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FDSC40970

Academic Year 2026/2027

Food Safety Genomics (FDSC40970)

Subject:
Food Science
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Agriculture & Food Science
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Daniel Hurley
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
Online
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module focusses on advanced principles relating to the microbiology of foodborne pathogens as well as the significance of microorganisms in foodborne diseases. Microbiological food safety has traditionally relied on culture-based methods for phenotypic characterisation and detection of foodborne pathogens. The adoption of whole genome sequencing in food safety has revolutionised foodborne pathogen tracing investigations and advanced our understanding of pathogen diversity and genome biology. This module explores the characteristics behind the pathogenicity of these organisms including microbial function, growth, and taxonomy from a diverse range of food production environments.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this module, students will have advanced knowledge of microbial hazards in food safety and should be able to:

• Compare traditional phenotypic culture-based techniques to modern molecular approaches used to microbiologically characterise different classes of microorganisms from complex samples in a food safety context.
• Describe the contribution of foodborne microorganisms to the emergence of disease.
• Discuss conceptual knowledge on the principles of microbial risk assessment in food safety.
• Examine the significance of microbial pathogens as foodborne agents of infectious disease, as well as detail the characteristics enabling them to survive and thrive in a diverse range of environments.
• Explain the influence of foodborne microorganisms in outbreak scenarios.
• Understand the application of genomic techniques for rapid outbreak traceback and investigation along the food chain.

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
Specified Learning Activities

24
Autonomous Student Learning

77
Lectures

24
Total

125

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The key teaching and learning approaches used in this module include:

• Asynchronous discussion forums
• Case studies
• Lectures
• Problem-based learning

All learning materials/resources (Lecture recordings, slides, and transcripts) will be available in the Brightspace learning environment.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade Component repeat (in-module) Offered
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Mid-Trimester Online Quiz Week 6 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
20
 No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Late-Trimester Online Quiz Week 12 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
20
 No
Exam (Online): End of Trimester Exam Week 14, Week 15 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
60
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

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