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Study Human Nutrition at Otago

We all eat, and what we eat impacts on our health and well-being.

It is the energy, carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals within these foods that influence our health.

Human nutrition is the study of how the foods we eat impact on our growth and development, disease risk, and physical performance.

Nutrition impacts on the health of individuals and populations, here in New Zealand and worldwide, from birth to old age. You will learn about the nutrients within foods, their importance for health as well as the cultural and social influences on our diet.

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Why study Human Nutrition?

Nutrition affects everyone, making Human Nutrition relevant to all. With new knowledge and skills, you will be able to make a real difference at the global, national, community and whānau levels. You will also learn about yourself while you study. You'll learn from world-leading experts who will provide you with the most up-to-date information in their specialist areas.

Studying Human Nutrition opens doors to career opportunities in a variety of disciplines, both in New Zealand and worldwide. It also provides all the background required to become a registered nutritionist or continue into postgraduate study where you can apply your skills in real world settings such as working in our nutrition clinic, within the public health sector or with sports organisations.

Career opportunities

We will equip you with skills that can be used in a number of careers. Our graduates work in the health sector, government organisations, corporations, research, teaching, high-performance sport, private practice, and the food industry. Māori and Pacific graduates are often sought after, particularly by health providers across the country.

Human Nutrition at Otago

Teaching style

There is a combination of lectures, small group laboratory classes, and tutorials. Your assignments may be individual or group-based and will aim to develop communication skills for both a scientific and lay audience. One of the best things about studying nutrition is you get to practise on yourself with practical laboratory classes where you assess your own diet, try foods and monitor your body's response. The department is friendly, welcoming and supportive. The smaller group classes allow greater interaction with lecturers and postgraduate students who are always willing to discuss any issues with you.

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Background required

Secondary school students are highly recommended to take chemistry to Year 13 and biology, statistics and English to Year 12, preferably Year 13.

Requirements

Human Nutrition as a minor subject for a BA, MusB, BPA, BTheol, BSc, BCom, BEntr, BHealSc, BACom, BASc or BComSc degree

Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree

LevelPapersPoints
100-level

HUNT 141 Understanding Human Nutrition

18

200-level

Two of:

Note: Prerequisites for HUNT 241 are BIOC 192, CHEM 191 and ((HUBS 191 and HUBS 192) or (HUBS 192 and PTWY 131*) or (ANAT 101 and PHSL 101))

36

300-level

Two of:

  • HUNT 341 Nutrition and Behaviour Change Communication
  • HUNT 342 Nutrition and Chronic Diseases
  • HUNT 343 Community and Public Health Nutrition
  • HUNT 346 International Nutrition and Health

36

 

* PTWY 131 is only available to students enrolled in the Diploma in Science.

 
Total   90

HUNT papers

Paper Code Year Title Points Teaching period
HUND471 2024 Clinical Nutrition 30 points Not offered in 2024
HUND472 2024 Public Health Dietetics 20 points Not offered in 2024
HUND473 2024 Food Service Management 20 points Not offered in 2024
HUND475 2024 Applied Dietetics 20 points Not offered in 2024
HUND477 2024 Professional Placement 60 points Not offered in 2024
HUND5A 2024 Master of Dietetics Thesis Part A 30 points Thesis full year
HUND5B 2024 Master of Dietetics Thesis Part B 60 points Thesis semester 1, Thesis semester 2
HUND5BH 2024 Master of Dietetics Thesis Part B 60 points Thesis semester 1, Thesis semester 2
HUNT141 2024, 2025 Understanding Human Nutrition 18 points Summer School, Semester 1, Semester 2
HUNT241 2024, 2025 Fundamentals of Nutrients and Health 18 points Semester 1
HUNT242 2024, 2025 Nutritional Assessment 18 points Semester 2
HUNT243 2024, 2025 Lifecycle Nutrition 18 points Semester 2
HUNT245 2024, 2025 Sport and Exercise Nutrition 18 points Semester 1
HUNT246 2024, 2025 Applied Nutrition 18 points Semester 1
HUNT341 2024, 2025 Nutrition and Behaviour Change Communication 18 points Semester 1
HUNT342 2024, 2025 Nutrition and Chronic Diseases 18 points Semester 1
HUNT343 2024, 2025 Community and Public Health Nutrition 18 points Semester 2
HUNT345 2024, 2025 Applied Sports Nutrition 18 points Semester 2
HUNT346 2024, 2025 Global Nutrition and Health 18 points Semester 2
HUNT441 2024, 2025 Research Methods 20 points Not offered in 2024, Not offered in 2025
HUNT442 2024, 2025 Applied Nutrition & Disease Management 20 points Semester 1
HUNT443 2024, 2025 Practice in Public Health Nutrition 20 points Semester 1
HUNT444 2024, 2025 Food - Systems, Services and Skills 20 points Full Year
HUNT445 2024, 2025 Applications in Sport and Exercise Nutrition 20 points Semester 2
HUNT452 2024, 2025 Nutrition and Human Health 20 points Semester 2
HUNT454 2024, 2025 Nutritional Biostatistics 20 points Semester 1
HUNT455 2024, 2025 Advanced Topics in Human Nutrition 20 points Semester 1, Semester 2
HUNT460 2024, 2025 Research Project in Sport and Exercise Nutrition 20 points Full Year
HUNT485 2024, 2025 Research Project 20 points Full Year
HUNT490 2024, 2025 Dissertation 60 points Full Year, 1st Non standard period (1 January 2024 - 1 December 2024), 1st Non standard period (14 July 2025 - 17 June 2026)
HUNT495 2024, 2025 Master's Thesis Preparation 40 points Full Year, 1st Non standard period (15 July 2024 - 13 June 2025), 1st Non standard period (14 July 2025 - 17 June 2026)
NUTN401 2024, 2025 Principles of Human Nutrition 30 points Semester 1
NUTN402 2024, 2025 Nutrition and Health Promotion 30 points Semester 1
NUTN404 2024, 2025 Nutrition and Chronic Disease 30 points Semester 2
NUTN407 2024, 2025 Advanced Sports Nutrition 30 points Semester 2
NUTN590 2024, 2025 Dissertation 60 points Semester 1, Semester 2, Full Year, 1st Non standard period (15 July 2024 - 13 June 2025), 1st Non

More information

Contact us

Department of Human Nutrition

Tel +64 3 479 7959
Email human-nutrition@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/humannutrition

Studying at Otago

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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2024 Calendar and supplementary material.

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