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Unit outline_

FMHU2001: Myth busting food and health

Semester 1, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

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
Lecturer(s) Virginia Chan, virginia.chan@sydney.edu.au
Vasant Hirani, vasant.hirani@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Assessment 1: Module 1 Report and Reflection
Refer to assignment outline
20% Week 05
Due date: 22 Mar 2023 at 23:59
800 words & 300 words reflection
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Online task Assessment 2: Quiz
Quiz
25% Week 08
Due date: 21 Apr 2023 at 13:00
50 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO2 LO1
Assignment Assessment 3: Module 2 Report
Refer to assignment outline
15% Week 09
Due date: 26 Apr 2023 at 23:59
800 words
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4
Presentation group assignment Assessment 4a: Module 3 Group Presentation
10% individual and 10% group mark
20% Week 13
Due date: 26 May 2023 at 13:00
3 minutes per person
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment group assignment Assessment 4b: Module 3 Group Report
10% individual and 10% group mark
20% Week 13
Due date: 26 May 2023 at 23:59
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO5 LO6
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Assessment 1: Module 1 Report and reflection

Assessment 2: Online quiz – in-class, short answer questions

Assessment 3: Module 2 Report

Assessment 4a: Module 3 Group oral presentation

Assessment 4b: Module 3 Group report

 

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

Assessment criteria

  Result Name Mark Range Description 

HD

High distinction

85 - 100

At HD level, a student demonstrates a flair for the subject as well as a detailed and comprehensive understanding of the unit material. A ‘High Distinction’ reflects exceptional achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates the ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding in order to interpret and critically analyse information. 

DI

Distinction

75 - 84

At DI level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a well­developed understanding of the unit material. A ‘Distinction’ reflects excellent achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates an ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding in order to interpret and have reasonably well-developed critical analyse information. 

CR

Credit

65 - 74

At CR level, a student demonstrates a good command and knowledge of the unit material. A ‘Credit’ reflects solid achievement and is awarded to a student who has a broad general understanding of the unit material and can interpret and analyse information. 

PS

Pass

50 - 64

At PS level, a student demonstrates proficiency in the unit material. A ‘Pass’ reflects satisfactory achievement and is awarded to a student who has threshold knowledge.

FA

Fail

0 - 49

A ‘Fail’ is awarded to a student who has not demonstrated threshold knowledge

For more information see guide to grades.

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 Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 UoS overview, the Australian Dietary Guidelines and, current diet trends Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 Classification of foods in nutrition and diet and key nutrient deficiency Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
FAD diets Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 03 Energy and energy balance Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Energy balance tutorial Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6
Week 04 Fasting Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Fasting tutorial Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 05 Dietary patterns and health Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Dietary patterns tutorial Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 06 Superfoods Lecture (2 hr) LO3 LO4
Superfoods tutorial (I) Tutorial (2 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 07 Supplements (I) Lecture (2 hr) LO3 LO4
Superfoods tutorial (II) Tutorial (2 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 08 Supplements (II) Lecture (2 hr) LO3 LO4
Quiz Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 09 Supplements (III) Lecture (2 hr) LO3 LO4
Supplements tutorial (I) Tutorial (2 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 10 Organic foods Lecture (2 hr) LO4 LO5
Supplements tutorial (II) and Group work assessment tutorial Tutorial (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 11 GMO foods and Eating for a better planet (I) Lecture (2 hr) LO5
Organic foods and GMO tutorial Tutorial (2 hr) LO5 LO6
Week 12 Eating for a better planet (II) Lecture (2 hr) LO5
Eating for a better planet tutorial Tutorial (2 hr) LO5 LO6
Week 13 Feedback and/or Groupwork Lecture (2 hr) LO5 LO6
Group assignment presentations Tutorial (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6

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 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.

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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

This is the first time this unit has been offered.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

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