Study Food Science at Otago
Overview
Understanding food, its components, quality and consumer appeal are the ingredients of Food Science. At the University of Otago, Food Science papers aim to prepare people for creative, challenging, diverse and rewarding food industry careers.
The discipline has three major areas of study: Food Science (for the BSc degree), Consumer Food Science (for the BAppSc degree), and Food Innovation (for the BAppSc degree).
Food Science
Food Science builds upon the basic sciences of Biology, Chemistry and Physics and it interacts with such diverse scientific disciplines as Human Nutrition, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Process Engineering. All play an important role in the understanding of the foods we produce, manufacture and consume.
Some of the topics addressed by Food Science include: food manufacturing (product development, processing, packaging); what food is made of (food chemistry and analysis); what has been added (vitamins, preservatives, colour, flavour); how stable it is (shelf life, microbiology); safety (food contaminants, food poisoning); and sensory properties (taste, appearance, smell, texture).
In Food Science, there are several specialisation options: Food Chemistry (the study and analysis of food components); Food Product Development (how products are formulated and processed for the market); Food Quality and Safety (microbiologically safe and non toxic foods, that consistently meet customers' satisfaction); and Sensory Science (understanding the sensory basis of food acceptability).
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science (BSc)
- Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons))
- Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci)
- Master of Science (MSc)
Papers
See the full list of Food Science (FOSC) papers.
Programme Requirements
Bachelor of Science (BSc) majoring in Food Science
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | Two of BIOC 192, CHEM 111, FOSC 111, HUBS 191, PHSI 191 BSNS 103 (recommended) MART 112 (recommended) | 18 18 18 36 18 18 |
| 200-level | FOSC 213 (recommended) Note: Students should check the prerequisites for 300-level papers when selecting 200-level papers | 18 18 18 18 18 |
| 300-level | 36 points from FOSC 303, FOSC 304, FOSC 305, FOSC 306, FOSC 307, FOSC 311, MICR 331 | 18 18 36 |
| Plus | 72 further points; must include 18 points at 200-level or above Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science | 72 |
| Total | 360 |
Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons)) in Food Science
| Stage | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1st stage | Two of BIOC 192, CHEM 111, FOSC 111, HUBS 191, PHSI 191 BSNS 103 (recommended) MART 112 (recommended) | 18 18 18 36 18 18 |
| 2nd stage | FOSC 213 (recommended) 36 further points at 200-level or above | 18 18 18 18 18 36 |
| 3rd stage | 36 points from FOSC 303, FOSC 304, FOSC 305, FOSC 306, FOSC 307, FOSC 311 18 further approved points | 18 18 18 18 36 18 |
| 4th stage | At least 72 points FOSC 452, FOSC 453, FOSC 454, FOSC 455, FOSC 456, FOSC 457, FOSC 458, FOSC 460, MARI 440 | 48 24 72 |
There is no second stage Honours course in this subject; admission to the Honours programme is normally at third stage (after passing a total of 252 points, including at least 108 points above 100-level, in the first and second years of study) Note: students should check the prerequisites for 300-level papers when selecting 200-level papers |
Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci) in Food Science
| Papers |
|---|
At least 72 points FOSC 452, FOSC 453, FOSC 454, FOSC 455, FOSC 456, FOSC 457, FOSC 458, FOSC 460, MARI 440 |
Note: With the approval of the Head of Department or Programme Director concerned, a 48 point dissertation or project may be substituted for any project of fewer points prescribed in the table above. |
Master of Science (MSc) in Food Science
| Papers |
|---|
FOSC 495 and four of FOSC 451, FOSC 452, FOSC 453, FOSC 454, FOSC 455, FOSC 456, FOSC 457, FOSC 458, FOSC 460, MARI 440. FOSC 5 (thesis) With Head of Department approval, other 400-level papers may be substituted for up to 48 points of FOSC 451 - 458, FOSC 460, MARI 440. |
Minor Subject Requirements
Food Science as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Applied Science (BAppSc) or Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | 36 | |
| 200-level | 36 | |
| 300-level | One of FOSC 301, FOSC 302, FOSC 303, FOSC 305, FOSC 306, FOSC 307 | 18 |
| Total | 90 |
Further Information
Visit our home page http://www.otago.ac.nz/foodscience

