FB2SCS: Sensory and Consumer Science

Module code: FB2SCS

Module provider: Food and Nutritional Sciences; School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy

Credits: 20

Level: Level 2 (Intermediate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Stella Lignou, email: s.lignou@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Professor Lisa Methven, email: L.Methven@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

In this module you will learn about how we perceive food and how to measure such perception and consumer response. In addition to exploring and evaluating diverse sensory and consumer methods, you will develop practical skills and learn to apply statistical techniques.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Explain the physiological and psychological mechanisms that drive food perception
2. Critically evaluate a wide range of sensory and consumer methods and decide which techniques are appropriate for a given question
3. Statistically analyse data from a range of sensory and consumer methods

Module content

This module covers the ways in which we perceive food and how to measure it. This includes, the basics of perception, different types of sensory and consumer methods, types of sensory panels and how to run a panel, appropriate data analysis for different sensory and consumer methods.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Students will attend live lectures and practical classes covering core material. Independent learning skills and lateral thinking will be developed through wider independent reading including published research from TALIS reading list, Web of Science, textbooks, etc. Through practical classes they will develop hands-on experience in sensory and consumer methods. Through collaboration and discussion, they will deepen their understanding by engaging in dialogue with their peers. One seminar will be dedicated to helping the students learn how to statistically analyse their data.

Study hours

At least 55 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

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

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Exercises during practical classes

Reassessment

Additional costs