XNB453 Professional Practice in Nutrition
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | XNB453 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | LQB481 and (LQB488 or LSB250) and (XNB255 or XNH355) and (XNB350 or XNH350 or PUB509) and (XNB251 or PUB405) and XNB252 and XNB345 and completion of 240cp including all core units |
| Assumed Knowledge: | Students are expected to have completed all theoretical units in nutrition |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $1,192 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,704 |
| International unit fee | $5,784 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2026, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | XNB453 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | LQB481 and (LQB488 or LSB250 or LSB231) and (XNB255 or XNH355) and (XNB350 or XNH350 or PUB509) and (XNB251 or PUB405) and XNB252 and XNB345 and completion of 240cp including all core units |
| Assumed Knowledge: | Students are expected to have completed all theoretical units in nutrition |
| Coordinator: | Carolyn Keogh | carolyn.keogh@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This unit is the capstone unit of your course and captures the work that you have learned across your degree. To develop effective nutrition programs/strategies, you must apply appropriate theories, real-world food and nutrition knowledge, attitudes and beliefs and issues of different community groups. You will have opportunity to work on community programs that support diverse community groups that interconnect with other health services. Program planning underpins the community nutrition placement and this unit applies your program planning skills to a nutrition related project. Note: Students may only enrol in this unit in Semester 1 with Course Coordinator permission.
This is a designated unit which is essential to your course progression. Designated units include professional experience units, units requiring the development of particular skills, and units requiring demonstration of certain personal qualities. If you fail to achieve a satisfactory level of performance in a designated unit, you may be excluded from enrolment or will be put on academic probation. If you fail a designated unit twice within your course, you may be excluded. Supplementary assessment is not available on designated units.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Implement knowledge and principles of project management in nutrition programs, projects and activities
- Exercise evidence based, ethical, inclusive and culturally safe practice and demonstrate entrepreneurial approaches to nutrition practice
- Interpret and communicate technical food and nutrition information and skills to specialist and non specialist audiences
- Collaborate within and across teams effectively in a cultural safe, responsive and inclusive manner
Content
This unit incorporates a Work Integrated Learning placement where you will undertake project work as designated by the unit coordinator. You will be required to work on a project for the equivalent of 15 days across the Semester at your placement site. This will involve stakeholder consultations with diverse groups at various locations and you will need to be flexible to meet the project requirements. Wherever possible you will undertake the project in pairs.
Specific skill and graduate capabilities you will demonstrate include:
- knowledge and skills relevant to nutrition practice;
- critical, creative and analytical thinking, and effective problem-solving;
- effective communication in a variety of contexts and modes;
- the capacity for life-long learning;
- the ability to work independently and collaboratively;
- social and ethical responsibility and an understanding of Indigenous and international perspectives;
- characteristics of self-reliance and leadership.
- advocacy and entrepreneurship
- career planning
In this unit you will also complete a tailored employability module to add to your whole of course Leadership in Nutrition Practice ePortfolio.
Learning Approaches
This unit will be available in internal mode. This unit engages you through practical application experiences. You will have the opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills from your course during a Work Integrated Learning experience. You will be placed in pairs or up to groups of four over the semester. You will receive support from the unit coordinator throughout the placement. You are expected to demonstrate initiative and problem solving skills and demonstrate self-direction and accountability for your own learning. You will engage in fortnightly tutorials across the Semester to support your learning.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback to Students
Formative assessment will be spaced throughout the semester to provide the opportunity for feedback on your learning at key points and a summative assessment will be undertaken upon completion of your Work Integrated Learning placement. Personal development and reflection are encouraged throughout. Feedback will also be provided through regular tutorials throughout the semester.
Assessment
Overview
General Assessment Information
There are three pieces of assessment to be completed in this unit and each task is designed to assess particular learning outcomes.
In this unit, Assessment 2, is designed for you to bring together your course journey and focus on your next steps. As you review your whole of course Leadership in Nutrition Practice ePortfolio, you are encouraged to reflect on your materials you have deposited across your course, your growth, the ups and downs, and identify items of work and examples of experience of working with others that you can use to showcase your excellence and resilience as a reflective, culturally safe, evidenced based, entrepreneurial practitioner in nutrition.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Project management - nutrition rationale
As part of your WIL placement you will be required to undertake a scoping review of the literature (including peer reviewed, grey and Government reports and websites) related to the nutrition topic identified for your Work Integrated Placement project. In completing this task, you will demonstrate the first phase of the project management planning cycle where you will provide a rationale for the implementation of your proposed placement project. In preparing your rationale, you will develop a matrix to synthesize the literature and guide your review.
Your rationale will be a maximum of 3 pages. You will also submit your list of references used for the literature review (2 pages maximum), and a matrix table (2 pages maximum)
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details page for specific guidelines.
Assessment: Leadership in Nutrition Practice - Capstone ePortfolio
You will complete a series of activities, reflections and artefacts and compile these in your whole of course portfolio to demonstrate your competence in nutrition, graduate attributes and readiness for employment. Your portfolio will be comprised of:
- a log of your placement (up to 3 pages) and provide a supervisor and stakeholder report of your performance.
- a professionalism form (2 pages).
- an innovative video pitch to describe yourself for a prospective employer/business (3 minutes)
- professional resume (2 pages)
- a profile of the Traditional Owners of the Lands where your placement took place and a description of the professionals and organisations working in partnership with these communities (1 page)
- reflection on your cultural safety (1 page)
- reflections on your professional attributes, competence, capabilities and career plans in the form of a job application (2 pages)
This assessment is authentic, as it reflects the materials you need to provide a prospective employer.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details page for specific guidelines.
Assessment: Placement Project Report
You will attend one organisation and undertake project work as designated by the placement supervisor and unit coordinator. You will be required to work on a project within a designated organisation for the equivalent of 15 days over the semester with some flexibility to cater to placement supervisor and project needs.
Your project is authentic, as it is the work that nutritionists do in practice in an organisation. Your work will be supervised within the organsiation your QUT unit coordinator who both will verify your contribution..
You will submit a brief 1 page project plan on your project in the early stages of your placement for formative feedback from your QUT unit coordinator.
You will write a placement project report (5 pages), and submit the materials you have developed for this project (either electronic or written - length/type variable).
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited in this assessment.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Requirements to Study
Requirements
See the Workplace Integrated Learning website for further details including vaccination and working with children requirements.
Blue Card
A blue card is required to complete this unit. A blue card confirms that you have passed a screening of your criminal history (the Working with Children Check) and have been approved to work with children and young people. For more information on the blue card and how to apply please visit the QUT website.
Resources
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Hughes, R., and Margetts, B. (2011). Practical public health nutrition. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.
Other
XNH350 Community and Public Health Nutrition unit learning materials and other resources as required.
Risk Assessment Statement
Assessment for this unit will involve a workplace-based assignment. You should be aware of and abide by the health and safety requirements of the workplace. You are expected to undergo any induction or other training provided in the workplace for employees or visitors to the workplace as appropriate.
If you are working in a laboratory you will be required to undergo an induction and to abide by all the requirements as established.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.XN43 Bachelor of Nutrition Science
- Apply broad theoretical, technical and cultural knowledge and skills in food and nutrition, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, to respond to a diverse range of contexts and audiences.
Relates to: Project management - nutrition rationale, Leadership in Nutrition Practice - Capstone ePortfolio, Placement Project Report - Analyse and apply evidence-based research and practice to provide informed, client-centred, and sustainable solutions to sometimes complex current and emerging food and nutrition problems.
Relates to: Project management - nutrition rationale, Leadership in Nutrition Practice - Capstone ePortfolio, Placement Project Report - Communicate and translate technical food and nutrition information clearly, safely and inclusively using a range of oral, written and digital technologies and formats responsive to the diverse cultural, social and cognitive needs of the intended audience, communities and other professionals
Relates to: Project management - nutrition rationale, Leadership in Nutrition Practice - Capstone ePortfolio, Placement Project Report - Perform as an inclusive, competent, culturally responsive and ethical professional, working autonomously and collaboratively on innovative and entrepreneurial approaches in food and nutrition.
Relates to: Leadership in Nutrition Practice - Capstone ePortfolio, Placement Project Report
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2026, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | XNB453 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | LQB481 and (LQB488 or LSB250 or LSB231) and (XNB255 or XNH355) and (XNB350 or XNH350 or PUB509) and (XNB251 or PUB405) and XNB252 and XNB345 and completion of 240cp including all core units |
| Assumed Knowledge: | Students are expected to have completed all theoretical units in nutrition |
Overview
This unit is the capstone unit of your course and captures the work that you have learned across your degree. To develop effective nutrition programs/strategies, you must apply appropriate theories, real-world food and nutrition knowledge, attitudes and beliefs and issues of different community groups. You will have opportunity to work on community programs that support diverse community groups that interconnect with other health services. Program planning underpins the community nutrition placement and this unit applies your program planning skills to a nutrition related project. Note: Students may only enrol in this unit in Semester 1 with Course Coordinator permission.
This is a designated unit which is essential to your course progression. Designated units include professional experience units, units requiring the development of particular skills, and units requiring demonstration of certain personal qualities. If you fail to achieve a satisfactory level of performance in a designated unit, you may be excluded from enrolment or will be put on academic probation. If you fail a designated unit twice within your course, you may be excluded. Supplementary assessment is not available on designated units.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Implement knowledge and principles of project management in nutrition programs, projects and activities
- Exercise evidence based, ethical, inclusive and culturally safe practice and demonstrate entrepreneurial approaches to nutrition practice
- Interpret and communicate technical food and nutrition information and skills to specialist and non specialist audiences
- Collaborate within and across teams effectively in a cultural safe, responsive and inclusive manner
Content
This unit incorporates a Work Integrated Learning placement where you will undertake project work as designated by the unit coordinator. You will be required to work on a project for the equivalent of 15 days across the Semester at your placement site. This will involve stakeholder consultations with diverse groups at various locations and you will need to be flexible to meet the project requirements. Wherever possible you will undertake the project in pairs.
Specific skill and graduate capabilities you will demonstrate include:
- knowledge and skills relevant to nutrition practice;
- critical, creative and analytical thinking, and effective problem-solving;
- effective communication in a variety of contexts and modes;
- the capacity for life-long learning;
- the ability to work independently and collaboratively;
- social and ethical responsibility and an understanding of Indigenous and international perspectives;
- characteristics of self-reliance and leadership.
- advocacy and entrepreneurship
- career planning
In this unit you will also complete a tailored employability module to add to your whole of course Leadership in Nutrition Practice ePortfolio.
Learning Approaches
This unit will be available in internal mode. This unit engages you through practical application experiences. You will have the opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills from your course during a Work Integrated Learning experience. You will be placed in pairs or up to groups of four over the semester. You will receive support from the unit coordinator throughout the placement. You are expected to demonstrate initiative and problem solving skills and demonstrate self-direction and accountability for your own learning. You will engage in fortnightly tutorials across the Semester to support your learning.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback to Students
Formative assessment will be spaced throughout the semester to provide the opportunity for feedback on your learning at key points and a summative assessment will be undertaken upon completion of your Work Integrated Learning placement. Personal development and reflection are encouraged throughout. Feedback will also be provided through regular tutorials throughout the semester.
Assessment
Overview
General Assessment Information
There are three pieces of assessment to be completed in this unit and each task is designed to assess particular learning outcomes.
In this unit, Assessment 2, is designed for you to bring together your course journey and focus on your next steps. As you review your whole of course Leadership in Nutrition Practice ePortfolio, you are encouraged to reflect on your materials you have deposited across your course, your growth, the ups and downs, and identify items of work and examples of experience of working with others that you can use to showcase your excellence and resilience as a reflective, culturally safe, evidenced based, entrepreneurial practitioner in nutrition.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Project management - nutrition rationale
As part of your WIL placement you will be required to undertake a scoping review of the literature (including peer reviewed, grey and Government reports and websites) related to the nutrition topic identified for your Work Integrated Placement project. In completing this task, you will demonstrate the first phase of the project management planning cycle where you will provide a rationale for the implementation of your proposed placement project. In preparing your rationale, you will develop a matrix to synthesize the literature and guide your review.
Your rationale will be a maximum of 3 pages. You will also submit your list of references used for the literature review (2 pages maximum), and a matrix table (2 pages maximum)
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details page for specific guidelines.
Assessment: Leadership in Nutrition Practice - Capstone ePortfolio
You will complete a series of activities, reflections and artefacts and compile these in your whole of course portfolio to demonstrate your competence in nutrition, graduate attributes and readiness for employment. Your portfolio will be comprised of:
- a log of your placement (up to 3 pages) and provide a supervisor and stakeholder report of your performance.
- a professionalism form (2 pages).
- an innovative video pitch to describe yourself for a prospective employer/business (3 minutes)
- professional resume (2 pages)
- a profile of the Traditional Owners of the Lands where your placement took place and a description of the professionals and organisations working in partnership with these communities (1 page)
- reflection on your cultural safety (1 page)
- reflections on your professional attributes, competence, capabilities and career plans in the form of a job application (2 pages)
This assessment is authentic, as it reflects the materials you need to provide a prospective employer.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details page for specific guidelines.
Assessment: Placement Project Report
You will attend one organisation and undertake project work as designated by the placement supervisor and unit coordinator. You will be required to work on a project within a designated organisation for the equivalent of 15 days over the semester with some flexibility to cater to placement supervisor and project needs.
Your project is authentic, as it is the work that nutritionists do in practice in an organisation. Your work will be supervised within the organsiation your QUT unit coordinator who both will verify your contribution..
You will submit a brief 1 page project plan on your project in the early stages of your placement for formative feedback from your QUT unit coordinator.
You will write a placement project report (5 pages), and submit the materials you have developed for this project (either electronic or written - length/type variable).
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited in this assessment.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Requirements to Study
Requirements
See the Workplace Integrated Learning website for further details including vaccination and working with children requirements.
Blue Card
A blue card is required to complete this unit. A blue card confirms that you have passed a screening of your criminal history (the Working with Children Check) and have been approved to work with children and young people. For more information on the blue card and how to apply please visit the QUT website.
Resources
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Hughes, R., and Margetts, B. (2011). Practical public health nutrition. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.
Other
XNH350 Community and Public Health Nutrition unit learning materials and other resources as required.
Risk Assessment Statement
Assessment for this unit will involve a workplace-based assignment. You should be aware of and abide by the health and safety requirements of the workplace. You are expected to undergo any induction or other training provided in the workplace for employees or visitors to the workplace as appropriate.
If you are working in a laboratory you will be required to undergo an induction and to abide by all the requirements as established.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.XN43 Bachelor of Nutrition Science
- Apply broad theoretical, technical and cultural knowledge and skills in food and nutrition, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, to respond to a diverse range of contexts and audiences.
Relates to: Project management - nutrition rationale, Leadership in Nutrition Practice - Capstone ePortfolio, Placement Project Report - Analyse and apply evidence-based research and practice to provide informed, client-centred, and sustainable solutions to sometimes complex current and emerging food and nutrition problems.
Relates to: Project management - nutrition rationale, Leadership in Nutrition Practice - Capstone ePortfolio, Placement Project Report - Communicate and translate technical food and nutrition information clearly, safely and inclusively using a range of oral, written and digital technologies and formats responsive to the diverse cultural, social and cognitive needs of the intended audience, communities and other professionals
Relates to: Project management - nutrition rationale, Leadership in Nutrition Practice - Capstone ePortfolio, Placement Project Report - Perform as an inclusive, competent, culturally responsive and ethical professional, working autonomously and collaboratively on innovative and entrepreneurial approaches in food and nutrition.
Relates to: Leadership in Nutrition Practice - Capstone ePortfolio, Placement Project Report