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Food Science

BSc (NFQ Level 8)
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Study Abroad
Sustainable Development Goals

This course is available through the following application route(s)

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Food Science develops your scientific knowledge of how to produce high- quality, safe and nutritious foods for the global market. As a food scientist, you  will have a role to play in all aspects of the food chain, from production at farm level to the retailer and to the consumer.

About This Course

Here from academic staff and graduates on why this programme is for you.

https://youtu.be/z07GQKlLk_k

First year focuses on the core sciences of biology and chemistry. There is also an Introduction to Food, Diet & Health module to give a flavour of later stages of your degree.

The final year focuses on the technology and chemistry of meat, dairy and fermented foods. Food safety and marketing are important aspects of the course. You will also have an opportunity to undertake a research project.

The course involves attending lectures and completing laboratory practicals and sessions to give first-hand experience of operating food processing equipment. There are also many opportunities to work on team-based assignments.

Assessment involves end-of-term written exams and a variety of continuous assessments designed to develop skills  for success, including report writing, oral, poster and video presentations, and food formulation exercises.

The UCD Food Science programme is internationally accredited by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT). This award is granted to educational institutions that have food science programmes, which offer curricula and options that the IFT Higher Education Review Board has determined meet the IFT Undergraduate Education Standards for Degrees in Food Science.

Five months PWE in the food industry in third year is an integral part of the degree. Students are also encouraged to take a trimester abroad and participate on the Study Abroad Programme. Possibilities include:

  • Michigan State University, USA
  • Purdue University, USA
  • Kansas State University, USA
  • University of California, Davis, USA
  • University of Queensland, Australia
  • Cornell University, USA.

Graduates have excellent employment prospects with national and international companies in:

  • Production management
  • Nutrition
  • Food quality and safety
  • Sales & marketing
  • New product development and research

There are also excellent graduate study opportunities available.

UCD Agriculture and Food Science Programme Office,
Agriculture and Food Science Centre,
Belfield,
Dublin 4
Tel: +353 1 716 7194
Email:agandfoodprogrammes@ucd.ie
Web:www.ucd.ie/agfood

Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
CHEM00020 Introductory Chemistry Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
MATH10230 Mathematics for Agriculture I Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
PHYC10180 Physics for Ag. Science Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
RDEV10020 Information Skills Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
RDEV10030 Introduction to Agricultural Economics and Business Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
FDSC10010 Food Diet and Health Autumn and Spring (separate)  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
BIOL10010 Animal Biology and Evolution Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
BIOL10030 Cell and Plant Biology Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
CHEM10010 Introduction to the Chemistry of Biomolecules Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
MATH10240 Mathematics for Agriculture II Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
PHYC10190 Aspects of Physics for Ag. Sci Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Choose your electives from any available modules across UCD or, if you prefer something related to Food Science these modules are available:
CPSC10010 Introduction to Crop Science Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Choose your electives from any available modules across UCD or, if you prefer something related to Food Science these modules are available:
HORT10020 Plants and People Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
BSEN20060 Food Physics Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
FDSC20010 Food Macronutrients Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
FDSC20040 Sensory Analysis Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
FOR20100 Applied Biostatistics Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
HNUT10010 Human Nutrition I - Understanding Nutrients Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
MICR20010 Agricultural Microbiology Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
ANSC20010 Genetics and Biotechnology Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
FDSC20020 Nutritional Energy Metabolism Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
FDSC20030 Food Analysis Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
RDEV20140 Health, Welfare & Safety in Agriculture Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Choose your electives from any available modules across UCD or, if you prefer something related to Food Science these modules are available:
FDSC20110 Food Diet and Health II - Making Healthy Food Choices Autumn and Spring (separate)  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Choose your electives from any available modules across UCD or, if you prefer something related to Food Science these modules are available:
FDSC20230 Introduction to Human Eating Behaviour Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Choose your electives from any available modules across UCD or, if you prefer something related to Food Science these modules are available:
HNUT10030 Physiology for Nutrition Spring  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
FDSC30160 Professional Work Experience 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)  10
Stage 3 Core Modules
BSEN30010 Bioprocess Engineering Principles Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
ENVB30110 Food Microbiology Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
FDSC30020 Food investigation Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
FDSC30040 Food Chemistry I Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
FDSC30070 Product Development Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
AESC30010 Scientific Writing and Review Spring  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
FDSC30050 Food Chemistry II Spring  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
FDSC30230 Plant-based Foods &Ingredients Spring  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
HNUT20010 Human Nutrition II - Nutrients in Life Stages Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Choose your elective from any available modules across UCD or, if you prefer something Food Science related this module is available:
BIOL20050 Climate Change and Agriculture Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Choose your elective from any available modules across UCD or, if you prefer something Food Science related this module is available:
RDEV30160 Food Poverty and Policy Autumn  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
BSEN40410 Food Chain Integrity Autumn  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
FDSC40030 Food Process Technology I Autumn  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
FDSC40060 Fresh&Processed Meat Products Autumn  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
FDSC40080 Milk and Dairy Products Autumn  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
PHPS40610 Risk Analysis in Food Safety Autumn  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
FDSC40010 Fermented Foods Spring  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
FDSC40020 Food Ingredients Spring  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
FDSC40040 Food Process Technology II Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A)1 of:
Select one of the following:
PHPS40690 Public Health Nutrition - Food Science Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - A)1 of:
Select one of the following:
PHPS40680 Nutrition & Communication - Food Science Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 1 of:
Select a total of 10 credits:
FDSC40120 Project 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)  10
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 1 of:
Select a total of 10 credits:
FDSC40630 Food Sector Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 1 of:
Select a total of 10 credits:
FDSC40620 Design Thinking for Food Packaging Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - C) Min 0 of:
Choose your electives from any available modules across UCD or, if you prefer something Food Science related this module is available:
HNUT40240 Food Regulation Spring  5

SDG2 SDG3 SDG4 SDG 12 SDG 13 SDG 14 SDG 15 SDG 17

 

Discover how the Food Science Programme at UCD is revolutionizing the future of food through sustainability. At its core, food science is about creating delicious, nutritious and safe food meals, ensuring also that its production is ethical, environmentally friendly, and socially responsible. The BSc in Food Science will equip you with scientific, technical, and business skills to drive the future of this dynamic industry in a sustainable manner. 

Leading experts in the field will help you explore innovative approaches to sustainable food production, packaging, and consumption. From addressing the sustainability reducing food waste to implementing eco-friendly packaging solutions, you will learn how to minimize the environmental impact of food production while maximizing its nutritional value. Our vision of sustainability at the Food Science Programme aligns with UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science where the teaching and research programmes span the entire food chain, from on-farm food production to human nutrition and health, providing a diverse range of career opportunities for graduates in Ireland and internationally. 

Join us at UCD's internationally recognized Food Science Programme and become a driving force for positive change in the food industry. Together, we'll create a more sustainable future—one delicious bite at a time.

The Food Science Programme aligns with multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s):

  • No Hunger (SDG 2)
  • Good Health and Well-being (SGD3)
  • Quality Education (SDG4)
  • Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12)
  • Climate Action (SDG 13)
  • Life Bellow Water (SDG 14)
  • Life on Land (SDG 15)
  • Partnership for the Goals (SDG 17)

Non-EU Undergraduate Fee information can be found here.

UCD offers a number of competitive undergraduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD undergraduate degree programme. For information on Undergraduate Scholarships, please see the UCD International Scholarships webpage.

General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Food Science:

ROWCLASS Apply to   Application Type  
showAudience-audienceInt FSS2
Food Science
Bachelor of Science
Commencing 2024/2025 September Undergraduate Degree (Non EU)
Non EU Undergraduates
Apply
showAudience-audienceEU DN261
Food Science
Bachelor of Science
Full-Time
Commencing 2024/2025 September
Application through CAO Apply via CAO
* you can change options at the top of the page

Additional special entry route(s) to Food Science:

These options have additional eligibility requirements to cater for specific applicant cohorts. You should not apply via these routes before consulting the requirements or contacting the responsible UCD office.

ROWCLASS Apply to   Application Type  
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt FSS2
Food Science
Bachelor of Science
Commencing 2024/2025 September Access Progression Pathway
Access Progression Pathway
Application to this Non-EU Access Progression Pathway is by invitation only. If you are not currently enrolled on an Access programme at UCD, your application will be marked as invalid.
If you are not a current Access student, but you are a non-EU applicant seeking admission to an undergraduate degree, please submit an application via the "Undergraduate Degree (Non-EU)" course type.
Apply