Why Bachelor of Science?
Do you want to immerse yourself in the world of good food – and get paid for it? This is where science, technology, creativity and societal impact come together.
Food scientists experiment with exciting technologies, from processing tools to nanotechnology. They invent new foods and flavours, collaborating with chefs, engineers and marketers to bring bold ideas to life.
As you innovate and adapt food products for the future, you’ll be at the forefront of creating sustainable solutions. You could help make delicious, nutritious food accessible to all, or prevent foodborne illnesses and improve public health.
Food matters, and as a food scientist, you can make a real difference in people’s lives. You’ll build a versatile and globally relevant career – because people will always need to eat.
Overview
Our Bachelor of Science majoring in Food Science and Technology teaches you to innovate and push the boundaries with food. It covers foundational chemistry and biology, with specialised courses in nutrition, microbiology, food science and technology.
Hone your practical skills in purpose-built food laboratories, sensory booths, commercial kitchens and biomedical facilities.
Experience the full production journey as you design, create and package food in line with industry standards. Get familiar with key technologies like pasteurisation, sterilisation and fermentation. Use sensory analysis to assess products, experimenting with different smells, textures and flavours.
We deep-dive into future industry trends, ethical considerations and regulatory requirements – preparing you for the global shift towards more sustainable food production. You’ll gain real-world experience in the wider food industry, building professional connections and applying food science on the job.
You'll build highly transferable scientific and technical skills and graduate ready for dynamic careers around the globe, with excellent job security in a growing field.
Key features
Explore the chemistry and business of food in depth. - Design, create and package real products under industry-standard conditions.
- Use your senses to analyse and evaluate food properties.
- Get familiar with quality assurance, food safety and regulatory requirements.
- Innovate and experiment in food labs, sensory booths, commercial kitchens and biomedical facilities.
- Learn about Aboriginal food systems to inform sustainable production.
What you'll learn
Our Bachelor of Science majoring in Food Science and Technology covers foundational chemistry and biology, as well as more specific courses in nutrition, microbiology, food science and food technology.
Work to real industry standards as you design, formulate, produce, package, and market a variety of food products. Experience the full spectrum of preservation, processing and handling for fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, pulses, fish, red meat and milk.
Learn all about the processing technologies used to control microbial growth and extend shelf life, including:
- pasteurisation
- sterilisation
- blanching
- fermentation
- dehydration
- canning
- vacuum packaging.
Use sensory analysis techniques to evaluate the appearance, aroma, flavour, texture and even sound of food and beverages, ensuring products are consistent and meet consumer expectations.
Explore future trends and challenges in the food industry, such as:
- sustainable food production
- food waste reduction
- alternative protein sources
- nutrient replacements
- aquaculture
- space foods
- Aboriginal food systems
- the impact of microplastics
- ultra- processed foods
- edible packaging
- transgenic crops.
Understand ethical considerations and regulatory requirements for food quality and safety and build your communication expertise. Develop fundamental laboratory skills through laboratory practicals. In your final year, gain real-world experience with an 80-hour industry placement or project.
Courses include:
- Nutrition science
- Food science
- Food microbiology
- Food chemistry
- Sensory evaluations of food
- Food safety regulation
- Food preservation, processing and packaging
- Food product development
- Future foods.
You can also expand your career potential with electives from across Adelaide University in areas like Health, Business and Biotechnology.
Majors
The Bachelor of Science is also available with majors in the following:
What courses you'll study
Complete 144 units comprising:
- 42 to 54 units for Core Courses, and
- Either:
- 30 to 90 units for one Major from Majors, or
- 48 units from Discipline courses, and
- 6 to 18 units for Work integrated learning, and
- 0 to 48 units for Electives
Complete 42 to 54 units comprising:
- 6 to 12 units for all Program Core, and
- 12 to 18 units from Common Core, and
- 6 to 30 units from Core Selective
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course name
Science of People, Society and the Future Planet
|
Course code
SCIE1001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Data Skills for Scientists
|
Course code
STAT1000
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
An Ethically Rich Life
|
Course code
COREX001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Fact or Fiction: Data for Everyone
|
Course code
COREX002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Igniting Change: Ideas to Action
|
Course code
COREX003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Proppa Ways, Future Practice
|
Course code
COREX004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Responsible AI: Bridging Ethics, Education and Industry
|
Course code
COREX005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Ways of Being, Ways of Seeing
|
Course code
COREX006
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Biology 1A: Molecules, Genes and Cells
|
Course code
BIOL1003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Biology 1B: Evolution and Diversity of Organisms
|
Course code
BIOL1004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Foundations in Chemistry
|
Course code
CHEM1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Chemistry 1A
|
Course code
CHEM1002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Chemistry 1B
|
Course code
CHEM1003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Planet Earth
|
Course code
EART1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Earth, Climate and Life Systems
|
Course code
EART1012
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Foundations in Mathematics
|
Course code
MATH1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Calculus 1
|
Course code
MATH1004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Calculus 2
|
Course code
MATH1005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Foundations in Physics
|
Course code
PHYS1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Physics 1A
|
Course code
PHYS1001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Physics 1B
|
Course code
PHYS1002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Linear Algebra
|
Course code
MATHX104
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Differential Equations
|
Course code
MATHX202
|
Units
6
|
Notes
Program Core - Students in the following Majors will not enrol in STAT1000 Data Skills for Scientists:
Computational Physics, Experimental Physics, Nuclear and Radiation Physics, Physics and Geophysics, Space Science and Astrophysics, Theoretical Physics
Complete 72 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Food Product Development 3
|
Course code
FOOD3004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Future Foods
|
Course code
FOOD3005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Advanced Food Microbiology
|
Course code
FOOD3015
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Foundations in Mathematics
|
Course code
MATH1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Nutrition
|
Course code
NUTR1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Food and Science Technology
|
Course code
FOOD1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Sensory Evaluations of Food
|
Course code
FOODX200
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Food Processing and Safety
|
Course code
ENGPX415
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Food Microbiology
|
Course code
FOODX500
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Food Chemistry
|
Course code
CHEMX200
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Food Quality and Regulation
|
Course code
FOODX501
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Food Processing and Manufacturing
|
Course code
FOOD3003
|
Units
6
|
Complete 6 to 18 units comprising:
- One of the following:
- 12 units from Analytical Chemistry, Chemistry, Nuclear Chemistry and Pure and Applied Chemistry work integrated learning, or
- 12 units for all Animal Behaviour work integrated learning, or
- 6 units for all Animal Science work integrated learning, or
- 18 units for all Biochemistry and Biotechnology work integrated learning, or
- 6 units for all Computational Physics work integrated learning, or
- 6 units for all Ecology and Marine and Wildlife Conservation work integrated learning, or
- 12 units for all Environmental and Geospatial Science and Environmental Science work integrated learning, or
- 6 units for all Evolutionary Biology work integrated learning, or
- 12 units for all Evolutionary Biology and Palaeontology work integrated learning, or
- 6 units for all Experimental Physics work integrated learning, or
- 6 units for all Food Science and Technology work integrated learning, or
- 18 units from Genetics work integrated learning, or
- 6 units for all Geology and Geology and Earth Resources work integrated learning, or
- 6 units for all Geology and Palaeontology work integrated learning, or
- 6 units for all Geophysics work integrated learning, or
- 6 units for all Medicinal and Biological Chemistry work integrated learning, or
- 18 units for all Microbiology and Immunology work integrated learning, or
- 6 units from Nuclear and Radiation Physics and Theoretical Physics work integrated learning, or
- 12 units for all Physics and Geophysics work integrated learning, or
- 6 units for all Plant Biology work integrated learning, or
- 6 units for all Soil Science work integrated learning, or
- 6 units for all Space Science and Astrophysics work integrated learning, and
- 0 to 6 units from Additional work integrated learning - Optional
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Organic Chemistry 3
|
Course code
CHEM3001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Inorganic Chemistry 3
|
Course code
CHEM3002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Physical Chemistry 3
|
Course code
CHEM3003
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Advanced Applications in Animal Behaviour
|
Course code
ANIM3900
|
Units
12
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Professional Skills in Animal Science
|
Course code
ANIM3005
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Molecular and Biomedical Science Practical 2
|
Course code
BIOL2900
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Practical 3
|
Course code
BIOL3007
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Biochemistry 3: Practical
|
Course code
BIOL3011
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Computational Physics
|
Course code
PHYSX300
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Research Methods: Ecology, Marine and Wildlife 3
|
Course code
BIOL3013
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Environmental and Geospatial Field Project
|
Course code
ENVI3014
|
Units
12
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Evolutionary Biology 3 Practical
|
Course code
BIOL3036
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Field Palaeontology 3
|
Course code
EART3002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Evolutionary Biology 3 Practical
|
Course code
BIOL3036
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Experimental Physics
|
Course code
PHYSX301
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Science Professional Placement
|
Course code
SCIE3900
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Genetics Practical 3B
|
Course code
BIOL2016
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Molecular and Biomedical Science Practical 2
|
Course code
BIOL2900
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Practical 3
|
Course code
BIOL3007
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Genetics Practical 3A
|
Course code
BIOL3900
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Field Geoscience Program 3
|
Course code
EART3003
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Field Palaeontology 3
|
Course code
EART3002
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Geophysics 3C: Seismic Processing and Interpretation
|
Course code
EART3004
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Organic Chemistry 3
|
Course code
CHEM3001
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Molecular and Biomedical Science Practical 2
|
Course code
BIOL2900
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Practical 3
|
Course code
BIOL3007
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Microbiology and Immunology Practical 3
|
Course code
BIOL3012
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Computational Physics
|
Course code
PHYSX300
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Experimental Physics
|
Course code
PHYSX301
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Geophysics 3C: Seismic Processing and Interpretation
|
Course code
EART3004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Experimental Physics
|
Course code
PHYSX301
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Science Professional Placement
|
Course code
SCIE3900
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Landscape Evolution 3
|
Course code
EART3006
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Experimental Physics
|
Course code
PHYSX301
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Science Professional Placement
|
Course code
SCIE3900
|
Units
6
|
Career outcomes
This degree prepares you for success in food research and development, quality assurance, and various culinary roles at major consumer goods companies and ingredient suppliers. You could be the real-life Willy Wonka, concocting irresistible chocolates or 3D printing lollies. You might advance alternative proteins at a company like Beyond Meat or Impossible Foods. Perhaps you’ll manufacture the perfect chip (hot or not, the challenge is yours).
You could also be a:
- Product development manager
- Microbiology specialist
- Food policy advisor
- Food safety advisor
- Quality assurance officer
- Food technician
- Flavour technologist.
Industry trends
The Australian food and beverage industry exports $40 billion a year – and is growing rapidly. The public and private sectors are on the hunt for talented graduates in food technology and food chemistry, especially those with expertise in food science, quality assurance, product development and food safety. It is very likely that demand for food science and technology graduates will increase in the future due to the growing pressure on food systems created by population growth and climate change. Additionally, providing a secure and sustainable food supply was the focus of a Federal government inquiry in 2023 (Australian Food Story: Feeding the Nation and Beyond). The resulting initiatives could create a new wave of exciting prospects for food scientists, making now the perfect time to enter this delectable field.
Ready to apply?
Please note that a non-refundable application fee of AUD$150 applies for every application submitted to Adelaide University.
Your study experience and support
Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.
You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.
Student services
We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:
- Career advice and mentoring services
- Personal counselling
- LGBTQIA+ support
- Academic support
- Fees and finance help
- Security services
- Accommodation services
- Common rooms
- Prayer rooms.
You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.
Your campus
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
Study hours
Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:
- Case studies
- Essays and assignments
- Examinations
- Group projects
- Internships and placements
- Practicals
- Presentations
- Reports and project documentations
- Research projects
- Workplace and classroom contributions.
