Program Overview

Introduction to the Bachelor of Science in Food Science

The Food Science major in the Bachelor of Science introduces students to the science behind the food we eat, opening the door to a wide range of careers in food science. Food innovation is driven by trends like reducing sugar, sodium, and fat; using more natural flavorings and colorings; and improving the shelf-life of foods.

What You Study

The Food Science major covers the physical, chemical, biological, and structural elements of food, and the concepts and practices underlying food processing, food sensory evaluation, and food packaging. Apart from the courses below, students also need to complete courses from their second major, chosen minor(s), or electives.

Core Courses

All Bachelor of Science students need to complete core courses that help develop transferable skills and support work in all other courses in the degree.

• In Year 1, students choose one of:
  • DIGD507 Mahitahi | Collaborative Practices
  • SCIE504 Science and Society
• And choose one natural sciences course from a list that includes:
  • ASTR500 Introductory Astronomy
  • BIOL500 Foundations of Life
  • BMED500 Introduction to Biomedical Science
  • CHEM500 Chemistry in Our World
  • CHEM501 Principles of Chemistry
  • CHEM502 Biological and Solution Chemistry
  • CONS500 Biodiversity
  • EASC500 Our Dynamic Earth
  • ENVS502 Environmental Science Skills
  • ENVS503 Our Total Environment
  • FOOD502 Food Science
  • FOOD503 Food Technology
  • GESC500 Mapping Our Environment
  • HEAL512 Te Tiriti Ora
  • HEAL514 Understanding Human Body Systems
  • MAOH501 Hauora Mori and Environment
  • MASC500 Introduction to Marine Science
  • MASC501 Marine Science Techniques
  • MELS501 Histology and Cytology
  • MICR501 Microbial Life
  • PHYS501 Physics for Scientists and Engineers
  • SOSC585 Climate Action
• And one mathematical and computer sciences course from a list that includes:
  • COMP500 Programming Concepts and Techniques
  • COMP503 Object Oriented Programming
  • MATH502 Algebra and Discrete Mathematics
  • MATH504 Introductory Mathematics for Science
  • MATH505 Algebra and Calculus I
  • STAT500 Applied Statistics
  • STAT502 Introductory Probability and Statistics
• And one course from either the natural sciences or mathematical and computer science courses above.

Year 2 Courses

• Complete the following course:
  • SCIE606 Vision Mtauranga: Science Practice in Aotearoa
• And one of:
  • CHEM604 Instrumental Analysis
  • SCIE600 Scientific Inquiry

Year 3 - Final-year Project

In Year 3, students complete a project in an area related to their major. This project gives them an important competitive edge for their career and is good preparation for postgraduate study.

• Courses completed for this project:
  • SCIE707 Science Capstone Project A
  • SCIE708 Science Capstone Project B

Food Science Courses

If majoring in Food Science, this is the main subject area students specialize in. It makes up one-third of the degree and consists of eight food science-related courses studied throughout the degree.

Year 1 Courses

• FOOD502 Food Science
• FOOD503 Food Technology

Year 2 Courses

• FOOD601 Food Chemistry
• FOOD602 Food Microbiology
• FOOD604 Food Process Engineering

Year 3 Courses

• FOOD702 Food Design and Packaging
• FOOD704 Food Systems
• FOOD705 Sensory Evaluation

Skills You Will Develop

The outcomes for graduates of the Bachelor of Science are outlined in the Graduate Profile. This includes developing knowledge about a range of sciences and their applications to food, being meticulous, particularly with regards to health, safety, and hygiene, and being a creative problem-solver.

Career Opportunities

Food science graduates find rewarding roles across many sectors and industries, including dairy, meat, horticulture, viticulture, aquaculture, brewing, and food manufacturing. Potential career paths include:

• Food technologist
• Product/process development scientist
• Food quality assurance coordinator
• Regulatory affairs officer
• Food production and scientific laboratory technician
• Packaging and sensory technologist

Related Programmes

Other majors in the Bachelor of Science include:

• Analytics
• Biological Science
• Biomedical Science
• Chemistry
• Environmental Science
• Marine Science
• Mathematical Modelling and Computation

Postgraduate study options are also available, including:

• Bachelor of Science (Honours)
• Postgraduate Certificate in Science
• Postgraduate Diploma in Science
• Master of Science
• Master of Science (Research)

Key Features

• A wide range of careers within the food sector
• Focuses on the science behind the food we eat
• Flexibility: tailor your degree with a second major, minor, or electives of your choice
• Complete an industry-related project in your final year

The information provided is a comprehensive overview of the Bachelor of Science in Food Science, highlighting its curriculum, career opportunities, and the skills graduates will develop.