FOSC111 Food in a Changing World

Overview

An introduction to scientific and social aspects of food including global trends in food production for health and well-being, food choice, sensory properties, and issues around food safety and sustainability.

People are becoming more aware of the importance of eating a healthy diet, keeping foods safe and protecting the planet. This awareness impacts on how food companies approach safe and sustainable food production and how consumers respond to these foods. The Food Principles paper (FOSC 111) provides students with an understanding of the science of foods and of consumer behaviour in relation to food. The paper also gives them experience in developing new foods for the market. Students are exposed to current global trends including the production of animal and plant-based foods, management of allergens and development of nutritious and safe foods. This paper is required for students taking Food Science or Consumer Food Science as a degree, and will be of interest to anyone who cares about food and how it impacts on health, nutrition and the environment.

About this paper

Schedule C

Science

Contact

Dr Biniam Kebede

Teaching staff

Co-ordinator: Dr Biniam Kebede
Lecturers: Professor Aladin Bekhit
Professor Phil Bremer
Dr Graham Eyres
Fiona Nyhof
Professor Craig Bunt
Professor Indrawati Oey
Professor Miranda Mirosa
Dr Dominic Agyei
Dr Biniam Kebede
Dr Mei Peng
Erin Young

Paper Structure

The paper covers four key themes:

1. Food and Consumer: past, present and future
2. Understanding food composition: why is it important?
3. Plant and animal foods
4. Ensuring food safety and quality

Teaching Arrangements

• Lectures (3 lectures/week)
• Fortnightly laboratory classes
• The final course mark is based on an internal assessment of 40% and final exam of 60%

Internal assessment components are:

• Assignments: 25%
• Mid-semester Exam: 15%

Textbooks

Recommended texts:

Brown A. 2017. Understanding Food: Principles and Preparation, 6th edition, Cengace Learning.

McWilliams M. 2008. Foods: Experimental Perspectives, 6th edition, Pearson Prentice Hall Inc, New Jersey (or the new 7th edition).

Both texts will be available on close reserve in the Science Library.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Environmental literacy, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this paper will

• Develop an understanding of how food is produced for health and well-being
• Develop an understanding of the functional role of ingredients and how ingredient interactions and processing methods influence product characteristics
• Understand the role of food safety, processing, preservation, quality and sustainability in food production
• Develop an understanding of the key factors that influence food choice

Timetable

Overview

An introduction to scientific and social aspects of food including global trends in food production for health and well-being, food choice, sensory properties, and issues around food safety and sustainability.

People are becoming more aware of the importance of eating a healthy diet, keeping foods safe and protecting the planet. This awareness impacts on how food companies approach safe and sustainable food production and how consumers respond to these foods. Food in a Changing World (FOSC 111) provides students with an understanding of the science of foods and of consumer behaviour in relation to food. The paper also gives them experience in developing new foods for the market. Students are exposed to current global trends including the production of animal and plant-based foods, management of allergens and development of nutritious and safe foods. This paper is required for students taking Food Science or Consumer Food Science as a degree, and will be of interest to anyone who cares about food and how it impacts on health, nutrition and the environment.

About this paper

Schedule C

Science

Contact

Dr Biniam Kebede

Teaching staff

Co-ordinator: Dr Biniam Kebede
Lecturers: Professor Aladin Bekhit
Professor Phil Bremer
Dr Graham Eyres
Fiona Nyhof
Professor Craig Bunt
Professor Indrawati Oey
Professor Miranda Mirosa
Dr Dominic Agyei
Dr Biniam Kebede
Dr Mei Peng
Erin Young

Paper Structure

The paper covers four key themes:

1. Food and Consumer: past, present and future
2. Understanding food composition: why is it important?
3. Plant and animal foods
4. Ensuring food safety and quality

Teaching Arrangements

• Lectures (3 lectures/week)
• Fortnightly laboratory classes
• The final course mark is based on an internal assessment of 40% and final exam of 60%

Internal assessment components are:

• Assignments: 25%
• Mid-semester Exam: 15%

Textbooks

Recommended texts:

Brown A. 2017. Understanding Food: Principles and Preparation, 6th edition, Cengace Learning.

McWilliams M. 2008. Foods: Experimental Perspectives, 6th edition, Pearson Prentice Hall Inc, New Jersey (or the new 7th edition).

Both texts will be available on close reserve in the Science Library.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Environmental literacy, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this paper will:

• Develop an understanding of how food is produced for health and well-being
• Develop an understanding of the functional role of ingredients and how ingredient interactions and processing methods influence product characteristics
• Understand the role of food safety, processing, preservation, quality and sustainability in food production
• Develop an understanding of the key factors that influence food choice

Timetable