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BSEN40410

Academic Year 2026/2027

Food Chain Integrity (BSEN40410)

Subject:
Biosystems Engineering
College:
Engineering & Architecture
School:
Biosystems & Food Engineering
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Professor Colm O'Donnell
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

In this module you will study legislation, standards and codes of practice relating to maintaining the integrity of the total chain in food and bioprocessing industries. Topics covered include ethical and safe food processing, quality systems standards, HACCP, traceability, risk analysis, hygienic design of food and bioprocessing facilities, hygiene legislation, principles of cleaning and its assurance.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module:
- Students should have good conceptual knowledge on the principles underpinning food chain integrity and apply that knowledge to critically analyse issues across the food chain .
- Students should be able to apply the knowledge and understanding gained on how to produce safe food across the whole gambit of food production both nationally and globally, including in the regulatory context.
- Students will demonstrate the food safety processing and handling skills that allow them continue their professional development in this area in a largely self- directed capacity.

Indicative Module Content:

Topics covered include:
- Ethical and safe food processing.
- Quality systems standards.
- HACCP and its implementation.
- Traceability and food security cross the food chain.
- Food risk analysis.
- Hygienic design of food and bio-processing facilities.
- Hygiene legislation.
- Principles of cleaning and its assurance.

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

22

Specified Learning Activities

28

Autonomous Student Learning

52

Total

102


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures and class work

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
BSEN30120 - Food Quality &Safety Assurance


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Quizzes/Short Exercises: In-class MCQ Week 7 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
10
No
Assignment(Including Essay): Assignment reports Week 6, Week 9 Graded No
10
No
Exam (In-person): End of trimester exam End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
Graded No
80
No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Periodically

Food chain integrity: a holistic approach to food traceability, safety, quality, and authenticity
by Hoorfar, J
Woodhead Publishing in food science, technology, and nutrition, 2011

Name Role
Dr Dimitrios Argyropoulos Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Rajat Nag Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Junli Xu Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Annette Patchett Tutor

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Thurs 11:00 - 12:50