Sustainable Food Processing
MSc Sustainable Food Processing
Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 90)
Are you interested in being part of the solution to one of the most significant challenges humanity will face in the upcoming decades?
Global populations are rapidly expanding, and it is clear that we need to harness the potential for sustainable food production to meet the increased demand. This urgent need for change is being recognized by food companies worldwide, leading to a renewed focus on sustainable practices and the creation of new roles to address this issue. At UCD, we have a long-standing commitment to addressing environmental sustainability concerns. We are uniquely positioned to provide the skills, knowledge, and expertise to a new generation of individuals passionate about tackling this pressing global topic. If you share the determination to make a positive impact and contribute to a more sustainable future, our institution can offer you the educational foundation and opportunities to become a part of the solution.
The MSc in Sustainable Food Processing will provide students with excellent knowledge of the principles underlying the sustainable processing of foods and enable graduates to apply the technical knowledge acquired to the production of high quality, safe and nutritious foods, while maximising sustainability and minimising the environmental impact of food production and processing.
The School of Agriculture and Food Science has many long-standing online MSc programmes, and as a result we are acutely aware that students require a programme that can be integrated into their busy schedules to successfully complete programmes of this nature. We have designed this MSc to be flexible, with all lectures, tutorials and other online learning tools available to you when you need them. As a fully remote, online course, we hope to make this programme as accessible as possible to people who want to study while remaining in full-time employment.
The course is delivered by leading international experts from the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science and the UCD Institute of Food and Health. Graduates will be skilled in proposing and developing solutions to sustainability problems as they relate to post-farm-gate food processing from the point of production to the point of sale, and communicating these to stakeholders professionally.
In a time where we need to find new ways of processing food at unprecedented volumes whilst minimising their environmental impact, graduates of this programme will acquire a critical awareness of principles relating to scientific integrity and ethical issues in Sustainable Food Processing using a range of approaches.
This course is aimed at individuals working full-time in the food industry who are charged with improving the sustainability of food systems, or recent graduates who wish to specialise in the area of sustainability.
Subjects taught
Stage 1 - Option
Life Cycle AssessmentBSEN30360
Chemistry of NutrientsFDSC40500
Food Microbiology & SafetyFDSC40520
Principles of BiochemistryFDSC40530
Bioinformatics in Food SafetyFDSC40710
Food Micro HazardsFDSC40870
Animal FoodsFDSC40890
Food MicrobiologyFDSC40900
Food ProcessingFDSC40910
Plant FoodsFDSC40920
Sustainability ProjectFDSC40930
Food ToxicologyFDSC40940
Food Health and DietFDSC40950
Food Safety GenomicsFDSC40970
Sustainability in DietFDSC40980
Food SecurityFDSC41020
Food Chain Integrity O/LFDSC41030
Environmental Food ProcessingFDSC41040
One Health O/LFDSC41050
Food Regulatory Affairs (O/L)HNUT40100
Food Quality and Safety (O/L)HNUT40110
Research Design and StatisticsHNUT40130
Entry requirements
• Applicants must hold a minimum of a Second-Class Honors degree in a cognate subject (Science, Engineering or related discipline), or international equivalent.
• Applicants with other awards who hold substantial relevant work experience will be considered.
• Applicants who do not hold the requisite Science qualification (but who hold a Level 8 Honors degree or equivalent) have been admitted previously and are advised to submit an application for assessment by the Programme Director to determine eligibility.
• 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.
Application dates
How to Apply?
The following entry routes are available:
MSc Sustainable Food Processing PT (D074)
Duration
2 Years
Attend
Part Time
Deadline
Rolling*
* Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised.
Duration
2 years part-time. Mode of Delivery: Online.
Enrolment dates
Next Intake: 2024/2025 September.
Post Course Info
Careers & Employability
The course is aimed at individuals working full-time in the food industry charged with improving the sustainability of food systems or those working in the food industry seeking to upskill and differentiate themselves for a career in this area. Recent graduates of food or health related disciplines seeking new careers in this rapidly expanding sector are also encouraged to apply.
Graduates of this MSc will be positioned for leadership roles in this critically important sector for the Irish and Global economy.
Opportunities for employment include: Sustainability Manager, Environmental Of?cer, Food Processing Manager, Food Production Manager, Food Safety , New Product Development, Food Regulation Manager as well as emerging opportunities around Sustainable Food Systems.