Master's Degree Programme in Food Development

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Master's Degree Programme in Food Development

Nordic expertise in natural foods.

The master’s degree programme in food development provides you with competence for meeting the challenges in the research and development in the food industry and academia.

The Programme is designed to provide you with an understanding of the connections between the different aspects and functions of food. Special attention is paid to the influence of various factors on the composition, sensory properties and health effects of food at a molecular level. Application of food metabolomics and modern biotechnological methods in food research and food development is an important part of the curriculum. The curriculum also covers various aspects of food safety and European food laws and legislation.

Through the Programme, you will gain education and qualification for working as an expert, for example in food authorities.

PROGRAMME IN BRIEF

Programme structure

The Master’s Degree in Food Development is a two-year programme amounting to 120 ECTS. The degree is comprised of:

• Major subject studies in Food Development including Master’s thesis in technology and related research project and seminar.
• Minor subject from e.g.: Bioinformatics, Molecular Systems Biology, Biotechnology or Entrepreneurship.
• Finnish language studies.
• Selectable studies in different thematic areas and special themes.

Academic excellence & experience

The Food Chemistry and Food Development Unit is an essential element of core strength of food science and technology in Finland. The Unit has an internationally edge-cutting profile in research on:

• the chemistry and biochemistry of food lipids and secondary metabolites.
• the molecular basis of food quality and the health-promoting properties of food with a special focus on the northern crops and wild resources.
• the significance of northern climate as factors influencing crop quality.
• food development research and technological innovation for the sustainable utilization and value addition of food resources.
• With an internationally well-established record in berry research, oils and fats, human milk, and cow milk, the Unit has expanded its research into other food resources such as cereals, legumes, and mushrooms. The research also targets new food resources for future food security, healthy diet, and business growth.

The ultimate goal is to support the sustainable bio-future based on internationally top science. State-of-art targeted and non-targeted food metabolomics are important tools for research. In addition to basic sciences, the research of the Unit includes strong applied angle supporting the research and innovation in the food industry.

Master's thesis & topics

The final project aiming for the Master’s thesis in technology is based on independent, experimental research project in a laboratory. The research work is made under the guidance of a supervisor and takes three months. The results obtained from the research project will be presented in a Master’s seminar using common procedures known from scientific meetings. The Master’s thesis will be written based on the results of the experimental work and a review of relevant background literature.

Examples of thesis topics:

• Triacylglycerol fatty acid composition and expression levels of related biosynthesis genes in seeds and pulp of developing sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides) berries.
• Effects of wine yeast on the chemical composition of blackcurrant wine – anthocyanins and alcohols.
• Development of Lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L) based Mayonnaises.
• Optimization of a UHPLC method for analysis of cafestol and kahweol in various coffee types.
• A sensory contribution of glycosylated phenolic compounds.

DOUBLE DEGREE IN FOOD DEVELOPMENT

The University of Turku has a double degree programme in Food Development with Jiangnan University (Wuxi, China). Food Development students have a possibility to join the double degree programme pursuing Degrees of Master of Science in Technology at the University of Turku and the Master Degree in Engineering at Jiangnan University.

The students fulfilling the degree requirements of the Master’s Degree Programme in Food Development will obtain a Master of Science in Technology degree at the University of Turku. To obtain a double degree from both universities, a student has to, in addition, complete:

• at least 30 ECTS, or one semester equivalent, of coursework in the Jiangnan University.
• jointly supervised Master’s thesis.

CAREER OPTIONS

In the Master’s Degree Programme in Food Development you will:

• learn to understand the phenomena and concepts related to molecular food sciences and different relationships between them.
• gain strong theoretical knowledge on themes of food development and can apply it into practice.
• learn the methods used in food development and how to apply them to research and product development purposes.
• gain knowledge on how to search, apply, and create information.
• gain the ability to make justifiable decisions based on the information that you have critically achieved.
• gain experience in real life work, in academic and industrial projects in food research and development.
• get skills to work in a responsible role as part of multi-disciplinary and multicultural teams.

Job options

The Programme provides you with competence for meeting the challenges in the research and development in the food industry and academia. Through the Programme, you also gain education and qualification for working as an expert in food authorities and other related functions in the society.

Students graduating from the Programme may work, among others, as:

• r&d manager.
• quality manager.
• researcher.
• product developer.
• entrepreneur.
• coordinator.
• product specialist.

Career in research

Master of Science degree provides you with eligibility for scientific postgraduate degree studies. Postgraduate degrees are doctoral and licentiate degrees.

Graduates from the Programme are eligible to apply for a position in the University of Turku Graduate School, UTUGS. The Graduate School consists of 16 doctoral programmes which cover all disciplines and doctoral candidates of the University.

Together with the doctoral programmes, the Graduate School provides systematic and high-quality doctoral training. UTUGS aims to train highly qualified experts with the skills required for both professional careers in research and other positions of expertise.

GENERAL DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

A Bachelor’s degree that formally qualifies the applicant to access Master’s level studies in the country where it has been completed. This degree should correspond to at least 180 ECTS (European credits) or to a minimum of three years of full-time study. You must also prove your English language skills when applying. Please visit the website of the programme for more information.

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