Why Bachelor of Science (Honours)?
Are you passionate about exploring the world of food? Eager to turn that enthusiasm into a rewarding career? Food science is where innovation, technology, and creativity intersect to shape the future of what we eat and how it impacts society.
Food scientists are at the cutting edge of developing new products and improving existing ones, using everything from advanced processing techniques to emerging fields like nanotechnology. They work closely with chefs, engineers and marketing teams to transform bold concepts into real products that reach consumers.
They play an important part in making nutritious, safe and appealing food accessible to everyone. Whether you’re developing plant-based alternatives, enhancing food preservation methods, or improving food safety standards, your work can have a meaningful impact on people’s lives and wellbeing.
Overview
Transform the future of food and drive innovation in the food sector. You’ll start your studies with a solid grounding in chemistry and biology, before advancing into focused studies in nutrition, microbiology and food technology.
Develop hands-on expertise in purpose-built food laboratories, sensory booths, commercial kitchens and biomedical facilities. Gain practical experience across the entire food production process – from conceptualising and formulating new products, to designing packaging that meets industry standards. Master essential technologies such a pasteurisation, sterilisation and fermentation. Refine your sensory analysis skills by exploring diverse aromas, textures and flavours of food.
Your Bachelor of Science (Honours) majoring in Food Science and Technology will set you up for a career in research, manufacturing, government and more. When you graduate, you’ll be equipped with a unique set of scientific and technical abilities that are highly valued worldwide. This degree opens doors to a dynamic and secure career in a rapidly expanding field, ensuring you’re ready to make a meaningful impact wherever your passion for food takes you.
Key features
Understand the science and business driving the food industry.- Design, develop, and package authentic food products.
- Train your senses to assess and interpret the taste, aroma, texture and appearance of food.
- Develop skills in quality control, food safety, and regulatory compliance.
- Broaden your knowledge and learn advanced scientific techniques during your honours year.
- Experiment and innovate in advanced food labs, sensory booths, commercial kitchens and biomedical facilities.
What you'll learn
Our Bachelor of Science (Honours) majoring in Food Science and Technology equips you with versatile scientific and technical skills, preparing you for a dynamic, secure and globally relevant career in the ever-evolving food industry. You’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of the science behind what we eat. Build an essential foundation in courses such as chemistry and biology, before expanding your knowledge in specialised areas such as nutrition, microbiology, food science and food technology.
Work to industry standards as you design, develop, manufacture, package and market a diverse range of food products. You’ll cover the entire food supply chain, including the preservation, processing, and handling of fresh produce, grains, pulses, seafood, meats, and dairy.
Explore a range of food preservation and processing technologies, including pasteurisation, sterilisation and blanching. You’ll learn to use sensory evaluation methods to assess the look, aroma, taste, texture, and even the sound of foods and beverages, ensuring products meet quality and consumer expectations.
The program also addresses emerging trends and challenges in the food sector, such as sustainable food production, reducing food waste, alternative proteins and space foods. You’ll gain a solid grounding in food safety, regulatory frameworks, and ethical considerations, while developing strong communication and laboratory skills through hands-on practicals.
Real-world industry placements and projects will help you build professional networks and apply your knowledge in practical settings, preparing you for a seamless transition into the workforce. In your third year, you’ll complete an 80-hour industry placement or project, giving you valuable real-world experience. Your final honours year will consist of a focused Plant, Food & Soil Sciences project and associated theoretical work. An honours year is also an important step for further postgraduate study.
Majors
The Bachelor of Science (Honours) is also available with majors in the following:
- Animal Behaviour
- Biochemistry
- Marine and Wildlife Conservation
- Microbiology and Immunology
- Nuclear and Radiation Physics
- Nuclear Chemistry
- Plant Biology.
What courses you'll study
Complete 192 units comprising:
- 42 to 54 units for Core courses, and
- 84 to 144 units for Majors, and
- At least 6 units from 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
Differential Equations
|
Course code
MATHX202
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Linear Algebra
|
Course code
MATHX104
|
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 exactly 72 units from the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
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
|
|
|
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
|
Complete at least 6 units from the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Professional Skills in Animal Science
|
Course code
ANIM3005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Advanced Applications in Animal Behaviour
|
Course code
ANIM3900
|
Units
12
|
|
|
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
Genetics Practical 3A
|
Course code
BIOL3900
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Field Palaeontology 3
|
Course code
EART3002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Field Geoscience Program 3
|
Course code
EART3003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Optics and Photonics 3
|
Course code
PHYS3004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Computational Physics
|
Course code
PHYSX300
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Experimental Physics
|
Course code
PHYSX301
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Science Professional Placement
|
Course code
SCIE3900
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Science Professional Project
|
Course code
SCIE3901
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Genetics Practical 3B
|
Course code
BIOL2016
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Geophysics 3C: Seismic Processing and Interpretation
|
Course code
EART3004
|
Units
6
|
Notes
If studying ANACHSCIE - Analytical Chemistry then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studying ANIBHSCIE - Animal Behaviour then complete ANIM3900 - Advanced Applications in Animal Behaviour
If studying BIOCHSCIE - Biochemistry then complete BIOL3007 - Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Practical 3
If studying CHEYHSCIE - Chemistry then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studying ECOLHSCIE - Ecology then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studying ENVGHSCIE - Environmental and Geospatial Science then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studyingENVSHSCIE - Environmental Science then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studying EVOLHSCIE - Evolutionary Biology then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studying EVOPHSCIE - Evolutionary Biology and Palaeontology the complete EART3002 - Field Palaeontology 3
If studying EXPEHSCIE - Experimental Physics then completePHYSX301 - Experimental Physics
If studying FOODHSCIE - Food Science and Technology then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studying GENEHSCIE - Genetics then complete BIOL2900 - Molecular and Biomedical Science Practical 2 or BIOL3901 - Genetics Practical 3B or BIOL3007 - Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Practical 3
If studyingGEOLHSCIE - Geology then complete EART3003 - Field Geoscience Program 3
If studyingGEOEHSCIE - Geology and Earth Resources then complete EART3003 - Field Geoscience Program 3
If studyingGEOPHSCIE - Geology and Palaeontology then complete EART3002 - Field Palaeontology 3
If studyingGEOYHSCIE - Geophysics then complete EART3004 - Geophysics 3C: Seismic Processing and Interpretation and may also complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studyingMARWHSCIE - Marine and Wildlife Conservation then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studyingMEDBHSCIE - Medicinal and Biological Chemistry then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studyingMICRHSCIE - Microbiology and Immunology then complete BIOL2900 - Molecular and Biomedical Science Practical 2 and BIOL3007 - Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Practical 3 and BIOL3012 - Microbiology and Immunology Practical 3
If studyingNUCCHSCIE - Nuclear Chemistry then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studyingNUCRHSCIE - Nuclear and Radiation Physics then complete PHYSX300 - Computational Physics or PHYSX301 - Experimental Physics
If studyingPHYGHSCIE - Physics and Geophysics then complete PHYS3004 - Optics and Photonics 3 or PHYSX300 - Computational Physics
If studyingPLABHSCIE - Plant Biology then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studyingPACHHSCIE - Pure and Applied Chemistry then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studyingSOILHSCIE - Soil Science then complete SCIE3900 - Science Professional Placement
If studyingSPACHSCIE - Space Science and Astrophysics then complete PHYSX301 - Experimental Physics
If studyingTHEOHSCIE - Theoretical Physics then complete PHYSX300 - Computational Physics or PHYSX301 - Experimental Physics
Complete 48 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Advanced Plant, Food and Soil Sciences
|
Course code
AGRI4002
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
Honours Plant, Food and Soil Sciences Project
|
Course code
AGRI4003
|
Units
36
|
Career outcomes
A career in food science is dynamic and globally relevant, offering opportunities in research, manufacturing, government and beyond. As long as there’s a need for food, skilled food scientists will be essential in shaping a healthier, more sustainable future.
You might develop technologies and strategies to minimise waste throughout the food supply chain. Or maybe you’ll research new protein sources and foods suitable for extreme environments like space or deserts. Perhaps you’ll discover innovations in plant-based proteins, cellular agriculture and green processing methods – preparing for a new wave of eating habits.
Careers also include:
- Product development manager
- Microbiology specialist
- Food policy advisor
- Food safety advisor
- Quality assurance officer
- Food technician
- Flavour technologist.
Industry trends
Australia’s food science and technology sector is rapidly evolving, driven by innovation, consumer health trends, sustainability, and digital transformation. Australians are increasingly embracing plant-based diets and alternative proteins, with a surge in innovative meat and dairy substitutes available across supermarkets and restaurants (Australian Innovative Agriculture ventures, 2024).
Adelaide University will empower you to drive positive change in the food industry, tackle pressing issues such as sustainability and health, and prepare you for a dynamic and impactful career.
Accreditation
Adelaide University is working through relevant approvals for program accreditation ahead of students commencing in 2026.
Ready to apply?
Please note that a non-refundable application fee of AUD$150 applies for every application submitted to Adelaide University.
Ask 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.
