Programme Title

PgCert Global Food Security (DL)

Final Award
(exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes)

Postgraduate Certificate

Programme Code

BIO-PC-FS

UCAS Code

HECoS Code

101018

ATAS Clearance Required

No

Health Check Required

No

Portfolio Required

Interview Required

Mode of Study

Part Time

Type of Programme

Postgraduate

Length of Programme

3 Academic Year(s)

Total Credits for Programme

180

Exit Awards available

Awarding Institution/Body

Queen's University Belfast

Teaching Institution

Queen's University Belfast

School/Department

Biological Sciences

Framework for Higher Education Qualification Level 
www.qaa.ac.uk

Level 7

QAA Benchmark Group
www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements

Agriculture, horticulture, forestry, food and consumer sciences (2009)

Accreditations (PSRB)

Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations
(Please see General Regulations)

n/a

Programme Specific Regulations

Awards, Credits & Progression of Learning Outcomes
• Candidates who fail a module will normally be permitted only one re-sit attempt in that module.
• Candidates who fail a re-sit assessment may be required to withdraw from the course.
• Students who have successfully completed the taught modules and fail the Disseration may be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma.
• Dissertation topics will be introduced in the second year and some initial work must be undertaken by students, including submitting a disseration proposal for apporval by the internal and external examiners prior to registering for the Dissertation module.
• Students must have passed modules to total of 120 CATS points in the taught modules before registering for the dissertation module.
• All decisions on progress and awards will be made by the Board of Examiners.

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

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

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 dissertation.

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 dissertation.

Make sound scientific judgments and assessments in the absence of complete data

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The dissertation 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 Dissertation

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

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 MCQ’s, and 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

On-line 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

On-line 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

On-line lectures, videos, seminars, supported by directed reading of textbooks and journal articles.

Methods of Assessment

Continuous assessment, including case studies.

Apply new knowledge on international food standards and food trade to identity trends and changes in global food safety legislation setting

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

On-line 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, on-line learning resources, on-line reflective practice, academic/tutor feedback/supervision.

Methods of Assessment

Interim progress reports, presentation, interview, dissertation.

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

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 dissertation.

Communicate observations and conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Continuous assessment tasks based on self-directed learning, dissertation

Methods of Assessment

Continuous assessment and dissertation.

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, dissertation.

Methods of Assessment

Continuous assessment and dissertation.

Demonstrate the ability for independent learning required for continuing professional development

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Continuous assessment tasks based on self-directed learning, dissertation.

Methods of Assessment

Continuous assessment and dissertation.

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Develop their transferable skills to a NQF M-level standard. These skills can be subdivided as:

a) Application of numerical skills

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Students develop numerical skills through discussions of the evidence underlying different pieces of scientific research (in written coursework and on line fora) and through applied practice through completion of a dissertation.

Methods of Assessment

Continuous assessment and dissertation.

Develop their transferable skills to a NQF M-level standard. These skills can be subdivided as:

b) Communication skills

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 and video presentations.

Methods of Assessment

Feedback and assessment on performance in continuous assessment tasks. Skype feedback sessions.

Develop their transferable skills to a NQF M-level standard. These skills can be subdivided as:

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 course introduction. Students produce coursework assessments using different packages (word-processing, graphics).

Methods of Assessment

Assessment is carried out in formative and summative contexts.

Develop their transferable skills to a NQF M-level standard. These skills can be subdivided as:

d) Improved own learning and performance

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Students are encouraged to reflect on their learning through online testing [MCQ’s] feedback given formally and informally. Dissertations are chosen following discussion and reflection on personal goals and motivation for different types of research. Students are expected to assess their own performance using evidence from course work and interactions with peers and teaching staff.

Methods of Assessment

Continuous assessment and dissertation. Skype feedback sessions.

Develop their transferable skills to a NQF M-level standard. These skills can be subdivided as:

e) Problem solving

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Problem solving is practised in course work assignments and in the Dissertation. Intellectual and practical flexibility, along with creativity, are necessary for much scientific research. Addressing food safety issues within the Advanced Analytical tools module will involve a problem-based approach (e.g. how can useful data be collected, how can resource use issues be reconciled, what analytical methods should be utilised in various situations?). Students are directed to generic sources of assistance and guidance within the University.

Methods of Assessment

Assessments in subject specific modules including case studies, elements of problem solving and report writing.

Develop their transferable skills to a NQF M-level standard. These skills can be subdivided as:

f) Working with others

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

On line forums discussion with peers, tutors and academic staff. Peer review of assignments.

Methods of Assessment

Feedback from peers, tutors and academic staff.