Programme Overview:
- Duration:
- 2 Years
- Attendance:
- Part Time
- Mode of Delivery:
- Online
- Next Intake:
- 2024/2025 September
- Contact Name:
- Karen Holland
- Contact Number:
- +353-1-716 7749
- Fees:
- Fee Information
Are you interested in being part of the solution to one of the most significant challenges humanity will face in the upcoming decades?
Global populations are rapidly expanding, and it is clear that we need to harness the potential for sustainable food production to meet the increased demand. This urgent need for change is being recognized by food companies worldwide, leading to a renewed focus on sustainable practices and the creation of new roles to address this issue. At UCD, we have a long-standing commitment to addressing environmental sustainability concerns. We are uniquely positioned to provide the skills, knowledge, and expertise to a new generation of individuals passionate about tackling this pressing global topic. If you share the determination to make a positive impact and contribute to a more sustainable future, our institution can offer you the educational foundation and opportunities to become a part of the solution.
The MSc in 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.
The School of Agriculture and Food Science has many long-standing online MSc programmes, and as a result we are acutely aware that students require a programme that can be integrated into their busy schedules to successfully complete programmes of this nature. We have designed this MSc to be flexible, with all lectures, tutorials and other online learning tools available to you when you need them. As a fully remote, online course, we hope to make this programme as accessible as possible to people who want to study while remaining in full-time employment.
The course is 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 who are charged with improving the sustainability of food systems, or recent graduates who wish to specialise in the area of sustainability.
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:
MSc Sustainable Food Processing (D074) Part Time
EU/NONEU fee per credit - € 125.1
***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:
* Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised