MSc Food Science and Biotechnology

Course overview:

Food and drink manufacturing is vital to the UK economy. It is the single largest manufacturing sector in the UK, employing 15% of the entire manufacturing workforce

Food and drink manufacturing companies make up 7% of all manufacturing businesses, and they buy two thirds of all the UK's agricultural produce. Food producers must address environmental concerns, social responsibility and economic viability when designing sustainable food processing techniques. Sustainable food processing is all about finding new ways of meeting present needs without compromising future viability in constantly changing economic and environmental conditions. This is not just a corporate social responsibility issue but directly relates to efficiency, cost-saving and profitability and so the food industry must increasingly embrace sustainable food processing to succeed. The global food and agricultural biotechnology research base and product development pipeline, including genetically modified seeds, is expanding at a rapid rate as a direct response to the global food security challenge. This innovative and topical programme is ideal for graduates new to this dynamic and exciting sector. It's also particularly suitable if you're seeking career enhancement by studying food science and biotechnology at master's level. The programme will be of particular interest to graduates with an interest in developing knowledge and skills in subjects such as food biotechnology, food safety management and analytical techniques currently used in the food industry. It is also suitable if you already work in the industry and wish to develop your skills in these areas.

Teesside University is highly praised for the links it maintains with local and national industries and businesses such as Marlow Foods (Quorn), SK Chilled Foods and Sainsbury’s. The University is committed to integrate with industry in the Tees Valley and has a record of producing employment-ready problem solvers and innovators. This postgraduate programme embeds key transferable skills through visits to industry and talks by industry speakers. You may also be interested in our MSc Food Processing Engineering.

How you are assessed

You are assessed on subject knowledge, independent thought and skills acquisition through formative and summative assessment.

Assessment may include:
• examinations
• oral presentations
• technical interviews
• technical reports
• laboratory reports
• literature surveys, evaluations and summaries
• dissertation or thesis (MSc only).

You are presented with an assessment schedule providing details of the submission deadlines for summative assessments.

Career opportunities:

Food and drink manufacturing is vital to the UK economy. It is the single largest manufacturing sector in the UK, employing 15% of the entire manufacturing workforce. Food and drink manufacturing companies make up 7% of all manufacturing businesses, and they buy two thirds of all the UK’s agricultural produce. The industry generates 18% of total manufacturing turnover.

To meet the demands of this dynamic sector, the food industry needs to recruit more than 49,000 new skilled professionals and managers by 2022 which is great news for the next generation of talent wanting to study toward a rewarding career in a dynamic and highly innovative sector (The National Skills Academy for Food & Drink).

Graduates can seek jobs in many areas in the food sector including:
• food analysis
• new product development
• quality management and food safety management
• food production management
• technical management.