Frequently asked questions
Is my degree equivalent to a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Sydney?
Your degree must be equivalent to AQF Level 7 and should be completed at a recognised tertiary institution such as a University. Qualifications from colleges, including those of Alternative / Natural Therapies, are generally not considered equivalent.
Your degree must have sufficient Science content (including at the appropriate senior level) to be equivalent to a Bachelor of Science. Generally, this will include at least 96 credit points of Science units of study (including 12 credit points of mathematics and a Science major).
If you do not have a Bachelor of Science degree or equivalent, or your qualifications are older than 10 years, you will need to undertake this degree before you can be considered for admission into MND, including all prerequisite units of study. A credit average must be achieved.
Do my units of study satisfy the prerequisites?
- Biology: 12 credit points of junior biology must be completed. This is typically equivalent to ¼ of a full year load or two units of study undertaken in the first year of an undergraduate science degree. The biology units should have a human focus (e.g. BIOL1003, BIOL1007 and BIOL1008). From 2021-intake onwards, the human focus will become a mandatory requirement, i.e. the biology units MUST be human biology.
- Chemistry: 12 credit points of junior chemistry must be completed. This is typically equivalent to ¼ of a full year load or two units of study in organic chemistry and inorganic chemistry undertaken in the first year of an undergraduate science degree (e.g. CHEM1101 and CHEM1102). Please note that food chemistry is not accepted.
- Biochemistry / Molecular Biology: 12 credit points of intermediate or senior biochemistry or molecular biology must be completed. This is typically equivalent to ¼ of a full year load or two units of study undertaken in the second or third year of an undergraduate science degree (e.g. appropriate units include BCHM2071, BCHM2072, MBLG2071, BCMB2001, BCMB2002, BCHM3071, BCHM3072, BCHM3081, BCHM3082 and BCHM3092). Junior units undertaken in first year are not accepted.
- Human Physiology: 12 credit points of intermediate or senior human physiology must be completed. This is typically equivalent to ¼ of a full year load or two units of study undertaken in the second or third year of an undergraduate science degree (e.g. PHSI2005, PHSI2006, PHSI2007, PHSI2008, PHSI3009, PHSI3010, PHSI3011 and PHSI3012). Junior units undertaken in first year are not accepted. The physiology units completed must be human focused, not plant or animal. Where applicants have completed multiple units of intermediate or senior exercise physiology, only one exercise physiology unit will be counted towards meeting this requirement.
- Nutrition Science: 6 credit points of intermediate or senior nutrition science must be completed. This is typically equivalent to 1/8 of a full year load or one unit of study undertaken in the second or third year of an undergraduate science degree (e.g. NUTM3001). Junior units undertaken in first year are not accepted. The nutrition science unit completed must cover at a minimum, energy, macronutrient, micronutrient requirements and how these vary through life stages. EDGU1003 will not be accepted. Note NUTM3888 is part of the nutrition science major but does not meet these requirements.
- Food Science: 6 credit points of intermediate or senior food science must be completed. This is typically equivalent to 1/8 of a full year load or one unit of study undertaken in the second or third year of an undergraduate science degree (e.g. AGEN2002, AGEN3004, FOOD2000 and FOOD3001). Junior units undertaken in first year are not accepted. The food science unit completed must cover food processing, food production and food safety.
I have completed a Bachelor of Science degree within the last 10 years with a GPA of 65, but I am missing a few prerequisite units of study. What do I do?
Many applicants have completed a Science degree with a credit average, but unfortunately do not meet the prerequisite units of study (e.g. missing one unit of human physiology and one unit of food science). In such cases, the applicant may be eligible to undertake the outstanding prerequisite units of study as a non-award student at the University of Sydney or at your home University. The outstanding unit would be taken as “Science Undergraduate Non-Degree Study”. All prerequisite units must be completed prior to admission to MND. Under no circumstances will applicants be able to undertake outstanding prerequisite units concurrently with MND.
I have completed a Bachelor of Science degree and all the necessary prerequisites within the last 10 years with a GPA of 65, but wasn’t made an offer. Why?
These are the minimum admission requirements for entry this course. As entry is very competitive and places are limited, all applicants meeting the minimum admission requirements must also be ranked according to academic merit (GPA). Offers are made to applicants in order of rank, subject to available places in the course.
I have completed a degree which includes one of the required MND units of study, or a research component. Can I gain credit for this?
No. The degree is a package which is accredited by the Dietitians Association of Australia and it is essential that the full training as accredited is undertaken. We do not give credit for prior training.