FST3820 - Food preservation - 2019

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Undergraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Science

Organisational Unit

Malaysia School of Science

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Choo Wee Sim

Coordinator(s)

Dr Choo Wee Sim

Unit guides

Offered

Malaysia

  • First semester 2019 (On-campus)

Prerequisites

BTH2811 or FST2810; and BTH2830 or MIC2011

Synopsis

Food preservation deals with the methods of prevention or retardation of microbial, chemical and physical degradation of foods, while maintaining their nutritional quality, flavour and consumer appeal. Students will gain a theoretical and practical understanding of the scientific basis of the various traditional, modern and novel methods of food preservation for distribution and storage. Practical, cost-effective and safe preservation techniques to extend the shelf-life of foods will be discussed.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate theoretical and practical knowledge of the various ways that foods may be preserved including thermal and non-thermal processing;
  2. Explain the scientific basis of the various preservation techniques and to be able to apply the appropriate preservation techniques for different foods;
  3. Select the appropriate packaging for different foods with consideration of the use of resources, packaging stability and food safety;
  4. Determine shelf life for foods subjected to different preservation techniques, and be able to locate and appraise appropriate legislation and authoritative guidelines relating to shelf life extension;
  5. Demonstrate an understanding of how regional culture may affect acceptance of different preservation techniques;
  6. Demonstrate advanced scientific report writing and team work skills.

Assessment

Mid-semester exam: 20%

Practical reports: 30%

Examination (2 hours): 50%

Workload requirements

Three hours of lectures per week plus 27 contact hours for practical classes

See also Unit timetable information