20. Bachelor of Food Science
20.1. Course objectives
20.2. Career opportunities
20.3. Course outline
The first year of this course is offered at the Parkville campus. During subsequent years specialist subjects may be taught using laboratory and pilot plant facilities available at the Gilbert Chandler campus. Graduates from this course will have an understanding of food production as a system that functions within limits of a regulatory environment and is influenced by international trade issues and consumer needs. Graduates will also understand emerging issues such as the use of new processing technologies (their potential benefits and possible risks) and the potential impact of new technologies on food production systems (such as genetic manipulation, nanobiotechnology, etc.).
The course comprises three years full-time study or equivalent part-time study.
Students who have completed this course should have acquired:
a detailed knowledge of scientific principles underpinning the conversion of raw agricultural products into safe, nutritious and interesting food;
an ability to understand the context of food production from different perspectives, including: the regulatory environment governing the supply of safe and high quality food; international trade; agricultural production and supply chain management; biotechnological innovation and food production;
skills to understand and analyse major emerging issues facing food production and the trends in processing science and technology being developed to solve emerging problems;
an understanding of the structure and organisation of the food processing industry and where this abuts agricultural production;
technical and leadership skills in the development of new processes and products;
skills to exchange, acquire and disseminate scientific information for the benefit of the food industry;
understanding of environmental issues relevant to food production and the technology needed to address these issues across the production chain;
a capacity and motivation for continuing independent learning; and
understanding of the rights, privileges and responsibilities conferred with the degree and memberships of professional associations.
Career choices are vast and growing. They range from a research and development officer for food processing companies to monitoring quality assurance standards of food products in the interests of public health; from developing functional food to managing food waste products; from a microbiologist for a multinational corporation to developing packaging for products sold in supermarkets.
Graduates can expect to find employment in food processing companies, the major supermarket conglomerates, government regulatory and research agencies (such as government departments and CSIRO) plus importing and exporting companies engaged in global food supply chains.
| First year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Points | |
| 202-101 Chemistry for Land and Food Resources | 12.5 | |
| or | ||
| 610-141 Chemistry A | 12.5 | |
| Students with a VCE score of 25 or greater in Chemistry or equivalent may enrol in 610-141 Chemistry A. | ||
| 202-103 Biology for Land and Food Resources | 12.5 | |
| or | ||
| 650-141 Biology of Cells and Organisms | 12.5 | |
| Students with a VCE score of 25 or greater in Biology may enrol in 650-141 Biology of Cells and Organisms. | ||
| 202-104 Information Technology and Communication | 12.5 | |
| or | ||
| 202-107 Mathematics for Land and Food Resources | 12.5 | |
| Students entering without Mathematical Methods or equivalent must take 202-107 Mathematics for Land and Food Resources. | ||
| 208-109 Australian Agriculture | 12.5 | |
| Sub total | 50.0 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| 650-142 Genetics & The Evolution of Life | 12.5 | |
| 207-101 Land, Food and Resource Economics | 12.5 | |
| 208-106 Introduction to Food Science | 12.5 | |
| One elective from: | ||
| 202-106 Land Resources | 12.5 | |
| 208-101 Farm Animal Biology | 12.5 | |
| 208-107 Vineyard and Winery Operations I | 12.5 | |
| 610-141 Chemistry A | 12.5 | |
| 610-142 Chemistry B | 12.5 | |
| Sub total | 50.0 | |
| Total Points | 100.0 | |
Enrolment in elective studies is dependent on subject availability.
| Second year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Points | |
| 202-202 Experimental Design/Statistical Methods | 12.5 | |
| 208-225 Food Chemistry, Biology and Nutrition | 12.5 | |
| 526-201 Principles of Microbiology & Immunology | 12.5 | |
| One elective from: | ||
| 208-202 Animal Physiology | 12.5 | |
| 208-206 Vineyard and Winery Operations II | 12.5 | |
| 208-247 Biotechnology for Land and Food | 12.5 | |
| 521-211 Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Part A | 12.5 | |
| or other approved subjects from LFR or Science courses | ||
| Sub total | 50.0 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| 208-216 Food Microbiology | 12.5 | |
| 208-226 Food Structure and Function | 12.5 | |
| Two electives from: | ||
| 521-212 Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Part B | 12.5 | |
| 521-220 Techniques in Protein & Gene Technology | 12.5 | |
| 207-201 Resource Management Economics | 12.5 | |
| 208-201 Comparative Nutrition | 12.5 | |
| 208-207 Animal Management and Production | 12.5 | |
| 208-218 Production Management | 12.5 | |
| 208-227 Molecular Biology of Food Microorganisms | 12.5 | |
| 208-228 Waste Management and Use | 12.5 | |
| 208-316 Oenology | 12.5 | |
| or other approved LFR subjects | ||
| Sub total | 50.0 | |
| Total Points | 100.0 | |
| Third year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Points | |
| 208-314 Technology of Food Processing | 12.5 | |
| 208-310 Analytical Techniques | 12.5 | |
| 208-321 Food Safety, Quality and Regulation | 12.5 | |
| 202-302 Human Resource Management | 12.5 | |
| or other approved LFR or science subject | ||
| Sub total | 50.0 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| 208-319 Trends in Food Science and Nutrition | 12.5 | |
| 208-322 Food Production Chain Management | 12.5 | |
| 208-343 Food Science Project | 12.5 | |
| One elective from: | ||
| 208-345 Agricultural Management Economics | 12.5 | |
| or other approved elective from LFR or Science subjects | ||
| Sub total | 50.0 | |
| Total Points | 100.0 | |
| Fourth year (honours) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Points | |
| 208-411 Research Philosophies and Statistics | 12.5 | |
| or | ||
| 207-414 Social Research Methods | 12.5 | |
| or | ||
| 220-404 Methods for Forest & Ecosystem Research | 12.5 | |
| Semester 1 or 2 | ||
| Two electives (chosen from 300/400 level subjects across LFR) | 25.0 | |
| Year-long subjects | ||
| 202-401 Honours Research Project | 62.5 | |
| 202-401 Honours Research Project (62.5 points, year-long) may be replaced by 202-402 Honours Research Project (62.5 points, Semester 1 or Semester 2) or 202-403 Honours Research Project (62.5 points, mid-year entry). | ||
| Total Points | 100.0 | |
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