Master of Food Technology

Program Overview

The Master of Food Technology (MFoodTech) at Massey University is a 180-credit program designed to equip students with the research and technical skills needed to excel in the food industry. Through hands-on learning, access to world-leading facilities, and a focus on real-world problems, graduates are well-positioned for careers in research, product development, and management. The program is accredited by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority and ranked among the top 75 universities worldwide for Food Science and Technology.

Program Outline

It is a 180-credit program that can be completed in 1 year and 6 months full-time or up to 5 years part-time. The program is designed to provide students with the research and technical skills needed to apply their knowledge in the commercial world. Students will work on real food industry issues and have access to world-leading facilities.

Objectives:

The program aims to:

• Produce graduates who are research and development champions in the food industry.
• Equip students with the skills needed to undertake independent research in the food industry.
• Enable students to work on real food industry problems and solutions.
• Provide access to world-leading facilities to help students develop new ideas, prototypes, and work with consumers.

Description:

The MFoodTech is a highly regarded program that has been producing graduates for the New Zealand and international food industries for over 50 years. The program is taught by experienced academics and researchers and provides students with a hands-on learning experience.

Outline:

Content:

The MFoodTech program covers a wide range of topics, including:

• Food science
• Food technology
• Food engineering
• Food chemistry
• Food microbiology
• Food safety
• Food packaging
• Food processing
• Food product development

Structure:

The program is divided into two parts:

• Part One (60 credits) - This part consists of research methods courses and food technology courses.
• Part Two (120 credits) - This part consists of a thesis.

Course schedule:

The program offers a variety of courses throughout the year. Students can choose from a range of courses to meet their individual interests and career goals.

Modules:

Some of the modules offered in the program include:

• Research Methods in Engineering and Technology
• Food Packaging, Preservation and Storage
• Strategic Food Product Development
• Food Ingredient Functionality
• Thesis

Module descriptions:

• Research Methods in Engineering and Technology: This module covers research methods for students in engineering and technology.
Topics include statistical design of research experiments, hypothesis testing, data analysis, and writing research proposals.
• Strategic Food Product Development: This module provides a strategic overview of the food product development process from the initial new product strategy to the launch of the finished food product.
• Food Ingredient Functionality: This module focuses on the physico-chemical properties of food ingredients and their impact on the stability, sensory properties, and health properties of foods.
• Thesis: This module involves conducting independent research in a defined area of Food Science, Technology or Engineering.

Assessment:

Assessment methods:

The program uses a variety of assessment methods, including:

• Assignments
• Exams
• Presentations
• Thesis
However, all assessments are designed to assess students' knowledge, understanding, and application of the concepts covered in the program.

Teaching:

Teaching methods:

The program uses a variety of teaching methods, including:

• Lectures
• Tutorials
• Workshops
• Laboratory work
• Independent research

Faculty:

The program is taught by a team of experienced academics and researchers. The faculty has expertise in a wide range of food science and technology areas.

• A focus on real-world problems
• Access to world-leading facilities
• A strong emphasis on research

Careers:

Career paths:

Graduates of the MFoodTech program can pursue a variety of careers in the food industry, including:

• Research and development
• Product development
• Quality assurance
• Food safety
• Food processing
• Food marketing

Opportunities:

The food industry is a growing industry with a high demand for skilled professionals. Graduates of the MFoodTech program are well-positioned to secure employment in this industry.

Outcomes:

Graduates of the MFoodTech program have been successful in securing employment in a variety of roles within the food industry. Many graduates have gone on to have successful careers in research, product development, and management.

Other:

World-leading facilities:

The program has access to world-leading facilities, including:

• A fully equipped pilot plant
• Labs equipped to analyze and characterize food texture, rheology, physical properties, chemical composition, and microbial flora
• A post-harvest lab to study the packaging, storage, and preservation of fruits and vegetables

Research expertise:

Massey University has research expertise in a variety of areas, including:

• Meat and fish technology
• Dairy technology
• Fruit and vegetables
• Cereals
• Food additives and ingredients

Accreditation:

The MFoodTech program is accredited by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).

Ranking:

Massey University is ranked as one of the top 75 universities worldwide for Food Science and Technology (out of 300) by ShanghaiRanking.

Admission requirements:

To be eligible for admission to the MFoodTech program, applicants must have a bachelor's degree or equivalent in food technology, food engineering, or food science.