MSc Sustainable Food Processing

Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 90)

The MSc Sustainable Food Processing will provide students with excellent knowledge of the principles underlying the sustainable processing of foods and enable graduates to apply the technical knowledge acquired to the production of high quality, safe and nutritious foods, while maximising sustainability and minimising the environmental impact of food production and processing.

Delivered by leading international experts from the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science and the UCD Institute of Food and Health, graduates will be skilled in proposing and developing solutions to sustainability problems as they relate to post-farm-gate food processing from the point of production to the point of sale and communicating these to stakeholders professionally.

In a time where we need to find new ways of processing food at unprecedented volumes whilst minimising their environmental impact, graduates of this programme will acquire a critical awareness of principles relating to scientific integrity and ethical issues in Sustainable Food Processing using a range of approaches. 

This course is aimed at individuals working full-time in the food industry charged with improving the sustainability of food systems or recent graduates who wish to specialise in the area of sustainability. 

Careers & Employability

The course is aimed at individuals working full-time in the food industry charged with improving the sustainability of food systems or those working in the food industry seeking to upskill and differentiate themselves for a career in this area. Recent graduates of food or health related disciplines seeking new careers in this rapidly expanding sector are also encouraged to apply. 

Graduates of this MSc will be positioned for leadership roles in this critically important sector for the Irish and Global economy. 

Opportunities for employment include: Sustainability Manager, Environmental Officer, Food Processing Manager, Food Production Manager, Food Safety , New Product Development, Food Regulation Manager as well as emerging opportunities around Sustainable Food Systems. 

Curricular information is subject to change


Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes

The course is aimed at individuals working full-time in the food industry charged with improving the sustainability of food systems or those working in the food industry seeking to upskill and differentiate themselves for a career in this area. Recent graduates of food or health-related disciplines seeking new careers in this rapidly expanding sector are also encouraged to apply. 

Modules include a mixture of autonomous student learning, course work, and lectures. The course is assessed by a combination of assignments, in-trimester continuous assessment exercises, and end of trimester examinations.

Modules for students enrolling on this programme include • One Health • Food chain integrity • Nutrients for a balanced and healthy diet • Plant foods • Balancing environmental limits in food systems against dietary requirements • Advanced food safety toxicology • Life cycle assessment • Food microbiology • Precision food safety in the genomics area • Fundamentals of food chemistry • Milk and dairy products.

This programme is delivered and assessed entirely online. The minimum registration to the MSc is two years, however, students have four years in which to complete the programme thereby affording flexibility. The online format of the programme enables students enrolled to combine studying while in employment.

We will provide students with strong foundation knowledge of the principles underlying the sustainable processing of foods with the objective of applying this technical knowledge to the production of high quality, safe and nutritious foods whilst maximizing sustainability and minimizing environmental impact. We value academic excellence in the scientific discipline of sustainable processing of foods, the development of success skills in critical thinking, communication, interaction (teamwork, leadership, networking, interpersonal skills) and a commitment to the highest standards of professional integrity and ethical values. We provide learning opportunities in a variety of environments (e-classroom and practical, e-learning, self-directed projects), assessing our students using diverse range of methodologies (essays, multiple choice tests, oral tests, assignments, presentations, practical books, laboratory research).

Graduates of the MSc Sustainable Food Processing will: 

  • Be skilled in proposing and developing solutions to sustainability problems as they relate to post-farm-gate food processing and communicate these to stakeholders, at a professional and appropriate level, utilizing information technology and a range of approaches
  • Demonstrate a critical awareness of principles relating to scientific integrity and ethical issues in Sustainable Food Processing
  • Demonstrate competence to acquire, organise, analyse, integrate and critically review information from a wide range of sources relating to issues in Sustainable Food Processing and construct and defend reasoned conclusions
  • Demonstrate effective time management and organization skills
  • Have a working knowledge of the structures and theoretical tools that enable efficient teamwork, in order to generate innovative ideas and know-how to approach their subsequent selection for further development
  • Integrate and apply knowledge of key principles underlying Sustainable Food Processing
  • Think independently, show initiative, evaluate and select appropriate and reasoned approaches to solve problems
  • Use the principles of scientific inquiry, to research a particular Sustainable Food Processing issue that merits a detailed research investigation

MSc Sustainable Food Processing (D074) Part Time
EU/NONEU    fee per credit - € 119.1

***Fees are subject to change

• Applicants must hold a minimum of a Second-Class Honors degree in a cognate subject (Science, Engineering or related discipline), or international equivalent.

• Applicants with other awards who hold substantial relevant work experience will be considered.

• Applicants who do not hold the requisite Science qualification (but who hold a Level 8 Honors degree or equivalent) have been admitted previously and are advised to submit an application for assessment by the Programme Director to determine eligibility.

• Applicants whose first language is not English must also 

demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.

The following entry routes are available:

MSc Sustainable Food Processing PT (D074)
Duration
2 Years
Attend
Part Time
Deadline
Rolling*

* Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised