FB2FQS-Food Quality and Sensory Science

Module Provider: Food and Nutritional Sciences
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Stella Lignou
Email: s.lignou@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Learn about food quality and how it can be assessed and controlled. . On this module, you will learn about the concept of quality and its components with a particular focus on the sensory science elements, and what are the legislative and business requirements for food quality management. You will be exposed to a variety of objective (analytical) sensory tests and you will develop your practical skills within analytical sensory testing. National and international quality management standards and systems (including an introduction to HACCP) and the role of legislation in providing consumer protection will be covered under the food quality management component.

Aims:

• To develop students' awareness of the role of food quality attributes and their control.


• To provide an understanding of the application of sensory science to the assessment of eating quality in foods.


• To enable students to organise and run sensory evaluation trials.


• To provide an understanding of the control systems adopted by food businesses and by national and international food control organisation to maintain quality and protect consumers.

Assessable learning outcomes:

On completion of the module, students should be able to:

• Explain the main attributes that determine food quality.


• Critically evaluate a wide range of sensory methods and decide which techniques to use to answer a range of food quality, product development and cost release questions.


• Design and conduct a range of sensory analysis procedures.


• Statistically analyse data from a range of sensory methods.


• Explain the main management systems used by food manufacturers to maintain food quality.


• Explain the key elements of the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) system in food safety control.


• Describe the major elements of legislation and standards relevant to national and international food control.


• Outline the main national and international food control organisations involved in providing consumer protection.

Additional outcomes:
Students will have the opportunity to take the IFST (Institute of Food Science and Technology) Certificate for Sensory Training at foundation level. They will have enhanced skills in the application of statistical methods to the analysis of complex data sets. They will enhance their ability to identify and access relevant documents linked to food quality standards and legislation.

Outline content:

Topics covered include:

• What is ‘food quality’: An initial overview will be provided indicating how quality is perceived by consumers, industry and authorities.


• In Sensory Science: Analytical sensory methodologies, types of sensory panel, assessor screening, training and monitoring; analysis of sensory data. The practical aspect of the course covers sensory discrimination testing.


• In Food Quality Management: National food control systems focussing on both the UK/EU and other international components such as the Codex Alimentarius Commission. Food businesses quality management systems with an introduction to quality control, quality assurance, quality management standards (e.g. the BRC Global Standard for Food) and HACCP.

Global context:
Food is now a major element in global trade. Internationally, food quality has a major role in food safety, food choice and the commercial success of manufactured food products. The knowledge and skills gained in this module have global application and equip students with a sound bases for future roles linked to food quality anywhere in the world.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
The module is taught using a combination of formal lectures to provide the theoretical background to the subject, practical classes and data seminars. Within lectures students have the opportunity to consolidate their knowledge through data interpretation exercises, and discussion of appropriate testing procedures and case studies. The sensory lectures closely integrate with practical classes where the application of sensory methods to the evaluation of food products is undertaken. Data seminars are used to evaluate and interpret the results from the practical classes.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	24
Seminars	4
Practicals classes and workshops	4
Guided independent study:	68
Total hours by term	100
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	40
Written assignment including essay	20
Set exercise	10
Class test administered by School	30

Summative assessment- Examinations:

1-hour examination contributing to 40% of the module mark (material covered in the examination excludes the sensory science topics).

The examination for this module will require a narrowly defined time window and is likely to be held in a dedicated exam venue.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Following the sensory practical classes students complete an assignment to both concisely report their methods and discuss results from their sensory discrimination test of two food products.

There is a 1 hour test at end of term that also enables student to gain IFST Foundation certificate in sensory science (the class test administered by school).

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

Overall mark of 40%

Reassessment arrangements:

Reassessment arrangements are in accordance with University policy. Reassessment of the written examination is held during the University administered re-examination period in August. Failed coursework may be re-assessed by an alternative assignment before or during the August re-examination period.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

The IFST test costs £15 per person (payable to the IFST). If a student does not want to take this externally accredited test they can be set a similar alternative class test with no additional cost (this must be discussed with the module convenor).

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 30 March 2023