Course Details
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Brief Description
Pursue a career in food science and technology, food chemistry or nutrition with UL鈥檚 Postgraduate Diploma in Functional Foods and Product Development.
The evidence-based interdisciplinary programme places research excellence in food science at its centre and equips students with theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the development and validation of functional foods.
The wide range of modules prepares students to design in vitro (i.e. chemical and cell-based protocols) and in vivo (i.e. yeasts, animals, and human interventions) protocols.
Graduates can use this diploma as a standalone qualification.
During this programme, you will:
- Gain hands-on practical experience in developing foods and ingredients.
- Explore the theoretical and practical science and technologies behind the development and validation of functional foods.
- Focus on EFSA regulations on Novel Foods and Health claims as well as project management, innovation, business and entrepreneurship.
- Explore a wide range of topics including sensory analysis, product development, fermentation-based products, functional lipids and protein-based ingredients, nutraceuticals and epidemiology.
Key Information:
- Complete full-time in one year or part-time over two years
- Delivered on campus
- Modules taught during autumn and spring semesters
You will learn through a blend of:
- Lectures, workshops, and hands-on activities
- Reflective practice and guided research
- Regular feedback from faculty and peers
Full-time
Autumn Semester
- covers the principles, technological processes and microbes involved in the fermentation of substrates, including those of plant and animal origins.
- introduces concepts associated with the identification, generation, characterisation and validation of health-enhancing food protein/peptide-based functional food ingredients.
- provides comprehensive understanding of foods and bioactive ingredients with demonstrated enhanced physiological function or effects in disease risk reduction.
- provides a comprehensive understanding of functional food development, from idea mining to the product on the market.
- develops appreciation of the process and application of creativity and innovation in entrepreneurship and Small and Medium Size Enterprises.
Option to exit with Graduate Certificate here
Spring Semester
- investigates how industrial food by-products can be converted into high-value functional ingredients, with students gaining hands-on laboratory experience in extraction, purification, and evaluation of bioactive compounds.
- provides students with an in-depth understanding of the aetiology for the need for nutraceuticals.
- describes how food lipids can be extracted, the nutritional value of food lipids and how these lipids can be valorised to produce novel functional foods and nutraceuticals.
- enables students to analyse relevant scientific literature, organise the results of scientific experimentation and analysis and present the information.
- develops an understanding of epidemiological study designs and research concepts of direct relevance to the role of food and nutrition in the prevention and causation of disease.
Part-time Year 1
Autumn Semester
Spring Semester
Part-time Year 2
Autumn Semester
Spring Semester
Books and journal articles needed for the course will be available online through the UL Glucksman Library.
For more information on each module, you can search the faculty, school and module code on UL鈥檚
- Applicants should hold a bachelor鈥檚 degree ( Level 8) with at least a second-class honour, grade 2 (2:2) in a relevant branch of Food Science and Health Sciences (i.e. Nutrition and Pharmacy) or Food, Biosciences, Bioprocessing, Biotechnology and Chemical Engineering. Degrees in Chemistry, Food Technology, Food Engineering, and Biology are also accepted.
Other Entry Considerations:
We encourage you to apply even if you don鈥檛 meet the standard entry requirements, as long as you can show that you have the knowledge, skills, and experience needed for the programme
At UL, we value all kinds of learning and support different ways to qualify through our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy.
International students:
For details on country-specific qualifications visit postgraduate entry requirements for international students.
Checklist of documents:
- *Academic transcripts and certificates
- UL graduates only need to provide their student ID.
- Copy of your birth certificate or passport
- English translation of your qualifications and transcripts
- Copy of your CV outlining your work experience (with details of each role you have held) and your technical and analytical skills.
English Language:
- English Language Competency certificate
- For details on accepted language qualifications visit English Language Requirements
Guidelines on Completing your Application
- To make sure we can review your application quickly, please:
- Upload all documents. Your application can鈥檛 be reviewed until we have all the documents on the checklist.鈥
- Title the documents you are uploading. For example, "Personal Statement", "Undergraduate Transcript", "Postgraduate Transcript", "English Language Certificate" etc.鈥
- *If you are waiting to graduate, submit your application with the documents you have to date, you don鈥檛 need to have finished final exams before applying.
EU - Full-Time 鈧5,250, Part-Time 鈧3,600 per annum*
Non-EU - Full-Time 鈧13,500, Part-Time 鈧8,300 per annum*
* Year 2 fees are subject to change
Please note that international study visas are only available to students studying full-time in Ireland. Only the full-time version of this programme qualifies for a study visa.鈥
Annual fees are billed by semester. Once registered, students may be eligible to apply for a monthly payment plan.
Further information on fees and payment of fees is available from the Student Fees Office website. All fee related queries should be directed to the Student Fees Office (Phone: +353 61 213 007 or email student.fees.office@ul.ie).
Funding
Find further information on funding and scholarships.
This course can lead to the following sectors and careers:
- Food technology
- Nutrition
- Food chemistry
- Research and development
- Pharmaceuticals
- Post-graduate research
Alice Murphy, MSc Functional Foods & Product Development. 鈥淭he master's will challenge your thinking on topics such as food education, food resourcing, clinical implications of food to even food optimisation. You might even be a member of a group that makes a ground-breaking discovery or invention.鈥
Still Curious?
The team regularly host and take part in webinars to support future students. If you would like to learn more or ask questions at an online information session, click below.
Still Curious?
The team from Kemmy Business School regularly host and take part in webinars to support future students. If you would like to learn more or ask questions at an online information session, click below.
Graduate and Professional Studies
+353 (0)61 234377
九色视频, Limerick, Ireland