Applied Biology
(Food Science)

INTRODUCTION:

The food and beverage industry is Ireland’s most important indigenous industry and contributes greatly towards the economic development of our society. This thriving sector provides interesting, varied and well-paid employment. Today’s consumers are demanding a combination of attractive/nutritional, convenient, affordable and safe food products along with health benefits, thus requiring highly skilled scientists to produce such goods.

The focus of this exciting course involves expertise and knowledge in areas such as science, technology, food safety and nutrition. Throughout the course you will gain valuable insights into the manufacture and the nutritional content of current food products available on the market. You will also get the opportunity to learn new theoretical skills and apply them in practice.

This booming industry is an exciting and rewarding sector to be involved in and this course will provide you with the necessary tools to progress to third level education. Over the years, as a result of this course, our highly skilled graduates have progressed to third level education in Ireland and the UK.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

• Leaving Certificate or equivalent, ideally a minimum of a pass in Mathematics at Ordinary Level Leaving Certificate.
• For mature applicants experience will be considered in lieu of formal qualifications.
• All applicants are interviewed, and places are awarded on suitability.

DURATION:

This is a full-time one-year course.

FEES:

• Student Services: €250
• QQI exam fees: €50*
• Materials: €100
• Field Trip: €40
  Total: €440

Please note that only debit cards/visa/mastercard payments are acceptable for payment. The College cannot accept cash/cheque.

* Note: Students with medical cards are exempt from paying the QQI exam fee.

CERTIFICATION:

• QQI Level 5 in Food Science (5M5267).
• Laboratory Techniques (5M3807).

COURSE CONTENT:

The following subjects may be offered:

EDUCATION PROGRESSION OPPORTUNITIES:

For full details on progression opportunities see these links:

• Cork Colleges Progression Scheme
• QQI Requirements

Students who study and complete this course are eligible to apply for many courses in the Science field within Irish Third Level Institutes. As this course is part of the “Links Scheme” for entry into third level colleges, students gain entry to these linked courses based on their QQI results rather than their Leaving Certificate results. Students who wish to use the links to further studies will need to achieve a certain level in their QQI award.

Some examples of these linked courses include:

University College Cork:

• Food Science (CK505).
• Nutritional Science (CK504).
• Food Marketing & Entrepreneurship (CK502).
• Public Health and Health Promotion (CK706).
• Biological and Chemical Sciences (CK402).
• Chemical Sciences (CK406).
• Environmental & Earth System Sciences (CK404).

MTU Cork:

• Nutrition and Health Science (CR333).
• Applied Biosciences (CR006).
• Analytical and Pharmaceutical Chemistry (CR007).
• Science Courses (CR300).
• Herbal Science (CR330).
• Home Economics and Business Teaching (MT930) – First 3 years in MTU and final 2 in UCC.

Course participants are also eligible to apply to UK Universities to study Dietetic and other Science courses.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES:

The food and pharmaceutical industries are among Ireland’s largest employers and have a large potential for employment.

Job opportunities for students who complete this course include:

• Laboratory assistants
• Operators in food and pharmaceutical industries
• Supervisor/manager in food retail outlets
• Worker/supervisor in food preparation
• Small food business operators