subject(s).
Equivalent subjects
You won't be able to enrol into this subject if you've already successfully completed or currently enrolled in the following subject(s) as they are considered anti-requisites due to the similarity of the content.
Others
Prerequisites: Students must be admitted in the following course: HBFN
Past La Trobe University students who have previously completed DTN2PNU (Principles of Human Nutrition) are ineligible to enrol in this subject.
Additional requirements
- Software requirements - This subject requires a students subscription to FoodWorks Professional Software (Xyris). A good internet connection is required due to the online delivery.
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
8 student respondents between 20 May - 7 June 2024.
87%of students felt the study load was manageable
87%of students felt this subject helped them gain relevant skills