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.
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.
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.
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.
Qualifications
Explore your study options further. Refer to enrolment information found on the following qualification pages.
- Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc)
- Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc)
- Bachelor of Science (BSc)
- Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons))
- Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci)
- Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences (PGCertHealSc)
- Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc)
- Master of Science (MSc)
- Master of Dietetics (MDiet)
Programme requirements
Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences (PGCertHealSc) in Human Nutrition
| Papers |
|---|
Further information regarding the PGCertHealSc endorsed in Human Nutrition is available from the Department of Human Nutrition website. |
Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Human Nutrition
| Papers |
|---|
Further information regarding the PGDipHealSc endorsed in Human Nutrition is available from the Department of Human Nutrition website. |
Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc) endorsed in Human Nutrition
| Thesis option |
|---|
| Coursework option |
Further information regarding the MHealSc endorsed in Human Nutrition is available from the Department of Human Nutrition website. |
Bachelor of Science (BSc) majoring in Human Nutrition
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | BIOC 192 Foundations of Biochemistry CHEM 191 The Chemical Basis of Biology and Human Health HUBS 191 Human Body Systems 1 HUBS 192 Human Body Systems 2 HUNT 141 Understanding Human Nutrition | 18 18 18 18 18 |
| 200-level | HUNT 241 Fundamentals of Nutrients and Health HUNT 242 Nutritional Assessment HUNT 243 Lifecycle Nutrition | 18 18 18 |
| 300-level | HUNT 341 Nutrition and Behaviour Change Communication HUNT 342 Nutrition in Cancer and Heart Disease HUNT 343 Community and Public Health Nutrition One of: | 18 18 18 18 |
| Plus | 144 further points; (POPH 192 recommended) Must include 54 points at 200-level or above. Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science. Students intending to proceed to the Master of Dietetics programme should include HUNT 244 taken from 2019 (or HUNT 231), HUNT 341, HUNT 342, HUNT 343, HUNT 344 (or HUNT 311, HUNT 312, HUNT 313, HUNT 314, HUNT 331) in their degree programmes. POPH 192 is also recommended. | 144 |
| Total | 360 |
Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons)) in Human Nutrition
| Papers |
|---|
| Prerequisites for 2020: Prerequisites from 2021: |
Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci) in Human Nutrition
| Papers |
|---|
or |
Master of Science (MSc) in Human Nutrition
| Papers and Thesis |
|---|
|
Minor subject requirements
Human Nutrition as a minor subject for a BA, MusB, BPA, BTheol, BSc, BAppSc, BCom, 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 Applied Science (BAppSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), 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
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | HUNT 141 Understanding Human Nutrition | 18 |
| 200-level | Two of: | 36 |
| 300-level | Two of: | 36 |
| Total | 90 |
Papers
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a selection of on-campus papers will be made available via distance and online learning for eligible students.
Find out which papers are available and how to apply on our COVID-19 website
HUNT papers
| Paper code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HUND471 | 2023 | Clinical Nutrition | 30 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| HUND472 | 2023 | Public Health Dietetics | 20 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| HUND473 | 2023 | Food Service Management | 20 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| HUND475 | 2023 | Applied Dietetics | 20 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| HUND477 | 2023 | Professional Placement | 60 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| HUND5A | 2023 | Master of Dietetics Thesis Part A | 30 points | Thesis full year |
| HUND5B | 2023 | Master of Dietetics Thesis Part B | 60 points | Thesis semester 1, Thesis semester 2 |
| HUND5BH | 2023 | Master of Dietetics Thesis Part B | 60 points | Thesis semester 1, Thesis semester 2 |
| HUNT141 | 2023 | Understanding Human Nutrition | 18 points | Semester 1, Semester 2, Summer School |
| HUNT241 | 2023 | Fundamentals of Nutrients and Health | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| HUNT242 | 2023 | Nutritional Assessment | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| HUNT243 | 2023 | Lifecycle Nutrition | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| HUNT245 | 2023 | Sport and Exercise Nutrition | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| HUNT246 | 2023 | Applied Nutrition | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| HUNT341 | 2023 | Nutrition and Behaviour Change Communication | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| HUNT342 | 2023 | Nutrition and Chronic Diseases | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| HUNT343 | 2023 | Community and Public Health Nutrition | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| HUNT345 | 2023 | Applied Sports Nutrition | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| HUNT346 | 2023 | Global Nutrition and Health | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| HUNT441 | 2023 | Research Methods | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| HUNT442 | 2023 | Applied Nutrition & Disease Management | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| HUNT443 | 2023 | Practice in Public Health Nutrition | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| HUNT444 | 2023 | Food - Systems, Services and Skills | 20 points | Full Year |
| HUNT445 | 2023 | Applications in Sport and Exercise Nutrition | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| HUNT452 | 2023 | Nutrition and Human Health | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| HUNT454 | 2023 | Nutritional Biostatistics | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| HUNT455 | 2023 | Advanced Topics in Human Nutrition | 20 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| HUNT460 | 2023 | Research Project in Sport and Exercise Nutrition | 20 points | Full Year |
| HUNT485 | 2023 | Research Project | 20 points | Full Year |
| HUNT490 | 2023 | Dissertation | 60 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period |
| HUNT495 | 2023 | Master's Thesis Preparation | 40 points | Semester 1, Semester 2, Full Year, 1st Non standard period |
| NUTN401 | 2023 | Principles of Human Nutrition | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| NUTN402 | 2023 | Nutrition and Health Promotion | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| NUTN404 | 2023 | Nutrition and Chronic Disease | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| NUTN407 | 2023 | Advanced Sports Nutrition | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| NUTN590 | 2023 | Dissertation | 60 points | Semester 1, Semester 2, Full Year, 1st Non standard period |
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Key information for future students
Contact us
Department of Human Nutrition
Tel +64 3 479 7959
Email human-nutrition@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/humannutrition
