This degree prepares you for a career in the health and food industry, where you will be involved in developing innovative foods, promoting and managing diets and lifestyles, and conducting research for enhanced wellbeing.

Our on-campus facilities are state-of-the-art, with a dedicated nutrition and food science hub that is home to a $1 million commercial kitchen, sensory laboratory (one of only a few in Australia) and microbiology laboratory.

You will also learn from award-winning academics and get a taste of what it’s like to work in the food and nutrition industry in our community by attending field trips to some of South Australia’s major nutrition and food providers.

What you'll need

Students who undertake activities where interaction with patients/the public is required for their degree, such as field or clinical placements/visits and in University clinics and gyms, must demonstrate they meet mandatory pre-placement conditional requirements. These include criminal history clearance, child related employment clearance and immunisation requirements. Please visit the Clinical Placement Unit for information on key requirements, and to access the full student checklists.

What you'll learn

This unique degree offers practice-based and theoretical learning to ensure you are career-ready.

During the first two years you will explore both nutrition and food science topics, gaining a solid understanding of the key elements of each.

You will develop knowledge in:

• biology
• chemistry
• health in our society
• human and lifespan nutrition
• biochemistry
• physiology
• the chemistry of food
• food quality and safety
• relationships between food bioactives, functional foods and medicines
• consumer education
• influences of the senses on consumer food choice.

In the third year you will select either a nutrition or food science stream:

If you choose nutrition, you will focus on:

• developing essential communication skills across a variety of platforms
• developing skills to promote good health through food and nutrition in the community
• developing personalised dietary and exercise plans to manage weight
• nutrition for sports, exercise and activity.

If you choose food science, you will focus on:

• food microbiology
• quality assurance in food processing and manufacturing
• developing safe and nutritionally sound foods for the marketplace
• food and beverage fermentation.

In Australia, the nutrition profession is expected to grow very strongly over the next five years, with an expected 5,000 job openings.1

Nutrition and food science experts require an enthusiasm for food and its effect on health. You should also possess a variety of personal skills such as problem-solving attributes, creative thinking and the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively.

As the health, nutrition and wellness industries continue to grow, employment prospects for graduates of this degree are promising.

You may gain employment as a:

• Community nutritionist: create changes in attitude toward nutrition and health; provide advice, guidance and support to the community.
• Health promotion officer: use social and environmental interventions to improve the health of groups and individuals.
• Sports, exercise and fitness nutritionist: responsible for improving the health and optimising the performance of athletes.
• Food Scientist: use chemistry and biology to look at the microbiological, chemical and physical properties of food and ingredients. Analyse nutritional content, discover new food sources, and ensure that the manufacturing process is safe.
• Product development manager: develop new and innovative products to meet strategic business objectives.
• Microbiology specialist: work in food manufacturing or government to research microorganisms in order to prevent disease.
• Food policy advisor: provide health and nutrition advice to the public. 
• Food safety advisor: conduct food and safety reviews and monitor procedures to ensure standards are met. 
• Quality assurance officer: conducts assurance audits of production facilities to ensure consistent products are developed and to oversee quality, efficiency and production issues. Research scientist: plan and conduct laboratory-based investigations, experiments and trials and analyse results to broaden scientific understanding.
• Food technician: conduct research and assist with experiments on various food products, along with the maintenance and repair of equipment involved in the production process.
• Flavor technologist: sample products and conduct experiments to alter the ingredients in food and beverages to make it taste better, replicate a taste, or develop a new taste.
• Research scientist: design, undertake and inspect issues to provide recommendations across problems or questions related to nutrition and food sciences.
• High School Nutrition teacher (with further study - Master of Teaching (Secondary))

1Australian Government Department of Jobs and Small Business, 2023 Small Business Projections.

Professional accreditation and recognition

Graduates of the program are eligible to apply for professional membership of the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology (AIFST).

Graduates of the program are initially eligible to apply to the Nutrition Society of Australia for registration as an Associate Nutritionist (ANutr), leading to Registered Nutritionist (RNutr), usually after three years of experience.