Program Overview

University Microcredential in Food Conservation and Cooking Techniques, Vacuum and Fifth Range

Presentation

The course is based on the study of food conservation and cooking techniques, including the techniques used at an industrial level and that will help the student to acquire the theoretical-scientific foundations on which the different techniques are based, which will allow them to improve the skills in the exercise of their profession, improving both the quality and safety of processed foods.

Objectives

The objectives of the course are to master all the concepts derived from food preservation and preparation techniques used both at an industrial and culinary level, from the traditional to the avant-garde, with special emphasis on the use of the vacuum theory in its two aspects of preservation and cooking of food.

• CO1: Food preservation.
• CO2: Food dehydration processes.
• CO3: Food and beverage manufacturing processes.
• H1: Control freezing processes.
• H2: Carry out food pasteurization processes.
• H3: Research new cooking methods.

Programme

The course is divided into four units:

UNIT 1. INDUSTRIAL CONSERVATION TECHNIQUES

• 1.1 Introduction to food microbiology
• 1.2 Cold storage of food: freezing and refrigeration
• 1.3 Preservation of food by heat: sterilization, pasteurization, blanching
• 1.4 Preservation of food by drying and dehydration: water activity, hot air drying, drying by contact with a hot surface, drying equipment, lyophilization, freezing concentration, evaporation
• 1.5 Preservation in modified and controlled vacuum protective atmospheres: types of protective atmospheres, vacuum packed, packaged in modified atmospheres, storage in controlled atmospheres
• 1.6 Food preservation by irradiation: types of radiation, interaction of ionizing radiation with matter, dose concept, applications in the food industry

UNIT 2. PRESERVATION AND PROCESSING TECHNIQUES IN THE KITCHEN

• 2.1 Conservation by low temperatures: refrigeration, freezing and thawing in the kitchen
• 2.2 Preservation by high temperatures: pasteurization and homemade preserves
• 2.3 Traditional preservation and cooking techniques: desiccation, marinades, smoked, spiced, fermentations and sprouts, food cooking: baking, cooking and frying
• 2.4 Modern preservation and cooking techniques: food additives, lyophilization, cooked under pressure and vacuum

UNIT 3. THE TECHNIQUE OF VACUUM IN THE COOKING OF FOOD

• 3.1 Sous vide process: concept and utility, direct vacuum, indirect vacuum
• 3.2 Conservation and vacuum processes
• 3.3 Fifth range and food industrialization processes
• 3.4 Empty menu design

UNIT 4. SANITARY HYGIENIC REGULATIONS

• 4.1 Regulation (CE) No. 852/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of April 29, 2004 on the hygiene of food products: basic concepts
• 4.2 Law 17/2011, on food security and nutrition: basic concepts
• 4.3 Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011 on the information provided to the consumer: basic concepts

Recipients

This course is intended for professionals in the world of gastronomy and business owners who want to acquire knowledge in the different techniques of food preservation and preparation, including vacuum techniques. It is also aimed at postgraduate students in food technology, nutrition, chemistry or biology.

• Access requirements: no university degree is necessary
• Selection criteria:
  • 40% Graduates in management or business management or graduates in gastronomy, hospitality (intermediate/superior grade)
  • 40% Professional experience or practices related to the field of food
  • 20% Having carried out hygienic-sanitary studies for the HORECA channel
• No. of Places: 25 (minimum 15)

Academic Management and Faculty

• Academic direction: Sonia Morante Zarcero, University Professor, Graduated in Chemistry and PhD in Sciences from the Rey Juan Carlos University
• Faculty:
  • Dr. Laura Briones Gil, Professor of Dairy Product Characterization Techniques in the Food Science and Technology degree
  • Dr. Natalia Casado Navas, Contracted PhD Professor, Doctor of Science
  • Dr. María Isabel Sierra Alonso, University Professor, Doctor in Chemical Sciences
  • Dr. Sonia Morante Zarcero, University Professor, Doctor of Science
  • Dr. Cristina Pablos Carro, Full Professor at the University in the field of Environmental Sciences
  • Dr. Jesús Tapiador Cebrián, Assistant Professor, PhD
  • Blanca Mayandia Briones, Associate Professor, Cook and gourmet
  • Angela Ruiz, Master in Food Quality and Technology, Graduate in Chemistry
  • Alex Albinyana Brisa, Graduated in Gastronomy, Specialist in meats and applications, R&D&i

Duration and Development

• Modality: Interactive
• Number of credits: 6
• Contact hours: 0
• Place of delivery: URJC virtual classroom
• Opening hours: Monday and Tuesday, from 9 a.m. to 13 p.m.
• Start and end date: April 7, 2026 May 26, 2026

Reservation of Place and Enrollment

• Pre-registration period: until March 10, 2026
• Enrollment deadline: From March 11 to 17, 2026
• Title price: 492,00
• Possibility of scholarship: yes
• Pre-registration: 0 The start of the course is subject to the minimum number of students enrolled (15)

Documentation to Attach, Forms and Place of Delivery

The applicant will present all the scanned documentation, in the formats allowed.

• Students with a degree obtained from a Spanish university or a Higher Education Institution belonging to another Member State of the European Higher Education Area that provides access to continuing education courses must submit the following documentation:
  • National Identity Document or equivalent
  • University degree of the studies that give access to the requested postgraduate degree
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Responsible declaration of veracity of the data provided in digital format
  • Any other document required by the Academic Department of Continuing Education for acceptance
• Students with foreign qualifications must submit the following documentation:
  • Passport or Residence Card
  • Foreign Higher Education Degree (Graduate, Bachelor's Degree, Architect, Engineer, Doctor...) that gives access to continuing education studies
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Responsible declaration of veracity of the data provided in digital format
  • Any other document required by the Academic Department of Continuing Education for acceptance

Microcredentials, intended for students with or without a previous official university degree, allow for the certification of learning results linked to short-term training activities. Successful completion of these courses through the corresponding assessment tests will entitle the student, where appropriate, to obtain a Certificate with the name of the respective course.