Why Bachelor of Health Science (Nutrition and Exercise)?
Diabetes, cardiovascular disease and metabolic dysfunction are increasingly common. This calls for informed nutrition and exercise practitioners who can help with both prevention and treatment.
The Bachelor of Health Science (Nutrition and Exercise) is a 100% online degree that builds your skills in two highly complementary fields. Promote nutrition and exercise for preventative health while inspiring a healthy and active society.
If you have a passion for nutrition and exercise and love helping people – this degree is for you.
Overview
It’s no secret nutrition and exercise go hand in hand when it comes to living a healthy life. With Adelaide University’s online Bachelor of Health Science (Nutrition and Exercise), you’ll develop the knowledge and skills to help individuals make nutritional and cardiovascular changes that could transform their lives. You’ll learn from teachers with decades of science and nutrition education experience, as well as leading academics and researchers.
Develop expert knowledge on national physical activity and dietary guidelines. Be informed on current and emerging industry trends. Build skills in health evaluation, project management and biological sciences, while exploring the relationships between individuals and society that influence health patterns. Complete your courses 100% online so you can be in charge of when, where and how you study.
Graduate with the skills to interpret scientific research and analyse quantitative and qualitative data. You’ll be able to translate scientific information into practical eating and exercise advice. Work on projects that have the potential to make a real difference to individuals’ health and wellbeing. Get ready to work in a range of rewarding roles across the health industry.
Key features
Build your skills in both nutrition and exercise – two complementary fields.- Support community health and wellbeing through physical activity and nutrition.
- Learn from experts and academics at the forefront of new discoveries in exercise and food sciences.
- Study a curriculum informed by world-class research in health sciences.
- Develop professional communication skills, ready to step straight into the industry.
- Prepare for a rewarding career helping people lead healthier lives.
What you'll learn
This degree explores the latest developments in nutrition and health, while building essential skills for the health industry.
Explore how food, nutrition, health and exercise impact the biological, psychological and social aspects of life. Investigate diets and lifestyles that promote optimal health, as well as the associations between nutrient intake, energy output and obesity.
You'll learn how nutrition and diet influence physical activity and lifestyle changes. Investigate ways to enhance physical performance for healthy, active individuals. Build project management skills to effectively plan and manage risks involved in implementing health changes for clients. Enhance your professional communication to work with diverse people.
Your topics will include, but are not limited to:
- Professional communication to work in health
- Psychology of exercise, sport and health
- Food safety, quality and security
- Nutrition for exercise and performance
- Project management for health and wellness
- Food as medicine.
You can also tailor your studies to your interests by choosing two electives from a range of our online degrees.
What courses you'll study
Complete 144 units comprising:
- 132 units for all Core courses, and
- 12 units for Electives
Complete 132 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course name
UO Foundations of Human Biology 1
|
Course code
BIOL1028
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UO Foundations of Human Biology 2
|
Course code
BIOL1029
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UO Foundations of Health and Physical Activity
|
Course code
HLTH1026
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UO Lifespan Growth and Motor Development
|
Course code
HLTH1027
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UO Foundations of Nutrition and Health
|
Course code
NUTR1001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UO Health and Society
|
Course code
PUBH1008
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UO Professional Communication to Work in the Health Industry
|
Course code
HLTH2012
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UO Body in Motion 1
|
Course code
HLTH2013
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UO Body in Motion 2
|
Course code
HLTH2014
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UO Nutrition and Exercise Biochemistry
|
Course code
HLTH2016
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UO Theory of Exercise Testing and Prescription 1
|
Course code
HLTH2017
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UO Theory of Exercise Testing and Prescription 2
|
Course code
HLTH2018
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UO Measuring Movement
|
Course code
HUMV2003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UO Human Nutrition
|
Course code
NUTR2005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UO Lifespan Nutrition
|
Course code
NUTR2007
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UO Project Management for Health and Wellness
|
Course code
HLTH3020
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UO Adapted Physical Activity, Exercise and Sport
|
Course code
HUMV3006
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UO Food as Medicine
|
Course code
NUTR3004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UO Food Safety, Quality and Security
|
Course code
NUTR3005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UO Nutrition for Exercise and Performance
|
Course code
NUTR3006
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UO Psychology of Exercise, Sport and Health
|
Course code
PSYC3033
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UO Applications in Nutrition and Exercise
|
Course code
SOCI3018
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Units |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | |
|
Course name
Or program Elective |
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Units
6
|
|
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|
Units
6
|
|
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|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |
|
Course name
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Units
6
|
|
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|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |
|
Course name
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Units
6
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|
Course name
|
Units
6
|
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Units
6
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Units
6
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Units
6
|
Complete 12 units comprising:
- 12 units from Program electives
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
UO Critical Approaches to Online Learning
|
Course code
SOCI3014
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Elective 1
|
Course code
AUXX1011
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Elective 2
|
Course code
AUXX1012
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Units |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | |
|
Course name
Or program Elective |
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |
|
Course name
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |
|
Course name
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Units
6
|
Career outcomes
As a health professional, your career opportunities will be varied. You’ll be equipped to work in federal, state and local government, the not-for-profit sector, private enterprise, and community and health agencies. Or, in a hospital, university or a health research institute.
You might be a public health educator, designing workshops to promote healthy eating and exercise habits for communities. You could be a corporate wellness adviser, running programs to help businesses optimise employee health. Perhaps you’ll be self-employed as a health coach, supporting individuals to reach their personal wellness goals.
You may decide to specialise in particular client groups such as the elderly or high performing athletes.
You could also pursue the following careers:
- Health and wellness lifestyle adviser
- Nutrition and exercise consultant
- Health promotion officer
- Active and healthy ageing adviser.
Industry trends
The World Health Organization reports global adult obesity has more than doubled since 1990 and adolescent obesity has increased fourfold (WHO, 2024). In Australia, there’s a significant difference between recommended dietary guidelines and what people really eat. It’s estimated that 91% of children and 94% of adults don’t get adequate amounts of daily fruits and vegetables (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2023).
With this degree, you can harness your knowledge of nutrition and exercise to help individuals and communities make sustainable changes to support their health and wellbeing.
Your study experience and support
Studying 100% online with Adelaide University means joining a dynamic community of learners – all supported by dedicated teams committed to your success. From day one to graduation, you’ll have access to comprehensive academic, student and technical support teams to ensure you get the most out of your online learning journey.
Student support services
Need help with enrolments, managing your study load, or setting your academic goals? Our student support team is here to assist. They’re your first point of contact for advice and are available seven days a week, including out-of-hours and on weekends. Get the help you need – when it suits you.
As an online student, you’ll also have access to our specialised on-campus student support services. Whether you’re looking for career advice, health and wellbeing support, international student assistance, accessibility services, or something else, we’ve got you covered. Visit the Support webpage to explore the services available.
Online academic support
From understanding course content to tackling assignments, writing, and referencing, our expert academics are here to guide you. Available seven days a week, they’ll provide personalised support to help you progress through your studies.
Tech support
We’ve got your back when it comes to technology. Our IT support team is available 24/7 to resolve any tech challenges you might face. With fast response times and tailored solutions, we’ll ensure nothing stands in your way. You’ll also enjoy free access to software downloads required for your program.
Study hours
Adelaide University’s 100% online programs offer the flexibility to fit your lifestyle. You can engage with course materials at any time that works for you – there’s no need to log in at set times. To stay on track, we recommend setting aside 10 to 15 hours per week for each course, but you can adapt your schedule and your study load to suit your needs.
Assessment
All assessments, including exams (if required) are conducted 100% online – so you’ll never need to travel to submit an assignment or sit an exam. Depending on your program, your assessments might include:
- An industry-relevant project or case study
- An online presentation
- Essays and reports.
