MSc Agri-food Technology with Professional Practice

Program Overview

The MSc Agri-food Technology with Professional Practice is a comprehensive 14-month program that equips students with advanced knowledge and skills in agri-food production, supply chain management, and technology. The program's industry-focused curriculum includes an extended research project, preparing graduates for technical roles in the growing agri-food sector. Accredited by the Institute of Food Science and Technology, this program offers access to world-class facilities and industry partnerships, ensuring career success.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The MSc Agri-food Technology with Professional Practice is a 14-month program designed to equip students with advanced skills, knowledge, and expertise needed to undertake technical and production management roles within the growing agri-food sector.

• To develop students' skills in advanced food manufacturing, agri-robotics, new product and process development, food safety and technical management, and supply chain management.
• To prepare students for careers in the agri-food industry, including technical roles, marketing, distribution, plant supervision, and product development.

Outline:

The program is structured as follows:

• Taught element: Students will take a variety of core modules covering topics such as advanced food manufacturing, agri-robotics, digitization in the agri-food industry, food safety and technical management, global agri-food supply chain systems, new product and process development, principles of crop science, and research methods.
• Industry collaborative research project: Students will undertake an extended research project in a commercial context, applying their agri-food knowledge and laboratory skills.

Modules:

• Advanced Food Manufacturing: This module covers the key fundamentals in advanced manufacturing within the food industry, including food process unit operations, food preservation, food packaging systems, hygienic food machine design, food factory design, and food process engineering.
• Agri-Robotics: This module introduces students to the subject of agri-food engineering and the role of modern automation in developing sophisticated and efficient engineering systems to meet the ever-increasing demand of the sector.
• Collaborative Research Project: This module provides students with the opportunity to apply their agri-food knowledge and laboratory skills to an extended practice research study within a commercial context.
• Digitization in Agri-food Industry: This module explores the use of new and advanced technologies, integrated into one system, to enable farmers, wholesalers, food manufacturers, and other stakeholders within the agri-food value chain.
• Food Safety & Technical Management: This module covers the key quality assurance and technical roles within the food industry, including product safety, quality, and legality.
• Global Agri-food Supply Chain Systems: This module examines global agri-food supply chain systems and the importance of agile management in volatile demand situations.
• Principles of Crop Science: This module provides a review of current crop science and its contribution to large-scale food production, including new technologies and their part in the future of sustainable crop production.
• Research Methods (LIAT): This module covers the fundamental skills and background knowledge that students need to undertake a research project, including surveying literature, selecting and justifying a research topic, planning of research, academic writing, data collection, handling and analysis, and presentation and reporting of research.

Assessment:

A variety of assessment methods are used during this course, including essays, examinations, oral presentations, and practicals. These assessments are designed to develop the skills that will be needed for a career in the sector.

Teaching:

• Students will be taught by experienced academics and industry professionals.
• The program includes a mix of lectures, seminars, workshops, and practical sessions.
• Students will have the opportunity to visit agri-food companies and hear from guest speakers.

Careers:

Graduates may pursue careers in:

• Technical roles
• Marketing
• Distribution
• Plant supervision
• Product development
• Government departments that develop food policy
• Starting their own company

Other:

• The program is accredited by the Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST).
• The University of Lincoln has launched the world's first Centre for Doctoral Training in Agri-Food Robotics in collaboration with the University of Cambridge and the University of East Anglia.
• The University was awarded the Queen's Anniversary Prize in November 2023 for its work in supporting the success and sustainability of the UK's food and farming industries.