Outline

Overview

The nutrition field is constantly evolving with new information emerging daily. Paleo, keto, fasting, superfoods, supplements to boost energy, organic foods, GMO foods are some of the examples of nutrition trends that you will explore in this unit. You will be guided by dietitian/nutrition experts to examine the facts from fiction based on scientific evidence. You will develop foundational knowledge in nutrition science, sources of nutrients and energy in the major food groups, and links between foods, dietary patterns and health. You will be encouraged to question common myths and search for answers through participation in workshops where topical nutrition issues and controversies will be examined. This unit is designed for all students interested in food, nutrition and health regardless of disciplinary major and highly relevant for those in health-related degrees.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Nursing and Midwifery
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	EXSS1036 or EXSS1038 or EXSS1037
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Virginia Chan, virginia.chan@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Out-of-class quiz	Assessment 1: Early Assessment and Feedback Online quiz multiple choice	0%	Week 03 Due date: 13 Mar 2026 at 23:59	One hour	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Research analysis	Assessment 2: Poster and Reflection (Module 1) A scientific poster and reflection based on the Energy Balance Practical	25%	Week 05 Due date: 25 Mar 2026 at 23:59	Scientific poster & 300 words reflection	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-person written or creative task	Assessment 3: Quiz Composed of multiple choice questions and short answer questions, completed in-class.	25%	Week 09 Due date: 01 May 2026 at 13:00	50 minutes	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Assessment 4:Report (Module 2) A written report (800 words)	20%	Week 10 Due date: 06 May 2026 at 23:59	800 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Assessment 5:Group Presentation (Module 3) A recorded presentation completed in a group, uploaded onto Canvas.	30%	Week 13 Due date: 29 May 2026 at 23:59	3 minutes per person	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ? = 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 One - Early Assessment and Feedback Task: Online quiz

Assessment Two - Scientific Poster and Reflection (Module 1): Based on the Energy Balance Practical

Assessment Three - Quiz: Composed of multiple choice questions and short answer questions, completed in-class.

Assessment Four - Report (Module 2): A written report (800 words)

Assessment Five - Group Presentation (Module 3): A recorded presentation completed in a group, uploaded onto Canvas.

Please note: Each student is required to submit all assessment items in order to be eligible to pass this unit. Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2021 (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.

Grade	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard.
Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard
Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard
Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard
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	UoS overview, the Australian Dietary Guidelines and, current diet trends	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Classification of foods in nutrition and diet and key nutrient deficiency	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	FAD diets tutorial	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Energy and energy balance	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Energy balance tutorial	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Fasting	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Fasting tutorial	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Dietary patterns and health	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Dietary patterns tutorial	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Superfoods	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Supplements (I)	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Superfoods tutorial	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Supplements (II)	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Quiz Revision Session	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Quiz	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	Supplements (III)	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Supplements tutorial	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	Organic and GMO foods	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Organic foods and GMO tutorial	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Eating for a better planet	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Eating for a better planet tutorial (I)	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 13	Group work	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	Eating for a better planet tutorial (II)	Tutorial (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Attendance and participation are monitored. Students are expected to attend, engage and participate in scheduled classes and required learning activities. Students must notify the school if they are, or will be, unable to attend a required learning activity; and apply for special consideration or special arrangements; or have an academic plan with relevant adjustments, where appropriate.

(a) Students who fail to attend a required learning activity will be recorded as absent.

(b) Students must attend/participate in minimum 80% of all lecture sessions scheduled per unit of study.

(c) At the discretion of the Unit of Study Coordinator, where relevant, an alternative (catch-up) learning activity may be approved and provided to students absent from lectures due to unforeseen circumstances or with an approved planned absence:

(i) maximum two lecture absences permitted per unit of study where an approved alternative (catch-up) learning activity is completed.

(ii) where a student satisfactorily completes an approved alternative learning activity, this will be recorded

(d) Students must attend/participate in all (100%) practical classes (simulation labs and workshops) scheduled per unit of study.

(i) no absences without permission or with approved alternative arrangements.

(e) At the discretion of the Unit of Study Coordinator, where relevant, an alternative (catch-up) learning activity may be approved and provided to students absent from practical classes due to unforeseen circumstances or with an approved planned absence:

(i) maximum one practical class absence permitted per unit of study where an approved alternative (catch-up) learning activity is completed.

(ii) where a student satisfactorily completes an approved alternative learning activity, this will be recorded.

Note: Students must apply for Special Consideration for absence from any scheduled required learning activity which includes an assessment.

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.

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. Demonstrate an understanding of nutrient composition of foods/food groups and the evidence-base used to develop the Australian Dietary Guidelines
LO2. Describe how different dietary patterns can help prevent obesity and other chronic disease
LO3. Demonstrate critical thinking skills around current nutrition trends (‘superfoods’, supplements, fad diets) and relationships with human health and well-being using scientific evidence
LO4. Search and synthesise scientific literature to answer common questions on nutrition and health
LO5. Discuss associations between organic food, health and environment
LO6. Communicate effectively using non-technical language to diverse audiences, applying tools and practices that will help you in your life-long learnings

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.

This unit has received positive feedback from previous students, we have updated the unit of study according to student feedback.

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

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

FMHU2001: Myth Busting Food and Health

Semester 1, 2026 [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

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links