Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Human Movement & Nutrition Sci
This course introduces students to the concepts of dietary intake assessment, inteviewing and counselling of individual clients in the clinical context as well as principles of nutrition education for groups and underpins all of the professional practice courses that are undertaken. Students will develop a ready reckoner for use in practice, as well as become familiar with other tools. Strategies to encourage behaviour change as part of the counselling process will be covered. This course is supported by DIET7102 where students will be able to practice the knowledge and skills covered.
Dietetics practice is underpinned by the ability to collect relevant information from individuals and groups, so that nutrition care plans and group education programs can be developed that are relevant, tailored and effective. The approach utilised to communicate with and counsel clients is also critical to achieving outcomes that are client-centred and achievable.ﾠThis course covers the theoretical constructs that underpin interviewing and counselling individuals and groups as well as nutrition education processes. It has a strong emphasis on client-centred counselling and introduces specific techniques, including motivational interviewing. The courseﾠintroduces students to the range of tools and skills that are used in contemporary practice. Cultural competence principles are also included.
Course requirements
Assumed background
Degree including biochemistry, physiology, nutrition sciences, bahavioural sciences, food sciences
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Any changes to the timetable and/or remote learning approaches will be communicated on the Blackboard site and via email.
Aims and outcomes
The aim of this course is to develop interviewing, counselling and education skills that underpin professional practice in nutrition and dietetics
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of communication and counselling as it applies to dietetic practice, including a range of theoretical frameworks and practical application of these
LO2.
Demonstrate effective and appropriate skills in communicating information, advice, education and professional opinion to individuals and groups, demonstrating respect for culture within the over-arching principles of person-centred care
LO3.
Identify barriers to change for the client, drawing upon relevant counselling methods and strategies to address these in collaboration with the client
LO4.
Recognise the role of language and appropriate verbal and non-verbal cues; strengths-based communication and applied knowledge of culturally safe health practice.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quiz |
Weekly quizzes and activities
|
10% Quizzes |
25/02/2025 - 3/03/2025 4/03/2025 - 17/03/2025 18/03/2025 - 24/03/2025 25/03/2025 - 31/03/2025 8/04/2025 - 14/04/2025 |
| Reflection |
Critical reflection on cultural competency
|
15% Written reflection |
28/03/2025 5:00 pm |
| Essay/ Critique |
Demonstrating interviewing/counselling skill
|
25% Video and written accompaniment |
23/05/2025 5:00 pm |
| Examination |
Final exam
|
50% Final examination |
End of Semester Exam Period 7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025 |
Assessment details
Weekly quizzes and activities
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 10% Quizzes
- Due date
25/02/2025 - 3/03/2025
4/03/2025 - 17/03/2025
18/03/2025 - 24/03/2025
25/03/2025 - 31/03/2025
8/04/2025 - 14/04/2025
- Other conditions
- Student specific.
Task description
There will be 5 x quizzes consisting of multiple choice questions and some short answers. An average of the quiz results will be counted towards the final result in the course.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
This assessment will be submitted through Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Critical reflection on cultural competency
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Reflection
- Weight
- 15% Written reflection
- Due date
28/03/2025 5:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Student specific.
Task description
Students are required to write a 500 word (+/- 10%) critical reflection about the professional and applied skills learned from completing DIET7103. Critical reflections ask students to go beyond a mere description and to reflect critically (i.e. give their viewpoint or judgment). Each reflection is expected to demonstrate insight and integration of skills, using examples from other assessment pieces, professional practice (UQ clinics) or case studies completed in class throughout the semester. Students will receive guidance around critical reflection techniques.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
This assessment will be submitted through ePortfolio.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Demonstrating interviewing/counselling skill
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 25% Video and written accompaniment
- Due date
23/05/2025 5:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Student specific.
Task description
The overall objective of this assignment is to demonstrate and reflect on interviewing and counselling skills and techniques. You will be required to do the following:
Please choose a particular interviewing skill or counselling technique to demonstrate BRIEFLY in a video recording. Please select ONE technique or skill to demonstrate from one of the key phases of the interviewing and counselling framework which underpins this course (involving, exploration, resolving, closing). Skills you may choose to demonstrate include (but are not limited to): dietary interview, motivational interviewing (e.g. elicit-provide-elicit and/or OARS), goal setting, tailoring an intervention, reviewing ambivalence, providing nonjudgmental feedback, sharing a diet-disease relationship.
You do not need to have mastered this skill – it is expected that you will all still be developing your skills in all areas, so perfection is not required or encouraged. This is a developmental exercise, so the more true critiques you can make, the more you will learn. Please refrain from creating a very poor video with “staged” poor performance to critique. This is not the purpose of the task and will result in poor learning outcomes.
You are to make a BRIEF video (5-10 minutes) showing yourself attempting the skill or technique with a client (could be real or pretend). Then, you are to review your video using the forms provided in the assessment folder on Blackboard for this task, or any other forms you obtain approval to use.
You are required to critique your first video attempt - either with a pause and a voice over in the video, or in written format - please include the relevant review form as evidence. You will then re-record the BRIEF video highlighting your improvement in the technique or skill. You will then provide a reflective paragraph at the end about the skill or technique and how you intend to continue to develop it in the future.
Please note - you will not be assessed on how well you perform the skill, BUT, on how well you critique yourself and reflect on your improvement. With your permission, your videos may be used in the future to help future cohorts of dietetics students to master the suite of techniques and skills, so you will be contributing to our curriculum and resources. If you do not wish for your work to be used for this purpose, please let Dr Olivia Wright know via email o.wright@uq.edu.au.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
The written component of this assignment is to be submitted through ePortfolio. The video component can be uploaded to your ePortfolio.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Final exam
- Identity Verified
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 50% Final examination
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025
- Other conditions
- Student specific.
Task description
The final exam will be combination of short answer and multiple choice questions and will cover material from throughout the semester.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | (In person) Casio FX82 series only or UQ approved and labelled calculator |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - specified written materials permitted |
| Materials | One A4 sheet of handwritten or typed notes, double sided, is permitted |
| Exam platform | Inspera |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Late submission
Exams submitted after the end of the submission time will incur a late penalty.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 24 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Fails to satisfy most or all of the basic requirements of the course: (typically 0 - 24%) |
| 2 (Fail) | 25 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Fails to satisfy some of the basic requirements of the course. Clear deficiencies in performance, but evidence that some basic requirements have been met: (typically 25ﾠ- 44%) |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Fails to satisfy all basic requirement for pass but is close to satisfactory overall and has compensating strengths in some aspects: (typically 45ﾠ- 49%) |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Satisfies all of the basic learning requirements for the course, such as knowledge of fundamental concepts and performance of basic skills; demonstrates sufficient quality of performance to be considered satisfactory or adequate or competent or capable in the course: (typically 50 - 64%) |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Demonstrates ability to use and apply fundamental concepts and skills of the course, going beyond mere replication of content knowledge or skill to show understanding of key ideas, awareness of their relevance, some use of analytical skills, and some originality or insight: (typically 65 - 74%) |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Demonstrates awareness and understanding of deeper and subtler aspects of the course, such as ability to identify and debate critical issues or problems, ability to solve non-routine problems, ability to adapt and apply ideas to new situations, and ability to invent and evaluate new ideas: (typically 75 - 84%) |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Demonstrates imagination, originality or flair, based on proficiency in all the learning objectives for the course; work is interesting, surprising, exciting, challenging or erudite: (typically 85 - 100%) |
Additional course grading information
Final marks falling between whole percentages will be rounded to the nearest whole percentage. For example:ﾠ84.5% and above will be rounded to 85% and 84.49% and below will be rounded down to 84%.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Attendance at workshops
Attendance at all workshops is strongly encouraged as material covered in the workshops will assist in successfully completing all aspects of this course. Workshops are intended to be interactive and workshops will not be recorded. Workshop slides will be available on Blackboard.
Students who miss a workshop must complete an absentee form and email the form as soon as possible to your course coordinator no later than two (2) calendar days after the date of the original class was held. You must submit supporting documentation along with your request. Please review the information listed on the medical or extenuating circumstances page for information about acceptable supporting documentation.
Any non-approved absences may result in being placed under the Fitness to Study policy.
ASSIGNMNENT SUBMISSION
When submitting an assignment, remember to include a cover sheet, for example -ﾠ
- Assessment Task: Assignment
- Course Title: Interviewing & Counselling
- Course Code: DIET7103
- Student Name: Dr Olivia Wright
- Student Number: 4xxxxxxxx
If students experience difficulties submitting assessment tasks, they should (by the due date/time):
- Email a copy of the assessment task to the Course Coordinator. For contact details refer to Course Contributors section of the Course Profile.
- Include a screenshot of the error message.
What is TurnitIn
Turnitin is an electronic assignment submission tool. The tool provides your Course Coordinator with:
- a record of the exact submission time of an assignment
- an originality report indicating the percentage of your work that is an exact match of existing materials within the Turnitin database.
Instructions on how to submit an assignment using Turnitin are located on the UQ Library website Submit your Turnitin assignment - Library Guide
Note:
When submitting, to check that you have chosen the correct file on the Preview Submission page and click on the Submit to Turnitin button. ﾠ
Remember to download your digital receipt in your Assignment inbox to confirm successful submission.
If a submission cannot be successfully completed, email a copy of the assessment task to the Course Administrator. For contact details refer to Course Contributors section of the Course Profile.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
Other materials will be available on the DIET7103 Blackboard site
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (24 Feb - 02 Mar) |
Workshop |
Workshop 1 Background, person-centred care, opening a conversation. |
Workshop |
Workshop 2 Nutrition assessment: involving phase |
|
Week 2 (03 Mar - 09 Mar) |
Workshop |
Workshop 3 Nutrition assessment: exploration phase |
Workshop |
Workshop 4 Cultural competence 1; exploration phase |
|
Week 3 (10 Mar - 16 Mar) |
Workshop |
Workshop 5 Diabetes; resolving phase |
Workshop |
Workshop 6 Diabetes; resolving phase |
|
Week 4 (17 Mar - 23 Mar) |
Workshop |
Workshop 7 Weight management; resolving phase |
Workshop |
Workshop 8 Cardiovascular disease; resolving phase of the session; diet-disease relationship |
|
Week 5 (24 Mar - 30 Mar) |
Workshop |
Workshop 9 Lifespan counselling; resolving phase of the session; UQ cultural safety module 1 |
Workshop |
Workshop 10 Interviewing and counselling for clients with mental health concerns |
|
Week 6 (31 Mar - 06 Apr) |
Workshop |
Workshop 11 Counselling for clients with eating disorders |
Workshop |
Workshop 12 Revision session |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
You'll also need to be aware of the following policies and procedures while completing this course:
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: