Outline

Overview

In a world where nutrition advice is commonplace but not always accurate, learning the basics of good nutrition habits is vital for development and growth at all stages of the life cycle. If practiced correctly, nutrition can help prevent disease, assist in reaching health goals, influence sports performance and reach academic outcomes. This elective aims to equip students with the knowledge required to make informed food choices and gain skills in analysing their personal diet and nutrition habits. At the conclusion of the elective, each student will be a mythbuster of common diets, supplements and fads touted by the media, and be able to separate fact from fiction. Topics covered in the unit include the anatomy and physiology of digestion, the link between common diseases and nutrition practices, nutrition for sports performance, practical tips for shopping and cooking and the use of food to improve cognition.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Education
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	James Barkell, james.barkell@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Cinthya Wibisono, cinthya.wibisono@sydney.edu.au
	Brenda Doran, brenda.doran@sydney.edu.au
	Darren Clunn, darren.clunn@sydney.edu.au
	Zohreh Sajadi Hezaveh, zohreh.sajadihezaveh@sydney.edu.au
	Corinne Tighe, corinne.farr@sydney.edu.au
	Alexander Epakis, alexander.epakis@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
In-person practical, skills, or performance task or test	Early Feedback Task Online quiz - Details found on Canvas. #earlyfeedbacktask	5%	Week 03	20 minutes (200wd equivalent)	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
In-person practical, skills, or performance task or test	Quiz 1 Online quiz - Details found on Canvas	20%	Week 06	50 minutes (900wd equivalent)	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
In-person practical, skills, or performance task or test	Quiz 2 Online quiz - Details found on Canvas	20%	Week 09	50 minutes (900wd equivalent)	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Dietary Assignment Written report. Further details found on Canvas.	35%	Week 11 Due date: 24 Oct 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 07 Nov 2025	1500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-person practical, skills, or performance task or test	Quiz 3 Online quiz - Details found on Canvas	20%	Week 13	50 minutes (1000wd equivalent)	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Exceptional level of work
Distinction	75 - 84	High standard of work
Credit	65 - 74	Good standard of work
Pass	50 - 64	Pass level standard of work
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	1. Introduction and course outline; 2. The History of Sports Nutrition; 3. Nutrition and the Australian Dietary Guidelines; 4. Digestion	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 02	1. Energy metabolism and macronutrients; 2. Carbohydrates, including sugars and dietary fibre: 3.Proteins; 4. Fats;	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 03	1. Introduction to micronutrients; 2. Vitamins and Minerals; 3. Gut microbiome.	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 04	1. Measures of health; 2. The state of Australia's health; 3. Life cycle nutrition.	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 05	1. Food labelling; 2.Food marketing.	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 06	1. Sports nutrition I - Fuelling performance; 2. Energy systems and energy requirements for athletes.	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 07	1. Sports nutrition II - Stronger, Longer, Faster; 2. Nutrition for endurance sports; 3. Eating for strength and power based sports; 4 Nutrition for muscle building; 5. Nutrition for combination sports.	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 08	1. Sports nutrition III - Different fuels for different outcomes; 2. Fuel for recovery; 3. Hydration and the role of liquid intake on performance.	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 09	1. Supplements for performance; 2. Sport Integrity Australia & WADA regulations all athletes need to consider.	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 10	1. Supporting the female athlete; 2. Disordered eating in society and athlete populations.	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 11	1. Special Diets; 2. Fad Diets; 3. Plant-based nutrition, low carbohydrate and ketogenic diets and their roles in performance.	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 12	1. Food safety	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.
Asynchronous Lectures: Lectures in this unit require you to engage in pre-recorded video content and online tasks through the Canvas LMS. Lectures are not performed live on campus.
Tutorial attendance: Tutorial attendance is required for multiple assessment tasks and your overall attendance.
Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.
Make up work may not be possible in this large-scale elective if you miss a tutorial so gaining attendance for missed tutorials is not guaranteed via this method.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Whitney, E., Rolfes, S., Crowe, T., Walsh, A. (2022). Understanding Nutrition Australia and New Zealand Edition. 5th Edition. Cengage Learning.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. critique nutrition education models and how they can be utilised to select a healthy diet
LO2. understand the reasons for eating, influences on nutrition and the role of food and nutrition in daily life
LO3. identify macronutrients including carbohydrates, protein, fats and alcohol as well as micronutrients, using a range of information and contexts
LO4. understand how the body utilises food and water for fuel, growth, health and exercise
LO5. identify the benefits and limitations of different types of diets including vegetarian, weight loss and sports performance diets as well as fad diets
LO6. understand dietary problems such as child malnutrition, eating disorders, dehydration, food allergies, fad diets and vitamin deficiencies
LO7. analyse the nutrient content and adequacy of your own diet using computerised nutritional analysis software and apply your nutrition knowledge to address consequential nutritional problems
LO8. utilise the personal nutritional analysis of your diet to reflect, self-evaluate and improve your diet and nutrient intake
LO9. understand the effect that diet can have on chronic health problems such as diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome and heart disease.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

The unit has had an assessment re-design resulting from student feedback in 2024.

Additional information

More information can be found on Canvas

Site visit guidelines

If you are undertaking professional experience/field education placement as part of your enrolment in this unit of study, please assess your specific needs and requirements for the safe and successful completion of an external placement within a host organisation. You will be given the opportunity to disclose any health issues that have a work health and safety significance before arranging a placement so that your safety, and the safety of others, can be properly assessed. The Professional Experience Coordinator/Field Education Manager will work to ensure that the workplace assignment to you is appropriate for your needs and requirements. If you are experiencing disability, and require reasonable adjustments to be arranged, please contact Disability Services as early as possible prior to commencing the internship. Please note, in all cases, and for the purpose of organising reasonable adjustments, only the impact and not the nature, of your disability will be disclosed to the host organisation.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Site visit guidelines

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

EDGU1003: Diet and Nutrition for Health and Sport

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Site visit guidelines

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links