The major in Human Nutrition prepares people for careers in a multitude of areas including the food industry, government regulatory authorities, dietetics and secondary school teaching (the latter two requiring further qualifications), as well as a pathway to higher degrees in nutrition research and many other health related fields. Basic sciences underpin this major, which connects the science of agriculture, to food production and processing, the nutrient composition of foods, the interaction of those nutrients with our biochemical and physiological make up and the impact of diet in general on health and disease at the individual and population level. The major is structured to optimise acceptance into Masters of Dietetics at universities within Australia and to qualify students for registration within the Nutrition Society of Australia’s Voluntary Register of Nutritionists. Some first and second year subjects are prerequisites for final year major units and other agriculture, food, biochemistry and physiology subjects are recommended depending on what emphasis students wish to have in their Human Nutrition major.

This major opens up career opportunities in the food industry, public health, and food policy and regulation. With further study, you could consider a career as a dietitian or secondary teacher of science or human health and development.

In the food industry, a broad range of roles may be suitable, including product development, consumer affairs, and food law compliance, all of which require extensive knowledge of the science of human nutrition, as well as policy and practice at the population level.