Food Safety & Regulatory Science

ProfDip Food Safety & Regulatory Science
Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 30)

Food Safety is an essential Public Health issue without which there is a significant threat to health from foodborne disease. Understanding the legislation, policy and science behind maintaining a safe food system is essential for regulatory bodies, government and the agri-food industry.

This Professional Diploma integrates science, law and food policy from pre-harvest to the consumer and brings experts together from UCD and beyond to helps students to develop knowledge and understanding of food risk and regulation and acquire skills to disseminate and implement knowledge in practice.

This programme is delivered entirely online.

Course Description
The Professional Diploma in Food Safety and Regulatory Science is delivered through the UCD online Platform (Brightspace) and will consist of online lectures, videos, interactive learning, discussion boards and virtual classroom environments.

For each 10 credits module students are expected to undertake about 250 hours of work including online learning and independent learning activities. A repository of resources will be available to support your learning and as a UCD student you will have full access to the library. Tutorials are delivered during each module and there will also be interviews with guest speakers from the world of food safety and regulatory science.

Each module includes an assignment which will give you the opportunity to showcase your learning, development and appreciation of the issues involved.

Vision and Values Statement
This Professional Diploma in Food Safety & Regulatory Science programme has been designed for professionals within food companies and regulatory bodies to learn from leaders in the area of food safety and regulatory science within University College Dublin (UCD) as well as experts from public bodies and industry. This on-line programme gives professionals all the convenience that remote learning brings with flexibility in learning while also connecting them to all that UCD has to offer. On completion of this programme, they will be equipped with knowledge and skills relevant to Food Safety and Regulatory Science within the food industry and beyond which will develop their deep discipline specific knowledge through a metacognitive approach to drive their lifelong learning, career options and progression in their chosen field.

Programme Outcomes

Describe Global Food Regulatory Systems and how this shapes policy

Understand the regulatory context and requirements of Food and
Nutrition Labelling and health claims

Demonstrate knowledge of the role of key stakeholders in the Food Regulatory environment.

Describe key food safety issues and management strategies across the food chain.

Demonstrate knowledge of potential hazards and strategies to minimise them.

Understand the role of food industry standards in the management of food safety.

Understand the components of risk analysis: Risk Assessment, Risk Management and Risk Communication in the context of the food supply.

Describe the tools used to validate risk assessment strategies
Appreciate the value of a risk analysis approach to guiding global food safety policy.

Stage 1 - Core
Food Risk AnalysisFDSC40720
Science & Stds of Food SafetyFDSC40730
Food Regulation ExecFDSC40740

This programme is aimed at Executives within the national and global food industry. Appplicants must hold minimum of an upper second class degree (NFQ Level 8 or International equivalent) , in a cognate subject and /or have considerable relevant work experience in the Agri-food industry.

Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English Language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element) or equivalent.

The following entry routes are available:

Professional Diploma in Food Safety & Regulatory Science PT (D068)

Deadline
Rolling*

* Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes

1 year part-time online

Careers & Employability
On completion of this programme, you will be equipped with the knowledge and skills relevant to Food Safety and Regulatory Science within the food industry and beyond which will develop your deep discipline specific knowledge. This can enhance your career options, progression and capabilities within the food industry, regulatory body, or within your own business.