Description

Food Quality, Safety and Nutrition with Professional Studies is about gaining the knowledge and understanding of each of these three key areas in relation to food production and consumption. Food quality concerns the ‘fitness for purpose’ of our food in terms of appearance (including colour and surface qualities), texture, flavor and odour and how these can be changed; Food safety considers the physical, microbiological and chemical aspects of our food which may be deleterious to human health and how these can be minimised; Nutrition concerns the nutrient supply from foods necessary to support the human body in health and during ill-health throughout all life stages.

The degree emphasizes the interrelationship between these areas and their equal importance in food production. As such the subjects studied are wide ranging and include: Food biochemistry, Human physiology, Food chemistry, Food microbiology, Food hygiene, Fundamental nutrition, Food quality, Food processing, Food commodities, Food policy, Food marketing, , Food psychology, Diet and Health, Food product development, Business innovation and entrepreneurship and Clinical nutrition.

At Queen’s, we aim to deliver a high quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable students to achieve their full academic potential. On the BSc in Food Quality, Safety and Nutrition with Professional studies we do this by providing a range of learning experiences which enable our students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society and make use of innovative technologies and a world class library that enhances their development as independent, lifelong learners. Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course are:

• Lectures: introduce basic information about new topics as a starting point for further self-directed private study/reading. Lectures also provide opportunities to ask questions and gain general feedback and advice on assessments. In many cases lecture notes are available prior to the lectures via Queen’s online [QOL].
• Practicals: where you will have opportunities to develop technical skills and apply theoretical principles from the module to real-life or practical contexts. In some cases you will design your own practicals and evaluate your success. You will be expected to attend between 0 and 2 practicals per week for a module depending on the content. For example Food hygiene and microbiology has 2 practical in a week, whereas Food marketing has no practicals.

• Learning technologies: Information associated with lectures and assignments is often communicated via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Queen’s Online [QOL] . A range of e-learning experiences are also embedded in the degree through, for example: interactive group workshops in a flexible learning space; IT and statistics; interactive web-based learning activities; opportunities to use IT programmes associated with practicals, project- based work and work placement.

• Seminars/tutorials: Teaching is also carried out in small groups (typically 10-20 students), which provides an invaluable opportunity for you to engage with academic staff who have specialist knowledge of the topic, to ask questions of them and to assess your own progress and understanding with the support of peers. You should expect to make presentations and other contributions to these groups.

• Self-directed study: This is a significant part of learning as a Queen’s student, when important private reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date and assignment research and preparation work is carried out. This learning activity forms the major time component of all modules.

• Work placements: Students taking Food Quality, Safety and Nutrition undertake a compulsory work-placement of at least 16 weeks (560 hours) between Stage 2 and Stage 3 of their degree. This is a significant learning and employability enhancement opportunity. The placement is assessed and counts in your degree classification as a module at level 2. You will be responsible for attaining your placement, supported by a careers officer and a programme of workshops. For many students this is the most important aspect of the degree. It enables you to experience the types of jobs which are available on graduation and through the preparation on Cv’s, interviews etc. ensures you are well prepared for the job market on graduation. See the section on Careers for example placement hosts.

• Work-Related learning/Field Trips/Study Tours: In modules throughout the degree, external experts are invited to give lectures, workshops or tutorials to enhance the learning opportunities of students. These guest speakers include representatives from Sainsbury’s, the Food Standards Agency and Campden BRI who bring a real life context to your studies and emphasise the current relevance of the degree. Visits are also arranged to support theoretical learning, i.e. to the Sensory analysis unit at AFBI in Belfast and to make bread and ice cream in the food processing facilities at Loughry campus of CAFRE.

• Certificates/awards: All students undertake the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health Level 3 Award in Food Safety Supervision for Manufacturing as part of the module in Food hygiene and microbiology and are considered for the City and Guilds Licentiateship Award from the work placement.

• Supervised projects: In final year, you will be expected to carry out either a significant piece of literature research [1.5 modules] or a practical investigation [2 modules] on a relevant topic. You will receive support through a series of workshops and from a supervisor who will guide you in terms of how to carry out your research and will provide feedback to you on at least 2 occasions during the report write up stage.

• Personal Tutor: You will be allocated a Personal Tutor normally from the academic staff on your course, who will meet with you on several occasions during Stages 1 and 2 to support your academic development. Further details are shown in the section on the Student Guidance Centre.

• Advisor of studies: You will be allocated an Advisor of studies who is responsible for monitoring and advising you on your academic progress throughout your degree.

Careers

Overview

Studying for a Food Quality, Safety and Nutritionwith Professional studiesdegree at Queen’s will assist you in developing the core skills and employment-related experiences that are valued by employers, professional organisations and academic institutions. There is a structured career development programme running throughout the degree, strongly linked to the compulsory work placement.

Graduates from this degree at Queen’s are well regarded by many employers (local, national and international) within the discipline area and demand for good food graduates exceeds supply within the UK. In addition, over half of all graduate jobs are now open to graduates of any discipline, including Food Quality, Safety and Nutrition.

Degree Plus and other related initiatives: Recognising student diversity, as well as promoting employability enhancements and other interests, is part of the developmental experience at Queen’s. Students are encouraged to plan and build their own, personal skill and experiential profile through a range of activities including; recognised Queen’s Certificates, placements and other work experiences (at home or overseas), Erasmus study options elsewhere in Europe, learning development opportunities and involvement in wider university life through activities, such as clubs, societies, and sports.

Queen’s actively encourages this type of activity by offering students an additional qualification, the Degree Plus Award (and the related Researcher Plus Award for PhD and MPhil students). Degree Plus accredits wider experiential and skill development gained through extra-curricular activities that promote the enhancement of academic, career management, personal and employability skills in a variety of contexts. As part of the Award, students are also trained on how to reflect on the experience(s) and make the link between academic achievement, extracurricular activities, transferable skills and graduate employment. Participating students will also be trained in how to reflect on their skills and experiences and can gain an understanding of how to articulate the significance of these to others, e.g. employers.

Overall, these initiatives, and Degree Plus in particular, reward the energy, drive, determination and enthusiasm shown by students engaging in activities over-and-above the requirements of their academic studies. These qualities are amongst those valued highly by graduate employers.