Table of Contents

20. Bachelor of Food Science
    20.1. Course objectives
    20.2. Career opportunities
    20.3. Course outline


20. Bachelor of Food Science

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.

20.1. Course objectives

Students who have completed this course should have acquired:

20.2. Career opportunities

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.

20.3. Course outline

First year
Semester 1Points
 202-101 Chemistry for Land and Food Resources12.5
 or 
 610-141 Chemistry A12.5
 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 Resources12.5
 or 
 650-141 Biology of Cells and Organisms12.5
 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 Communication12.5
 or 
 202-107 Mathematics for Land and Food Resources12.5
 Students entering without Mathematical Methods or equivalent must take 202-107 Mathematics for Land and Food Resources. 
 One elective from: 
 208-109 Australian Agriculture12.5
 640-161 Physics: Principles & Applications A12.5
 316-102 Introductory Microeconomics12.5
 306-106 Business Process Analysis12.5
 Sub total50.0
Semester 2
 650-142 Genetics & The Evolution of Life12.5
 208-106 Introduction to Food Science12.5
 Two electives from: 
 202-106 Land Resources12.5
 207-101 Land, Food and Resource Economics12.5
 208-101 Farm Animal Biology12.5
 208-107 Vineyard & Winery Operations W-S12.5
 610-141 Chemistry A12.5
 610-142 Chemistry B12.5
 640-161 Physics: Principles & Applications A12.5
 Sub total50.0
Total Points100.0

Enrolment in elective studies is dependent on subject availability.

Second year
Semester 1Points
 202-202 Experimental Design/Statistical Methods12.5
 208-225 Food Chemistry, Biology and Nutrition12.5
 208-250 Microbes in Agri-food Ecosystems12.5
 or 
 526-201 Principles of Microbiology & Immunology12.5
 One elective from: 
 208-202 Animal Physiology12.5
 208-206 Vineyard & Winery Operations S-A12.5
 208-247 Biotechnology for Land and Food12.5
 521-211 Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Part A12.5
 325-211 Principles of Marketing12.5
 or other approved subjects from LFR or Science courses 
 Sub total50.0
Semester 2
 208-216 Food Microbiology12.5
 208-226 Food Structure and Function12.5
 Two electives from: 
 521-212 Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Part B12.5
 521-220 Techniques in Protein & Gene Technology12.5
 207-201 Resource Management Economics12.5
 208-201 Comparative Nutrition12.5
 208-207 Animal Management and Production12.5
 or other approved LFR subjects 
 Sub total50.0
Total Points100.0
Third year
Semester 1Points
 208-314 Technology of Food Processing12.5
 208-310 Analytical Techniques12.5
 208-321 Food Safety, Quality and Regulation12.5
 One elective from: 
 202-302 Human Resource Management12.5
 521-305 Biochemistry of Metabolism & Nutrition12.5
 325-307 Product and Brand Management12.5
 208-327 Molecular Biology of Food Microorganisms12.5
 or other approved LFR or science subject 
 Sub total50.0
Semester 2
 208-319 Trends in Food Science and Nutrition12.5
 208-322 Food Production Chain Management12.5
 208-343 Food Science Project12.5
 One elective from: 
 208-306 Agricultural Marketing12.5
 208-316 Oenology12.5
 208-345 Agricultural Management Economics12.5
 208-346 Production & Waste Management12.5
 or other approved elective from LFR or Science subjects 
 Sub total50.0
Total Points100.0
Fourth year (honours)
Semester 1Points
 208-411 Research Philosophies and Statistics12.5
 or 
 207-414 Social Research Methods12.5
 or 
 220-404 Methods for Forest & Ecosystem Research12.5
Semester 1 or 2
 Two electives (chosen from 300/400 level subjects across LFR)25.0
Year-long subjects
 202-401 Honours Research Project62.5
 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 Points100.0


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