Food Science

Year 1 introduces you to the major sources of food and their history, current trends in consumption, and key industrial processing operations. You’ll study food chemistry and develop your laboratory and experimentation skills. In addition, you’ll be introduced to microbiology, human physiology and nutrition; these modules allow you to gain a practical understanding of how food affects health and wellbeing, and appreciate the role of food as a carrier of nutrients.

Year 2 modules deepen your understanding of food texture, flavour and taste. You’ll be introduced to the theory behind food formulation and new product development, with an emphasis on the study of how food components affect the chemical and microbiological safety of food. Modules on food colloids and food quality assurance directly relate to the research strengths of the School. During this year, we introduce problem-solving activities that relate to actual research/industrial situations.

There is an optional placement year between the second and final year. Two options are available:

1) Industrial one-year placement (salaried)

2) International taught or research study abroad one-year placement

The two options are based on Leeds’ long-standing relationships with industry and other worldwide leading academic institutions. Gaining a place on the industrial placement and study abroad programme is competitive and dependent on the grades you achieve.

In your final year, you’ll apply your knowledge and skills to designing new foods, from concept, through formulation and processing, through to sensory evaluation, packaging and marketing. Your team project based on new product development (NPD) will explore the role of food scientists in developing and marketing new healthy food ranges for food manufacturers. You’ll also undertake an individual research project; you’ll be given a choice of topics to investigate, which will relate to the research activity in the School.

Course structure

These are typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

Modules Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Food: Origins and Form 10 credits
• Key Industrial Processing Operations for Food 20 credits
• Key Skills in Food and Nutritional Sciences 20 credits
• Principles of Human Physiology and Nutrition 20 credits
• Physicochemical Properties of Food 20 credits
• Cell and Molecular Biology 20 credits
• Studying in a Digital Age (Food Science) 5 credits

Year 2

Compulsory modules

• Molecules Controlling Sensory and Nutritional Properties 20 credits
• Innovation and Design Principles for Foods 10 credits
• Food Colloids: Formulation of Creamy, Fatty and Bubbly Foods 20 credits
• Microbiological and Chemical Food Safety 20 credits
• Food Analysis 10 credits
• Literature Review in Food Science and Nutrition 10 credits
• Introduction to Food Product Development 10 credits
• Food Quality Assurance 10 credits

Year 3

Compulsory modules

• Food Processing: from Farm to Shop 10 credits
• How Ingredients Interact in Foods 20 credits
• Research Project: Investigation and Discovery 40 credits
• Food Research: Recent Revelations and Disputes 10 credits
• Food Product Development - Team Project 30 credits

For more information on typical modules, read Food Science BSc in the course catalogue

Broadening your academic horizons

At Leeds we want you to benefit from the depth and breadth of the University's expertise, to prepare you for success in an ever-changing and challenging world. This course gives you the opportunity to broaden your learning by studying discovery modules. Find out more on the Broadening webpages.

Learning and teaching.

As a student in the School of Food Science and Nutrition, you’ll be taught by world-class experts who’ll use a variety of teaching methods to deliver an inspiring student experience. With the continuous support of our staff, you’ll acquire the knowledge and transferable skills relevant for employment in key areas of food science, so that when you graduate you are ready to take on the wide range of job opportunities and academic positions that are available.

The fundamental approach used in all our programmes is research-based learning. We use several different teaching methods including lectures, tutorials, practical work, workshops and independent study. This ensures you become a successful graduate, who is equipped with the knowledge, skills and attributes that you need to be successful in your desired career path that you choose to follow after graduation