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.
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 | |
| 208-250 Microbes in Agri-food Ecosystems | 12.5 | |
| or | ||
| 526-201 Principles of Microbiology & Immunology | 12.5 | |
| One elective from: | ||
| 208-202 Animal Physiology | 12.5 | |
| 208-206 Vineyard & Winery Operations S-A | 12.5 | |
| 208-247 Biotechnology for Land and Food | 12.5 | |
| 521-211 Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Part A | 12.5 | |
| 325-211 Principles of Marketing | 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 | |
| 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 | |
| One elective from: | ||
| 202-302 Human Resource Management | 12.5 | |
| 521-305 Biochemistry of Metabolism & Nutrition | 12.5 | |
| 325-307 Product and Brand Management | 12.5 | |
| 208-327 Molecular Biology of Food Microorganisms | 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: | ||
| 208-306 Agricultural Marketing | 12.5 | |
| 208-316 Oenology | 12.5 | |
| 208-345 Agricultural Management Economics | 12.5 | |
| 208-346 Production & Waste Management | 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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