Outline

Overview

Food is essential for health and wellbeing and has a key role in the economy. Food system dynamics have become increasingly complex due to changing consumer demands, increased global trade, and advanced technologies now used in the food industry. In this unit, you will develop a comprehensive understanding of the monitoring and control of quality and safety of foods during the food production process and its distribution. The content is aimed at ensuring that the consumer receives food products that are safe to consume and with the desired level of quality, both in terms of their sensory attributes and nutritional composition. You will examine techniques for the monitoring and control of food quality and food safety. On completion of this unit, you will be better able to: 1) Understand the roles of quality control, quality assurance and quality management systems in controlling the quality and safety of food; 2) Outline key issues in food legislation and its implementation in control and management of food quality and safety. You will develop a sound underpinning of the scientific concepts of food safety and quality management for a range of fresh and processed foods.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	FOOD3000
Academic unit	Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	Completion of 72 credit points of units of study
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	Equivalent to 1st-year Biology plus 2nd-year chemistry/biochemistry: -biology, chemistry, biochemistry -Carbohydrates, proteins (including enzymes), lipids -Principles of cellular metabolism -6cp of BIOL1XXX or MBLG1XXX or FOOD2000
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Ali Khoddami, ali.khoddami@sydney.edu.au
Guest lecturer(s)	Julian Cox, julian.cox@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Ali Khoddami, ali.khoddami@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Valeria Messina, valeria.messina@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Supervised exam ?	Final exam The exam is a closed book, and compulsory to attend.	30%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Quality assurance project - informational video Submitted multimedia presentation	10%	Week 08 Due date: 19 Sep 2023 at 23:59	3-4 min informational video
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Quality assurance project - peer review Peer review of one group's draft report by members of another group	5%	Week 09 Due date: 06 Oct 2023 at 23:59	250 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Quality assurance project - final report Scientific written report by groups of students	25%	Week 10 Due date: 13 Oct 2023 at 23:59	2000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Quality assurance project - teamwork Self-evaluation of own and peer performance in the group project.	0%	Week 11 Due date: 20 Oct 2023 at 11:59	Week 6 and 11 survey
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Portfolio PebblePad e-portfolio URL submission.	30%	Week 13 Due date: 03 Nov 2023 at 23:59	Week 5, 9 & 13, commensurate with task.
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Quality assurance project. This team project will require you to explore various aspects of food safety and quality legislation and operational processes in the context of a specific food product. You will collaborate to produce a written report, supported by a peer review process for a draft of the report, and to present a summary of your findings in a informational video format. You will also be required to provide feedback to your teammates (and teaching staff) on how your team is working.

Portfolio. This electronic portfolio will require you to reflect upon and connect elements of the technical content of FOOD3000, as well as capture your development of complementary skills, and develop your own sense of your professional identity, capabilities, and grasp of food quality and safety.

Final Exam. The exam is closed book and contains MCQs and SAQs. The final exam assessment is compulsory and failure to attend, attempt, or submit will result in the award of an AF grade. If a second replacement exam is required, this exam may be delivered via an alternative assessment method, such as a viva voce (oral exam). The alternative assessment will meet the same learning outcomes as the original exam. The format of the alternative assessment will be determined by the unit coordinator.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2021 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	At HD level, a student demonstrates a flair for the subject as well as a detailed and comprehensive understanding of the unit material. A ‘High Distinction’ reflects exceptional achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates the ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding to produce original solutions for novel or highly complex problems and/or comprehensive critical discussions of theoretical concepts.
Distinction	75 - 84	At DI level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a well-developed understanding of the unit material. A ‘Distinction’ reflects excellent achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates an ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding of the subject to produce good solutions for challenging problems and/or a reasonably well-developed critical analysis of theoretical concepts.
Credit	65 - 74	At CR level, a student demonstrates a good command and knowledge of the unit material. A ‘Credit’ reflects solid achievement and is awarded to a student who has a broad general understanding of the unit material and can solve routine problems and/or identify and superficially discuss theoretical concepts.
Pass	50 - 64	At PS level, a student demonstrates proficiency in the unit material. A ‘Pass’ reflects satisfactory achievement and is awarded to a student who has threshold knowledge.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

From <curriculum/index.cfm?action=viewmodule&returnto=allmodules&moduleId=239468&deliveryperiodId=-1>

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

A 5% per day penalty will be used for ALL the assessments' late submissions.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction to FOOD3000	Lecture (2 hr)
	Product evaluation, reflective practice	Tutorial (3 hr)
	Product evaluation, reflective practice	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 02	Quality assurance systems	Lecture (2 hr)
	Food safety culture	Tutorial (3 hr)
	Food safety culture	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 03	Food regulation	Lecture (2 hr)
	Regulatory science	Tutorial (3 hr)
	Regulatory science	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 04	Criteria and sampling plans	Lecture (2 hr)
	Modification of criteria	Tutorial (3 hr)
	Modification of criteria	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 05	Principles of HACCP	Lecture (2 hr)
	HACCP the Mac	Tutorial (3 hr)
	HACCP the Mac	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 06	Risk assessment	Lecture (2 hr)
	Risk assessment in food supply chains	Tutorial (3 hr)
	Risk assessment in food supply chains	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 07	Cleaning and sanitation	Lecture (2 hr)
	Environmental monitoring	Tutorial (3 hr)
	Environmental monitoring	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 08	Prerequisite programs	Lecture (2 hr)
	Student seminar	Seminar (3 hr)
	Student seminar	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 09	Food microbiology 101	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Introduction to PC2 lab, basic techniques	Science laboratory (3 hr)
Week 10	Microbial methods for quality control	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Microbiological testing I	Science laboratory (3 hr)
Week 11	Labelling	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Microbiological testing II	Science laboratory (3 hr)
Week 12	Chemical methods for quality control	Lecture (2 hr)
	Analysis of chemical goodies	Tutorial (3 hr)
	Analysis of chemical goodies	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 13	Food integrity	Lecture (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

All lectures will be delivered in-person, and recorded.

All tutorial and laboratory classes will be delivered in-person. The students are expected to attend in-person and classes will be designed with that expectation in mind.

The practical classes are designed to facilitate learning by engaging students in thought exercises, analytical activities, discussions, and hands-on activities. I want to emphasise that the onus is on you to engage with the classes; you will get little value unless you actively participate.

You must attend at the practical (tutorial and laboratory) classes. It is your responsibility to sign the attendance sheet.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Explain and discuss key scientific concepts underpinning food quality and safety
LO2. Describe governance of food quality and safety in Australia including legislation, regulation, industry codes of practice, and quality assurance systems
LO3. Apply selected quality assurance systems used in the food industry to control food quality and safety
LO4. Determine control points and critical control points in model food processing operations and supply chains
LO5. Apply standard and emerging methods of analysis to monitor food quality and safety
LO6. Describe how risk assessment tools are developed and applied in model food processing operations and supply chains
LO7. Demonstrate and apply skills in collaborative learning, reflective practice, team work, and communication

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Final exam (Supervised) added to assessment schedule to reduce academic integrity risks. Quality assurance project consolidated into one task. The recorded seminar is now described as an informational video task. E-Portfolio submission number is down to 3 submissions to reduce pressure on students and give them more freedom to study the course content.

Additional information

Work, health and safety

The laboratory classes will be conducted in a PC2 Laboratory.

You must review the online safety information prior to each laboratory class. You will be required to complete a safety induction, including an acknowledgement that you have understood the WHS information, prior to beginning practical activities in the laboratory.

Detailed WHS information will be provided through Canvas and LabArchives.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

FOOD3000: Food Quality and Safety

Semester 2, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect