Food Science is a multi-disciplinary field that uses knowledge of chemistry, biology, nutrition, microbiology and engineering. Food scientists are interested in the design and development of healthy, safe, nutritious and sustainable foods. One of the benefits of being a food scientist is that your qualification opens up a wide variety of exciting career opportunities, both within the food sector and outside. As a Food scientist you could find yourself testing the microbiological safety of a food, measuring protein content or formulating a food product to reduce salt, sugar and fat. Food scientists also develop new products, work in regulation, nutritional analysis and food engineering.
The Food Science programme here in TU Dublin will develop your scientific knowledge while also developing strong practical skills sought by employers. Practical work in our dedicated labs for food analysis, new product development, food chemistry, food microbiology and sensory science allows students to develop excellent laboratory skills. Field trips in each of the four years of the programme helps you to put theory into practice.
Year one of the programme focuses on developing a strong foundation in the core sciences and maths. You will also study introductory modules in Nutrition and Microbiology as well as a new module in food sustainability. Year two introduces several food science modules such as Food Chemistry, Food Ingredients, Food Process Technology and Sensory Evaluation. Year 3 deepens your knowledge of food safety while one of the highlights of the semester is the opportunity to develop a brand new food product from idea to product launch in the Product Development module. Semester two of third year is spent on placement where students get an opportunity to obtain industry experience. You will work with your dedicated work placement coordinator to secure your placement, the programme has an extensive portfolio of placements to assist students. Final year of the programme has a lot of student choice. Students select from one of two streams (i) Food (ii) Brewing & Distilling while also selecting their final year project and their elective. As part of the Final Year Project students work under the guidance of an academic member of staff conducting 12 weeks of independent research in our specialised facilities.
You will be taught by a diverse cohort of lectures with a wide range of expertise, amongst the staff we have leaders of national and EU funded projects, staff with 20 years industry experience and lecturers in the top 1% of Highly cited researchers globally.
