| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2024-05-01 | - |
Program Overview
This Practical Food Inspection course equips participants with the knowledge and skills to conduct effective food inspections. It covers foodstuff identification, hazard identification and control, fitness for consumption judgment, and intervention strategies. The program is ideal for environmental health practitioners and students seeking a career in food inspection and safety.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
About This Course:
This course is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct practical food inspections effectively. It delves into various areas of food inspection, including:
- Foodstuff identification: Participants learn to identify a wide range of food types, including red meat, poultry, game, fish, shellfish, nuts, pulses, fruits, and vegetables.
- Hazard identification and control: The course examines common food hazards associated with different food types and explores various control mechanisms to mitigate those risks.
- Intervention strategies: The program equips participants with knowledge of various intervention tools, including legislative frameworks, that can be used to safeguard public health and consumer protection.
Objectives:
- To empower participants to demonstrate a range of food inspection competencies.
- To equip learners with the capacity to explain food hazards and their control measures.
- To provide participants with knowledge of intervention strategies to ensure consumer protection and maintain public health.
Who Should Attend:
This course is ideal for environmental health practitioners working within the food industry or food enforcement sectors. Additionally, it caters to students seeking a career in this field. The program aims to further the professional development of participants in these areas.
Outcomes:
- Successful completion of the course provides evidence that participants are qualified to inspect, seize, and detain food items.
- Participants earn the CIEH-accredited Practical Food Examination upon successful completion of the program.
Other:
- The course is offered as a part-time option and involves blended learning, including online modules and face-to-face sessions at the Belfast campus.
- The next course will commence on May 1, 2024.
Outline:
Content:
The program covers a comprehensive range of topics related to food inspection, focusing on practical knowledge and hands-on experience.
Structure:
The course adopts a blended learning approach, combining online modules with practical sessions at the Belfast campus.
Course Schedule:
- Start Date: May 1, 2024
- Online Teaching: Begins on May 1, 2024
Assessment:
Assessment Methods:
- The course relies on a 20-minute oral examination to assess student achievement of learning outcomes.
- The exam evaluates students' ability to apply practical knowledge to food specimens.
Assessment and Feedback Strategy:
- Continuous feedback is provided on knowledge acquisition during the practical sessions.
- Students receive feedback on their exam scores upon completion.
Teaching:
Teaching, Learning, and Assessment:
- The program employs a blended learning approach comprising online resources, pre-recorded lectures, face-to-face sessions, and practical activities.
- The online components utilize platforms like Blackboard Learn and Panopto to deliver the core learning materials.
Careers:
Career Prospects:
The program equips participants with the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue successful careers in various areas related to food inspection and safety. Potential career paths include:
- Environmental Health Officer
- Food Safety Inspector
- Food Technologist
- Quality Assurance Manager
- Holders of or those registered for Environmental Health degrees (BSc or MSc) are eligible for enrolment in this course.
- International applicants must acquire a short-term study visa to attend the program.
Key Takeaways:
This short course on Practical Food Inspection provides participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively conduct food inspections, ensuring food safety and public health protection. The program equips participants with the ability to identify food types, assess their fitness for consumption, understand associated hazards, and implement appropriate control measures. It further empowers graduates to pursue successful careers in various areas within the food inspection and safety domain.
Payment of Fees and Deposits Fees and Funding
Additional mandatory costs
It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees. Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses. Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.
