Bachelor of Food Science and Human Nutrition

Food is an essential part of life

Society continues to face new challenges in food production. Demand for sustainable and healthy choices is growing. As new foods, trends and challenges emerge, we must continue to assess how they impact health. This specialty area of study requires people with a passion for innovative thinking.

You could work with fresh or processed foods, developing new products, or analysing existing ones. Or you could work on ensuring that foods are nutritionally balanced, safe to eat, cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and desirable to buy.

Food and beverage processing is Australia's largest manufacturing industry. This dynamic industry offers great opportunities for food and nutrition scientists to work in different areas. Examples include product development, food regulation, nutrition, quality assurance, food safety and research.

Course overview

You will gain extensive practical experience from our well-equipped laboratories and the industry partners. Our bachelor program covers a wide range of topics, which prepare you for leading roles as a food and nutrition professional and give you a competitive edge in the job market.

Core courses include:

• biology and biochemistry
• biomedical science
• chemistry
• essential nutrients
• food analysis
• food marketing and consumer behaviour
• food product development
• food safety and microbiology
• food technologies
• future food: technologies, issues and trends
• nutrition in health and disease
• plant and animal food products

Admission to our undergraduate degree programs usually requires successful completion of a senior secondary school qualification similar to the Higher School Certificate (HSC), the highest educational award in New South Wales schools.

Applicants who do not speak English as a first language must demonstrate that they meet the University's English proficiency requirement. Further information regarding English language proficiency requirements can be found at the English Language Proficiency for Admission Policy.

In the application portal, you can enter the program you wish to study and upload relevant documents needed as part of your application. It is recommended you submit your application a minimum of 12 weeks before your intended semester of trimester start date.

Graduates of Food Science and Human Nutrition are in high demand. The industry is rapidly growing as society becomes savvier and the thirst for transparency and nutritional information grows.

Technological advances and investment in scientific research also mean there is growing use of food, diet and functional food components to treat and prevent illness and disease.

Graduates can also undertake further study such as Honours or a Higher Degree by Research in Food Science. This program can also provide a pathway into Dietetics with additional study.

Professional Outcomes:

• food scientist, technologist or chemist
• food product development
• food biotechnology
• flavourist
• nutrition education & nutrition research
• community health promotion