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Course profile

Community & Public Health Nutrition (NUTR3012)

Study period
Sem 2 2024
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person

Course overview

Study period
Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
Study level
Undergraduate
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person
Units
2
Administrative campus
St Lucia
Coordinating unit
Public Health School

Students successfully completing NUTR3012 will gain an understanding of the theory and practice of community and public health nutrition, and develop practical expertise related to taking action to address them including: assessing the food and nutrition needs in a community, and planning, implementing and evaluating interventions. The course uses case studies to examine policies and programs currently used in Australia and elsewhere, including the effectiveness of different strategies.

Welcome to Community and Public Health Nutrition (C&PHN). In C&PHN we will explore a number of programs and policies that promote and
maintain the nutritional health of communities. The course aims to provide a set of principles and planning frameworks for
effective action and considers a set of case studies that examine the practical elements that address some priority
issues in nutrition. It provides opportunities to design
needs assessments, design and plan programs, and plan for their evaluation. The purpose and role of participatory
approaches and community engagement with diverse populations, and Indigenous populations in particular,
will be examined. Public health systems and political influence in Australia, and the role of nutritionists
in these systems, will be addressed. The course builds on
the knowledge of the biology of nutrition from second year coursework, and an understanding of trends
and social and cultural determinants of food and nutrition related contexts at the population
level, and nutritional epidemiology, from NUTR3011. The course is particularly
recommended for students looking toward a career related to food and nutrition,
a career in health promotion, those undertaking a major in nutrition, and those planning to undertake studies in dietetics.

Course requirements

Assumed background

The course is concerned with the work of nutritionists in communities and populations, and therefore builds on the student's
understanding of the principles of nutrition, nutrition-related health conditions, and the wide range of factors
that can have an impact on nutrition at the community and population level.

It is assumed that students have completed at least one of the second level nutrition courses at
UQ (
target="_blank">NUTR2003
, NUTR2101, or NUTR2201). It is highly recommended that students have completedᅠNUTR3011 Understanding Population Nutrition (orᅠequivalent courses studied elsewhere) prior to this course. NUTR3011 and NUTR3012 have been developedᅠas a suite of courses, designedᅠto complement each other.ᅠ

Recommended prerequisites

We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:

A minimum of #2 units of 2nd level NUTR coded courses, and NUTR3011

Course contact

Course staff

Lecturer

Dr Preetha Thomas

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

This course has the advantage of having a number of external guest speakers from Quennsland Health and NGOs working in the community nutrition space. They are doing us an enormous favour by sharing their expertise and work with us. Please make sure you attend as many guest sessions as you can to make the most of the opportunity, and as a sign of respect.ᅠᅠ

Tutorials run for 50 mins. Tutorials may not be held every week, and the first tutorial will be held in week 2. Please note that some assessment activity is due to be submitted during tutorials.ᅠ

Aims and outcomes

The course aims to developᅠan understandingᅠof the theory and practice of community and public health nutrition. A large component of the courseᅠis the study of ᅠpracticalᅠexamples of nutrition programs whichᅠaddress nutrition issues in populations.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

LO1.

Demonstrate an understanding of the practice context for population nutrition, including identifying the major food and nutrition issues in populations, the range of perspectives regarding these issues, the strengths and weaknesses of different public health nutrition approaches, and the principles underpinning evidence-based practice

LO2.

Demonstrate an understanding of the determinants of health and the socioecological framework that influence food practices and nutrition status, and recognise current nutrition contexts for diverse population groups in Australia.

LO3.

Understanding the importance of using participatory approaches in engaging with diverse communities, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia

LO4.

Understand the role of governmental, non-governmental, industry, and civil society organizations in addressing population level nutrition issues and concerns through policy development and programs, and demonstrate an understanding of of policy and program activities that can be used to improve a food and nutrition situation, and relate and apply these to the planning framework

LO5.

Demonstrate an understanding and application of the main steps in the planning framework for public health nutrition, including intervention research and strategy options, implementation and evaluation planning including process, impact and outcome evaluations

LO6.

Demonstrate skills in written and oral communication, and skills in group work including collaboration, teamwork and group negotiation.

Assessment

Assessment summary

Category Assessment task Weight Due date
Product/ Design Community, Culture and Food Resource
  • Team or group-based
30%

22/08/2024 12:00 pm

Please submit via Blackboard

Reflection Case-study-based assessment
  • Online
30%

19/09/2024 4:00 pm

Further details will be available on the Blackboard site

Essay/ Critique Public Health Nutrition Program Proposal 40%

22/10/2024

All details will be on Blackboard.

Assessment details

Community, Culture and Food Resource

  • Team or group-based
Mode
Written
Category
Product/ Design
Weight
30%
Due date

22/08/2024 12:00 pm

Please submit via Blackboard

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L06

Task description

This task will be done in pairs. This activity is designed to provide an appreciation of the importance of understanding cultures, respectful cultural engagement and competency required when working with communities, to underline the importance of cultural safety and community participation in designing public health nutrition solutions. 

Students will produce a resource on the culture and food practices of a community different from their own. Your resource will highlight your findings and you will reflect on these findings and your assumptions.

Detailed instructions will be made available on Blackboard.

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

Please refer to the Policies and guidelines

Case-study-based assessment

  • Online
Mode
Written
Category
Reflection
Weight
30%
Due date

19/09/2024 4:00 pm

Further details will be available on the Blackboard site

Learning outcomes
L03, L04, L05, L06

Task description

This will be an online activity. The questions will be based on the example programs and strategies (also called case studies) presented during lectures and tutorials. The activity requires you to be familiar with the general principles involved in planning, implementing, and evaluating Nutrition Programs, as well as to respond to critically reflect on the application of these principles.

The activity will be available for 24 hours but will need to be completed in 2 hours once you access it.

Submission guidelines

Please follow instructions on Blackboard.

Please apply via myUQ and contact course coordinator if you require an extension to this task.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

Please refer to the Policies and guidelines

Public Health Nutrition Program Proposal

Mode
Written
Category
Essay/ Critique
Weight
40%
Due date

22/10/2024

All details will be on Blackboard.

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06

Task description

This is an individual task. Students will be expected to develop a full proposal for a strategy to address a chosen public health nutrition issue. You will be given a range of potential topics that you can work on, or identify your own (with approval). Approval will not be given for neuro-developmental/psychosocial or clinical-based issues. You will also be provided with a clear template to work with. Each student will choose an individual intervention plan.

Your strategy/plan will need to reflect clearly that it is of value in the context of community or public health nutrition. You will need to state clearly how your plan will be implemented, and how your project will be evaluated (including process, impact, and outcome evaluation). You are not expected to prepare an economic evaluation, though you will need to consider the implications. This assignment should be a maximum of 2000 +/- 10%. Assignments outside the 10% tolerance will incur a penalty.

 

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

Please refer to the Policies and guidelines

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Grade Description
1 (Low Fail)

Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: (typically 0 - 19%)

2 (Fail)

Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: (typically 20 - 44%)

3 (Marginal Fail)

Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes

Course grade description: (typically 45- 49%)

4 (Pass)

Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: (typically 50 - 64%)

5 (Credit)

Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: (typically 65 - 74%)

6 (Distinction)

Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: (typically 75 - 84%)

7 (High Distinction)

Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: (typically 85 - 100%)

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

The final grade awarded will be based on the results of the supplementary assessment only, and a passing grade will be awarded if, and only if, the student receives at least 50% of the marks on the supplementary assessment. 

Additional assessment information

Assignment Submission:ᅠ

Turnitin no longer automatically emails students a receipt when they upload an assignment.ᅠ Students need to download their receipt manually and keep a copy as proof of submission.ᅠ ᅠ

Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and/or using Tunitin.ᅠ

Before submitting any assignments for this course you must ensure you have completed UQ’sᅠcompulsory onlineᅠAcademic Integrity Tutorial.

When you successfully submit your assessment, you need to manually download your receipt and keep a copy as proof of submission as Turnitin no longer automatically emails students a receipt when an assignment is uploaded.ᅠ ᅠ

It is the responsibility of the student to check the assignment preview and confirm that the assignment has been successfully submitted.ᅠᅠ

If the submission was not successful:

  1. Note the error message (preferably take a screenshot)
  2. Go to your assignment page and see if it is possible to submit again
  3. If you cannot submit again, immediately email your course coordinator.ᅠ

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

A Blackboard site has been established for this course. You can access this directly by logging on to: http://www.elearning.uq.edu.au or via my.UQ by clicking on eLearn on the left hand side of the page. Once on the eLearn site, log on to your Blackboard course. Use the same user name and password that you use to log on to mySInet.

Use the booklet, eLearning with Blackboard, or the library’s AskIT Guide to Blackboard for further information: http://askit.uq.edu.au/itanswers/blackboard/

There is an email facility on the Blackboard site that enables staff to post messages to the class. This facility uses the email address assigned to you by the University. If you do not use this email address you need to send up a forwarding arrangement from this email to the one you usually access. The instructions on how to do this are to be found on mySI-Net. This is your responsibility.

Please note that books and journals relevant to social aspects of nutrition are located mainly in Biological Sciences and SS&H libraries, although some resources may be located at the Herston Medical Library.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

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Learning period Activity type Topic
Lecture

An Introduction to Community and Public Health Nutrition

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06

Lecture

The Intelligence Phase (1)

International, National and State priority areas in Public Health Nutrition policy

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04

Lecture

The Intelligence Phase (2)

What do we need to know? Community analysis and engagement; cultural awareness

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04

Lecture

Intelligence phase (3))

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04

Lecture

Action

Learning outcomes: L03, L04, L05

Lecture

Nutrition in Community

Guest:

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06

Lecture

Nutrition Action in the Community

Guest: TBC

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06

Case-based learning

Nutrition Action in the Community

Guest: tbc

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06

Lecture

Evaluation

Learning outcomes: L02, L04, L05, L06

Lecture

Dissemination and Advocacy in PHN

Learning outcomes: L02, L04, L05

General contact hours

Assessment finalisation

Learning outcomes: L04, L05, L06

General contact hours

Wrap-up

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06

Week 9

(16 Sep - 22 Sep)

Case-based learning

Assessment 2

Online assessment case-study activity

Additional learning activity information

Please note that more specific information about weekly lectures and tutorials will be on the course Blackboard site.

We have a number of external speakers in this course - please ensure that you attend these lectures.

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:

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.

Course guidelines

School of Public Health (SPH) Guidelines for late submission of progressive assessment - Preamble

To apply for an extension to the due date for a piece of progressive assessment (eg assignments, oral presentations and computer-based assignments) students should complete the online request at  https://my.uq.edu.au/node/218/1 

Information regarding deferral of in-semester exams and end-of-semester exams is available from https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/exams-and-assessment/deferring-exam 

If requesting an extension on medical grounds, a medical certificate must be provided. The extension will be approved for the number of days included in the medical certificate that the student was not fit to study or work, eg if the medical certificate is for 3 days, an extension will be approved for 3 days maximum regardless of the student's request.  

If requesting an extension using a Student Access Plan for Disability (SAPD) as evidence, a maximum of 7-day extension will be approved in the first instance. Updated medical documentation, as well as a copy of the SAPD, is required if requesting an extension for more than 7 days. 

The maximum time for an in-semester extension is four weeks.  

The following SPH guidelines are consistent with the UQ policy. However, the SPH Guidelines contain specific rules and interpretations for SPH courses, and requests for extension and penalties for late submissions will be judged according to the guidelines outlined in this document. You should read both the information in your my.UQ at the following link: https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/exams-and-assessment/applying-assessment-extension?p=1#1 and the SPH guidelines (below) before submitting a request for an extension. The SPH Guidelines apply to all courses offered by the School of Public Health unless the ECP explicitly states otherwise.

SPH Guidelines for late submission of progressive assessment

Initial extension for an individual item of assessment – the SPH Teaching & Assessment Support Team and/or the Course Coordinator decides.

This could be for medical or compassionate reasons, or if, in the opinion of the Course Coordinator, there are exceptional circumstances.

Acceptable and unacceptable reasons for an extension are listed at the following link, along with the required evidence to be provided: https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/exams-and-assessment/applying-assessment-extension?p=1#1 

All requests should be lodged at least 24 hours prior to the due date for the assessment.

If applying for an extension after the due date and time of the assessment item, your request may not be approved. An explanation as to why your request was not submitted prior must be included.       

If approved, a new due date will be set. This would generally be no later than 7 days after the original due date, however this can be modified to take account of the circumstances of the request and the time that would have been lost from studies.

If the new due date is past the date for submission of end-of-semester results, the student will receive an INC (incomplete) result.

Second and all subsequent extensions for an individual item of assessment – the SPH Teaching & Assessment Support Team and/or the Program Director together with the Course Coordinator decides.

This would only be approved for exceptional circumstance with supporting documentation.

  • Online requests must be made at least 24 hours prior to the due date from the first extension.
  • The SPH Teaching & Assessment Support Team and/or the Course Coordinator will consult with the Program Director, who will make the final decision.
  • If approved, the new due date would generally be no later than 7 days after the first extension due date.
  • The Program Director should consider if remedial or other support should be offered to the student.
  • The Program Director should provide a report on these matters as needed at SPH Examiners’ Meetings.

Please Note: In order to support course progression, extensions that total more than 14 calendar days from the original due date of an assessment item will only be approved in very exceptional circumstances. These requests are assessed and approved or denied on a case-by-case basis. 

If you have been ill or unable to attend class for more than 14 days, we advise you to carefully consider whether you are capable of successfully completing your courses this semester. You might be eligible to withdraw without academic penalty.

Penalty for late submission

Submission of assignments, practical reports, workbooks, and other types of written assessments after the due date specified in the Electronic Course Profile (ECP) will receive a penalty.

The penalty will be a deduction of 10% RELATIVE PERCENTAGE per day (24 hour period or part thereof, including weekends and public holidays) or for work graded on a 1-7 scale, a deduction of one grade per day, e.g If the original mark is 73%, then 10% relative percentage is 10% of this value, ie 7.3%, The final mark for this assessment item after applying the penalty for 1 day late submission would be 73 -7.3 = 65.7% The same outcome is achieved by multiplying the original score by .9; ie 73 x .9 = 65.7%

The penalty for multiple days late is the relative percentage multiplied by the number of days late. 

A submission that is not made within 10 days of the due date will receive a mark of 0% for that assessment item.

Where a student has sought more than one extension, the due date for calculating the penalty will be the due date for the most recently approved extension.

Submission of Medical Certificates

Students are responsible for ensuring that any medical documentation they submit is authentic and signed by a registered medical practitioner. Such practitioners can be identified via the AHPRA website. Also note that:

  • Not all online medical services are staffed by registered practitioners
  • If the registration status of the practitioner cannot be verified, then an alternative practitioner should be sought
  • Students will be held fully responsible for all documentation they submit, even if done so in ignorance of the practitioner's registration status

Medical documentation may be subjected to an audit by the University.

 

School of Public Health (SPH) Assessment Guidelines

The School of Public Health assessment tasks have been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. While students may us AI technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.

A failure to reference AI use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI tools.