Here from academic staff and graduates on why this programme is for you.
This course is available through the following application route(s)
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
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.
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 |
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.
How to Apply
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 |
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 |