Module Catalogue 2024/25

NUT2003 : Food Science and Technology

NUT2003 : Food Science and Technology

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Kirsten Brandt
  • Other Staff: Dr Helen Mason, Dr Matt Knight
  • Owning School: Biomedical, Nutritional and Sports Scien
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 2 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System
Pre-requisite

Modules you must have done previously to study this module

Pre Requisite Comment

Requires NUT1007, ACE1041, DTC1002, NUT1008 and SES1002 or equivalent skills & knowledge, which may be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Co-Requisite

Modules you need to take at the same time

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

This module will provide students with an introduction to selected areas of food science including food chemistry and the range of technologies used in the food industry for food manufacture from raw material preparation to packaging & storage. It will also develop practical skills in methods used for food processing and food characterisation.

Outline Of Syllabus

1. Nutritional role of food

2. Physiology of olfaction and gustation, sensory testing

3. Constituent substances of foods in relation to their role in food quality: Carbohydrates, proteins & fats; aromas, flavour and colour compounds

4. Chemical physics of food: chemical bonds, water activity (colligative properties), sols & gels, nutrient losses, denaturation, oxidation, Maillard reaction.

5. Examples of methods for processing and cooking, and corresponding changes which occur in foods; chemical interactions, hydrolysis, changes in texture, use of micro-organisms.

6. Objective of processing; preservation (food safety), retention, improvement of nutritional value. Processes; thermal processing (including pasteurisation & blanching) drying; freezing; canning; pickling, packaging.

7. Food labelling including nutrition labelling and health claims.

8. Additives: emulsifiers, curing, antioxidants, flavourings.

9. Food safety: Hygiene, Hazard Analysis by Critical Control Points (HACCP)

Learning Outcomes

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

After successful completion of this module a student will be able to:

1. Describe and explain food processing techniques

2. Describe chemical and physical processes of foods and drinks

3. Discuss the influence of food processing and cooking on chemical, physical, safety, sensory and nutritional properties of foods and drinks

Intended Skill Outcomes

After successful completion of this module students will be able to:

1. Design safe and effective experimental procedures to quantify changes in food composition affecting food quality

2. Communicate and present findings accurately in a written format

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Structured Guided LearningLecture materials121:0012:00Non-synchronous online lectures/seminars to deliver additional foundation learning material.
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture121:0012:00PIP lectures to deliver foundation learning material
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion120:0020:00Preparation for practicals and writing the structured abstract of the outcome.
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion240:3012:00Revision for examination
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion12:002:00Completion of examination
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesPractical44:0016:00PIP - Lab based practical sessions
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching81:008:00PIP tutorials in groups before, during & after practicals, preparation of group learning log.
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching91:009:00Sync online tutorials, Q&A follow up, and sessions supporting exam revision
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study241:0024:00Lecture follow-up, compilation of notes
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study142:0042:00Reading on module topics beyond the taught material
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study143:0043:00Directed reading around the subject area
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The module uses lecture materials to deliver key information relevant to the subject and to provide information upon which the students can extend their learning by private study. The practical allows the students to test and implement the information provided in the lectures in a collaborative context, and to develop and demonstrate practical food quality testing skills, as well as appropriate calculations and presentation of the results in a structured abstract.

Reading Lists

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Digital Examination1202A70Online open-book invigilated on-campus exam using Inspera. 3 essay questions.
Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Practical/lab report2M30A structured abstract (500 words plus 1 figure/table) based on practical group learning log.
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

1. The formal examination tests the students' knowledge and understanding of food science and technology. The essay questions additionally test their ability to express ideas in essay form and to select and combine different aspects of food science and technology that are required in a given context.

2. The practical group learning log and individual abstract test the students' ability to design and carry out a practical task to address a food science related issue in a collaborative context, and record relevant data, calculate relevant outcomes from experimental data and present them coherently in a structured abstract.


MDiet candidates must obtain an overall mark of 40 or above to pass the module, however, if the module has more than one assessment students must also achieve a mark of at least 35 in each component of the assessment to pass the module.

Timetable

Past Exam Papers

General Notes

N/A

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Disclaimer

The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2024 academic year.

In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.

Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Module information for the 2025/26 entry will be published here in early-April 2025. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.