Postgraduate Programme Specification
MSc Advanced Food Safety
Academic Year 2022/23
A programme specification is required for any programme on which a student may be registered. All programmes of the University are subject to the University's Quality Assurance processes. All degrees are awarded by Queen's University Belfast.
Programme Title | MSc Advanced Food Safety | Final Award (exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes) |
Master of Science | |||||||||||
Programme Code | AFL-MSC-AF | UCAS Code | HECoS Code |
101018 - Food safety - 100 |
ATAS Clearance Required |
No |
Health Check Required |
No |
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Portfolio Required |
-- |
Interview Required |
-- |
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Mode of Study | Full Time | |||||||||||||
Type of Programme | Postgraduate | Length of Programme |
Full Time - 1 Academic Year |
Total Credits for Programme | 180 | |||||||||
Exit Awards available | No |
Institute Information
Teaching Institution |
Queen's University Belfast |
School/Department |
Biological Sciences |
Quality Code Higher Education Credit Framework for England |
Level 7 |
Subject Benchmark Statements The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies |
Agriculture, horticulture, forestry, food and consumer sciences (2009) |
Accreditations (PSRB) |
|
No accreditations (PSRB) found. |
Regulation Information
Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations N/A |
Programme Specific Regulations Awards, Credits & Progression of Learning Outcomes Research project topics will be introduced in the second semester and some initial work undertaken by students before officially proceeding to the Research project after the end of Semester 2. Students will normally have obtained 120 CATS points in the taught modules before undertaking a Research project. All Research projects will be assessed by internal examiners and moderated by the external examiner. |
Students with protected characteristics The programme does not contain barriers to access or progression among protected groups. |
Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations (Please see General Regulations) No |
Educational Aims Of Programme
On completion of the programme students will be able to:
•Critically apply their knowledge and skills to evaluate current and emerging risks to food safety and relate these to potential threats to human / animal health and global food security
•Identify and critically evaluate the range of risks that may be introduced during food production and manufacture systems and determine their potential impact on food safety and consumer health
•Critically assess the appropriateness and usefulness of the analytical methods currently available to monitor for and detect risks to animal feed and food safety, and their effectiveness in food safety control
•Critically evaluate the principles behind advanced modern analytical methods and assess those techniques most feasible to be adopted for risk management procedure control under different situations and scenarios
•Apply an in-depth understanding of the range and types of food fraud affecting food safety, traceability and authenticity, and an awareness of the regulatory requirements to challenges in the maintenance of food quality/safety
•Develop, plan and undertake a substantial piece of self-directed critical scientific writing within the field of food safety and communicate conclusions made through this work to specialist and non-specialist audiences
•Position themselves to pursue a career in research, industry or other areas of professional scientific employment related to aspects of food safety and food security
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & UnderstandingOn the completion of this course successful students will be able to: |
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Apply new knowledge to critically assess and reflect on specific food-related issues and select appropriate strategies to address these issues |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Students will develop the cognitive skills of critical analysis and evaluation through teaching on a number of key modules. Methods of Assessment Cognitive skills are assessed throughout programme modules based on completion of continuous assessment assignments and the Research project. |
Demonstrate and critically apply subject specific knowledge surrounding current issues relating to food safety and traceability, it’s monitoring and enforcement |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Subject-specific knowledge is principally obtained through taught specialist modules. In-depth knowledge of a specific area is developed through the supervised dissertation. Methods of Assessment Assessed via continuous assessment including project dissertation. |
Identify a range of current and emerging methodologies used in modern food safety analysis and critically research and communicate the principles behind the use of these methods |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures, videos, seminars, supported by directed reading of textbooks and journal articles. Methods of Assessment Continuous assessment, practical method reports |
Critically assess analytical techniques used for food safety analysis in terms of their practical application, strengths, weaknesses and appropriateness for use in different situations |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures, videos, seminars, supported by directed reading of textbooks and journal articles. Methods of Assessment Continuous assessment, including case studies. |
Evaluate the potential risks (safety and economic) related to incidents of compromised food integrity and authenticity and identify best practice to avoid such events |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures, videos, seminars, supported by directed reading of textbooks and journal articles Methods of Assessment Continuous assessment, including case studies. |
Critically apply knowledge and understanding gained to design and synthesise a body of work related to a food safety topic, and carry out, collate and critically evaluate and interpret qualitative and/or quantitative data and information |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Directed and self-directed reading, learning resources, reflective practice, academic/tutor feedback/supervision. Methods of Assessment Informal progress reports, and dissertation |
Learning Outcomes: Cognitive SkillsOn the completion of this course successful students will be able to: |
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Analyse and critically evaluate data obtained from analytical and experimental investigations |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Students will develop appropriate skills through practical demonstrations within the modules and research project. Skills in judgement of evidence and synthesis are practised and demonstrated through learning activities and problem-based exercises Methods of Assessment Evaluation and analysis skills are emphasized in the problem based and case study coursework and are specifically mentioned in the marking criteria for the Research project. |
Make sound scientific judgments and assessments in the absence of complete data |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies The Research project module requires students to work independently, guided by a supervisor or tutor. Students practise bibliographic search skills through a comparison of different online databases. Methods of Assessment Completion of case studies and Research project. |
Learning Outcomes: Transferable SkillsOn the completion of this course successful students will be able to: |
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Develop their transferable skills to a NQF M-level standard. These skills can be subdivided as: |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Students develop numerical skills through discussions of the evidence underlying different pieces of scientific research (in lectures and seminars), and through applied practice through completion of a research project. Methods of Assessment Continuous assessment tasks and Research Project dissertation |
b) Continuous assessment tasks and Research Project dissertation. |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Students practise and develop communication skills throughout the course. Skills development is facilitated through feedback. Students prepare work for different audiences. Communication skills include the preparation of slides for scientific presentations. Methods of Assessment Feedback and assessment on performance in continuous assessment group tasks is given by teaching staff. |
c) Information technology skills |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Learning is generally supported through IT based resources. Students therefore develop skills in internet searching for literature and other web-based material. Email is used to communicate with the students and use of this resource is covered (along with online databases and use of library catalogues) in the Foundations for Research in the Biosciences. Students produce coursework assessments using different packages (word-processing, graphics, statistical). Methods of Assessment Assessment is carried out in formative and summative contexts. |
d) Improved own learning and performance |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Students are encouraged to reflect on their learning through feedback given formally and informally. Research projects and literature reviews are chosen following discussion and reflection on personal goals and motivation for different types of research. Personal goals and effectiveness are discussed as part of the teaching in Foundations for Research in the Methods of Assessment Continuous assessment, Literature review and Research Project dissertation. |
e) Problem solving |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Problem solving is practised in course work assignments and in the research project. Intellectual and practical flexibility, along with creativity, are necessary for much scientific research. Addressing food safety issues within the Advanced Food Methods of Assessment Continuous assessment and Research Project dissertation |
f) Working with others |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Working in different modes, on individual research and in collaborative groups is discussed with students at various points in the programme. Different elements of course work within various modules contain aspects of group-based activities. Methods of Assessment Feedback and assessment on performance in group tasks is given by teaching staff. |
Learning Outcomes: Subject SpecificOn the completion of this course successful students will be able to: |
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Make sound scientific judgements based on proper analysis of available data and information |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Through demonstration, students will obtain working knowledge of a range of analytical techniques and technologies which can be applied to the monitoring of food safety and integrity. Case studies will enable students to learn discrimination techniques Methods of Assessment Continuous assessment and Research project |
Communicate observations and conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Continuous assessment tasks based on self-directed learning, Literature review, Research project Methods of Assessment Continuous assessment and Research project. |
Demonstrate personal initiative, independence and use team-oriented skills to tackle and solve problems |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Continuous assessment tasks based on self-directed learning, Research project. Methods of Assessment Continuous assessment and Research project |
Demonstrate the ability for independent learning required for continuing professional development |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Continuous assessment tasks based on self-directed learning, Research project. Methods of Assessment Continuous assessment and Research project |
Module Information
Stages and Modules
Module Title | Module Code | Level/ stage | Credits | Availability |
Duration | Pre-requisite | Assessment |
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S1 | S2 | Core | Option | Coursework % | Practical % | Examination % | ||||||
Research Project: Advanced Food Safety | BIO8307 | 7 | 60 | YES | YES | 15 weeks | N | YES | -- | 100% | 0% | 0% |
Literature Review: Advanced Food Safety | BIO8303 | 7 | 20 | -- | YES | 15 weeks | N | YES | -- | 100% | 0% | 0% |
Biological Mass Spectrometry: Methods and Applications | BIO8206 | 7 | 20 | -- | YES | 15 weeks | N | -- | YES | 80% | 20% | 0% |
Bio-entrepreneurship and Advanced Skills | BBC8047 | 7 | 20 | -- | YES | 15 weeks | N | -- | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% |
Agri-Food Traceability and Fraud | ALU8003 | 7 | 20 | -- | YES | 15 weeks | N | YES | -- | 100% | 0% | 0% |
Food Safety, Health and Disease | ALU8001 | 7 | 20 | YES | -- | 15 weeks | N | YES | -- | 100% | 0% | 0% |
Advanced Food Bioanalysis | ALU8002 | 7 | 20 | YES | -- | 15 weeks | N | YES | -- | 100% | 0% | 0% |
Foundations for Research in the Biosciences | BBC8042 | 7 | 20 | YES | -- | 15 weeks | N | YES | -- | 100% | 0% | 0% |
Notes
No notes found.