Course Title: Clinical Nutrition 2 - The Micronutrients

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Clinical Nutrition 2 - The Micronutrients

Credit Points: 12.00


Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

OHTH2089

Bundoora Campus

Postgraduate

150H Health Sciences

Distance / Correspondence

Sem 2 2006,
Sem 1 2007,
Sem 1 2008,
Sem 2 2008,
Sem 1 2009

Course Coordinator: Prof Marc Cohen

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 99257440

Course Coordinator Email: marc.cohen@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: RMIT, Bundoora West Campus, BLD 202, Level 4 room 14


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Satisfactory completion of Course 1 – OHTH 2088 or if Courses done concurrently
Must be a health-care practitioner who
1. holds an undergraduate university degree relevant to the award and approved by the Faculty Board -OR-
2. is a Healthcare Practitioner who can demonstrate other qualifications and/or relevant experience that adequately prepares them for candidature
Primary health-care practitioners with diploma-level qualifications from professionally accredited private education colleges and a minimum of 5 years in active clinical practice may also be eligible for entry into the program, subject to approval by the duly constituted Program Admissions Committee.
NB: The Graduate Diploma in Nutrition Medicine program was designed to provide experienced, registered natural health practitioners, who have appropriate basic sciences training, the opportunity to achieve postgraduate university qualifications in Nutrition Medicine. Thus, we welcome applications from experienced health care professionals who have acquired the clinical practice expertise required to successfully complete the graduate diploma award and gain entry into the master’s degree program.
Graduates with other qualifications may also be eligible for admission into this program, subject to completion of appropriate bridging courses that include the study of Anatomy & Physiology, Biochemistry and Pathology or Disease States


Course Description

This course consists of five distinct modules plus a compulsory Residential School. The modules focus on the study of micronutrient function, utilisation and food sources for the fat-soluble vitamins, water soluble vitamins, macrominerals and microminerals and, in module 5, the biological impact of a variety of other ‘accessory nutrients’ is considered. These modules add further to the nutritional core knowledge studied in Course 1 that underpins effective clinical practice.



Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course provides part of the basic knowledge of food micronutrient composition and utilisation required for a thorough understanding of nutrient assessment and prescription in clinical practice, and comprises part of the essential foundation for the later clinically oriented courses and clinical practice itself.


On completion of this course, students will be able to:

1) Understand the role of vitamin and mineral status in the maintenance of health and management of disease.
2) Understand the absorption, metabolism and function of vitamins and minerals.
3) Identify the major food sources of micronutrient intake and their presence in the diet.
4) Appreciate the biological and therapeutic impact of a variety of non-essential and conditionally essential nutrients on health and disease
5)Understand how fat soluble vitamins, differ from one another in structure and function
6) Understand how the body digests, transports, stores, metabolises and excretes fat soluble vitamins
7) Understand the interactions between fat soluble vitamins and other nutrients
8) Explain the functions and functional requirements of fat soluble vitamins
9) Recognise the signs and symptoms of fat soluble vitamin deficiency
10) Discuss the adverse effects of excessive consumption of fat soluble vitamins
11) Understand the therapeutic usage of fat soluble vitamins


Overview of Learning Activities

Collection of food data and dietary history from patients, analysis of food and dietary components.

Clinical interpretation of biochemical pathways in relation to micronutrients .

Weekly online discussions

Five day Residential School


Overview of Learning Resources

Study Guide, Textbooks, Readings, Online Discussions, Residential School, Data Collection and Interpretation


Overview of Assessment

The course assessment will consists of
1. The satisfactory completion of two assignments
2. Participation in a minimum of 10 On-line discussions for each course.
3. Attendance to at least 1 Residential School – held in Brisbane, Australia each year