Why study food science and human nutrition at UoN?

The Bachelor of Food Science and Human Nutrition gives you the opportunity to learn about what is happening at the leading edge of scientific endeavour in the field of food science and human nutrition, and become familiar with the latest areas such as molecular nutrition, nutritional genetics and functional foods. The degree develops your specialist knowledge and skills that are highly valued and required in industry and the broader community.

Rapidly developing technology

The areas of food science and human nutrition are developing rapidly as technology becomes even more sophisticated and the demands of an increasingly health-conscious society drive change in the food and health product industries.

Responding to developments

In response to these developments, research in food science and human nutrition encompasses both novel and traditional areas of food, nutrition and biologically active natural products.

Our research is conducted by internationally recognised experts looking into the following key areas:

• molecular nutrition/nutritional genetics
• functional foods/food chemistry
• food processing
• post-harvest technology
• herbal therapies/xenobiotics

Graduates of this degree can progress to research through a number of available schemes ranging from pre-research undergraduate summer programs, to an Honours year and finally the pinnacle of their research training, the completion of a Research Higher Degree.

Student researchers are supervised and mentored by our team of research-active academic staff and members of the Nutrition, Food and Health Research Group.

What you will study

This degree program provides a strong background in the principles underlying the sciences of food technology and human nutrition, including the basic sciences, the chemistry and biology of nutrients, and the attributes of foods, including food commodities. Find out more

Real experience while you study

Students train in a test kitchen sponsored by Sara Lee Australia. As in industry, this kitchen is part of the product development process where you can initiate and test product concepts. Find out more

Career opportunities

The food industry is the largest in the world and requires highly trained professionals in order to ensure supply, quality and safety of food for everybody on the planet. Find out more

Meet our achievers

Why would you do this degree? Find out from graduates, students and academics. Discover how their future is taking shape, and learn first-hand what it's like to study at uni. Find out more

What you will study

This degree provides a strong background in the principles underlying the sciences of food technology and human nutrition, including the basic sciences, the chemistry and biology of nutrients, and the attributes of foods, including food commodities and functional foods.  The structure of the degree means you will study a series of core courses, which is combined with directed and elective courses based on your career interests. Core courses you will study include:

• Chemistry
• Food and nutrition
• Biomedical science
• Macronutrients
• Micronutrients
• Plant and animal food products
• Food product development
• Nutrition in health and disease
• Food analysis
• Functional foods and health claims

The degree is completed over three years of full-time study (or equivalent part-time) at the Central Coast campus at Ourimbah.

Real experience while you study

Students train in a test kitchen sponsored by Sara Lee Australia. As in industry, this kitchen is part of the product development process where you can initiate and test product concepts.

Depending on your academic performance, you can participate in work placement and field trips as components of your courses. These will enable you to apply real-life experiences to your studies and give you a competitive edge when you enter the workforce.

Learn from leading academics

Most academic staff involved in the food science and human nutrition degree are active researchers, and many are leaders in their particular fields. The academic staff are encouraged to use results of their research to inform their teaching, allowing students to learn alongside some of the world's leading researchers.

Career opportunities

The food industry is the largest in the world and requires highly trained professionals in order to ensure supply, quality and safety of food for everybody on the planet.

As a graduate you will have the opportunity to explore pressing concerns in food science and human nutrition in Australia. Currently we face four million cases of food poisoning every year, while 5 to 8% of children are living with life-threatening food allergies, and 67% of men and 52% of women are at risk of developing cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease.

A range of career opportunities are available for graduates, including:

• food scientists and nutritionists in the food industry and in community health
• professional positions in consumer relations and technical sales
• product development in the food and pharmaceutical industries
• quality control and safety of food
• nutrition consultancy
• opportunity for postgraduate study

Professional recognition

Upon completion of your degree you will be eligible to apply for membership of the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology and the Nutrition Society of Australia. You will also be eligible for associate membership of the Dietetics Association of Australia.

The food science and human nutrition degree attracts students from all around the world, giving international recognition to the degree. The academics and the research activities undertaken have both a national and international profile.

Increase your options

If you consider yourself to be a high-achieving student, you may opt to do an additional Honours year after undertaking the Bachelor of Food Science and Human Nutrition, giving you experience in research methods and enhancing your career prospects.

Many of our students have gone on to complete a research higher degree after undertaking an Honours year, further increasing their competitive advantage in these industries when looking for employment.

Meet our achievers

Adriana

Lidija

Present: Research assistant

Bachelor of Food Science and Human Nutrition

I am currently working as a research assistant in food science while completing my PhD. My degree was extremely valuable in sparking my passion for research and shaping my career path.

Lidija's favourite part of her degree program was meeting other students, postdocs and researchers, both at University and conferences. In the research laboratory she had the opportunity to work with students from different countries, such as Sri Lanka, Iran, China, Vietnam, Norway and India. Lidija was also lucky enough to participate in international conferences in places like France and meet pioneer scientists in the food science field.

Lidija's advice for students studying the food science and human nutrition degree is to:

Meet the academic staff on a regular basis, prepare your questions and worries in advance and do not hesitate to ask things. Utilise all of the resources available at the University; you'll find everyone is so helpful!