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Unit outline_

GLOH5136: Nutrition in Global Settings

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit aims to provide students with insights into the major nutrition-related public health problems in low- and middle-income countries; knowledge and practical skills about nutritional assessment; and the design and evaluation of nutritional interventions. The content areas include an overview of nutrition as a major determinant of health and disease; methods to assess community nutritional status; the impact of maternal and child under-nutrition on mortality and overall disease burden; design and evaluation of effective interventions; issues surrounding food security; agriculture and nutrition; and nutrition policies and resources. The unit has three major segments with the first focusing on nutritional assessment, the second on prioritizing nutrition-related public health problems in low- and middle-income countries, and the third on design and evaluation of interventions. On completion, students should be able to recognise key nutritional problems facing low- and middle-income countries; have acquired knowledge and practical skills as to how to assess these problems, and have gained insights into different multi-sectoral approaches to address these problems.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Public Health
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

Introductory knowledge of epidemiology and biostatistics

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Michael Dibley, michael.dibley@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Neeloy Alam, neeloy.alam@sydney.edu.au
Michael Dibley, michael.dibley@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Masuma Khanam, masuma.khanam@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Assessment 2
Design of nutrition intervention programs.
60% Formal exam period
Due date: 15 Nov 2024 at 23:59
3500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12
Participation Assessment 3
Discussion participation
10% Ongoing n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO9 LO12 LO11 LO10
Assignment Assessment 1
Exercise on nutritional assessment
30% Week 10
Due date: 07 Oct 2024 at 23:59
2500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

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

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 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 2023. 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

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to GLOH5136 nutrition in global settings. Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 02 Nutrition and population health Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1
Week 03 Global nutrition targets and interventions. Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 04 Child Nutrition Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 05 Infant & young child feeding. Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO10
Week 06 Micronutrient deficiencies Biochemical assessment Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO10
Week 07 Women's nutrition. Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO10
Week 08 Nutritional assessment - Anthropometric assessment - Dietary intake - Food security Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 09 Nutrition transition & overnutrition. Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO5 LO6 LO7 LO9 LO10 LO11
Week 10 Nutrition-sensitive interventions - Nutrition-specific versus nutrition-sensitive interventions - Social safety networks - WASH Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12
Week 11 Nutrition-sensitive interventions - Agriculture - Adaption to climate change - Women's empowerment Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12
Week 12 Food systems, food security, diet & nutrition. Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12
Week 13 Nutrition policy, program planning & evaluation. Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO5 LO7 LO8 LO12

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. design nutritional assessment for specific settings in low-and-middle income countries
  • LO2. describe anthropometric, dietary intake, and biochemical measurement methods for indicators of nutritional status
  • LO3. interpret the meaning of anthropometric, dietary intake, and biochemical indicators for nutritional status of children and adults
  • LO4. select nutritional status measurements and indicators needed to assess nutritional status in different settings
  • LO5. prioritise nutritional disorders and risk factors needing public health interventions in LMICs
  • LO6. describe the main nutritional disorders and risk factors facing LMICs
  • LO7. evaluate and rank the contribution of nutritional disorders and risk factors to poor population health (mortality, morbidity, and disability adjusted life years)
  • LO8. analyse data to identify the most important nutritional disorders and risk factors in different global health settings
  • LO9. design and evaluate interventions to address priority public health nutrition problems in LMICs
  • LO10. describe different individual and multi-sectoral interventions to improve nutritional status in LIMCs
  • LO11. assess the effectiveness of individual and multi-sectoral approaches in improving nutrition
  • LO12. choose appropriate interventions to address specific nutrition problems in different settings or countries and argue for including the selected interventions.

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
LO1         
LO2         
LO3         
LO4         
LO5         
LO6         
LO7         
LO8         
LO9         
LO10         
LO11         
LO12         

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

I have added an introductory tutorial in week 1.

More information can be found on Canvas.

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.