Designed to equip postgraduate learners with the aptitude and mentality to excel, the coursework-based MSc Food Science with Business Management adopts an interdisciplinary approach that addresses present – and future – problems in the multi-billion-dollar food industry. Addressing pertinent aspects of the all-important sector like food production, analyses, quality and safety; the programme also exposes learners to management, finance, marketing and entrepreneurship.
This dual-pronged approach equips learners with the best of both worlds – the theoretical and technical mastery required to navigate the industry’s challenges, as wellas the business sense to tell the difference between a fleeting fad and a genuine innovation. With this in mind, graduates can look forward to play key roles from the research lab to the boardroom as they seek to manage – and improve – the domestic and international food supply chain.
Anchored on an outcome-based approach, the programme’s delivery involves a rigorous process of conjecture and refutation that hones a learner’s cognitive and communication skills. Two-way discourse is promoted over rote learning and students will develop their critical thinking skills as they engage in collegial, but intense, discussions. Industrial relevance is another key feature of the programme and learners will test their assumptions as they address various case studies that highlight industrial challenges in food technology, quality and safety, among others. The holistic approach is bolstered further by research – which provides the basic skills in business/management while combining with science and technology – give an important element in the subject – and learners are encouraged to present their scholarly work at national scientific meetings and publish a peer-reviewed manuscript at the end of their programme.
Assessment is another integral part of the learning process.Most students will be assessedthroughout the duration of their course andoral presentations, written reports, critical analysis of scientific data, as well asone’s involvement in individual or team-based projects, are some of the criteria for evaluation. Apart from instilling independence and drive in learners, this mode of learning also encourages one to keep abreast of developments in the industry, inculcating a passion for lifelong learning.
The medium of instruction of this programme is English. Thus, the student must posses one of the following qualification:
Candidates, who fail to fulfill any of the above, may be required to take an English Proficiency subject at the University to attain the required language proficiency.
Source: UCSI University