Overview

The Master of Science program is designed for food scientists and graduates wishing to develop and expand their knowledge and skills in their current area of expertise.* This will enable students to meet or maintain professional accreditation standards and to provide opportunities for continuing professional development, as well as the … For more content click the Read More button below. Students will have the chance to work on a complex, open-ended research-based project. This will develop their systematic approach to a problem and require project planning and the ability to analyse, interpret and communicate results proficiently. The completion of the research provides a pathway towards postgraduate research degrees through the development and demonstration of research-related skills. (* It is also possible for students to acquire some knowledge and skills in a different specialisation with the approval of the Stream Authority. This requires completion of an appropriate stream in the Graduate Diploma program 5037 with a credit average (65), which articulates to this program.) The program is designed to enable students to fulfil a number of needs including: Updating technical knowledge and skills in an existing specialisationAcquiring new knowledge and skills in a different specialisationUpdating qualifications and knowledge to meet or maintain professional accreditation standardsProviding opportunities for continuing professional developmentProviding opportunities for interaction with those at the cutting edge of the disciplineProviding a preliminary step towards postgraduate research degrees.

Program Structure

Students must complete 96 UOC when taken as a standalone program.

Students must complete:
- At least 18UOC of research-based courses (at least 12UOC of which must be advanced research-completion courses)
- At least a further 24UOC of advanced disciplinary courses

This degree is offered in the following specialisation (stream):
- Food Science and Technology FOODSS8037

A specialisation consists of 72UOC specialisation courses and 24UOC elective courses. A specialisation (stream) must include:
-at least 24UOC of advanced disciplinary courses
- at least 18UOC research-based courses (at least 12UOC of which must be advanced research-completion courses).
- the balance of 72UOC made up of disciplinary knowledge courses

Students may use elective courses to exceed the minimum requirements of a specialisation.

Specialisation Requirement

Enrolment Disclaimer

Please note that this Handbook is a comprehensive catalogue of our offerings and includes courses that can be taken to satisfy program requirements irrespective as to their availability for a particular year. Availability of courses is best checked using filters on this site or on the class timetable site.

You are responsible for ensuring that you enrol in courses according to your program requirements and by following the advice of your Program Authority. myUNSW enrolment checks that you have met enrolment requirements such as pre-requisites for individual courses but not that you are enrolling in courses that will count towards your program requirements.

Admission Requirements

Entry Requirements

Minimum Entry Requirements
Limitations on Recognition of Prior Learning

For more information about admission requirements for various UNSW programs, visit the following website(s):
Domestic Students
International Student

Program Requirements

Progression Requirements

The courses in each specialisation form an articulated sequence. Students who complete the Graduate Diploma program may upgrade to the Masters program with full credit for the courses undertaken in the previous program, provided they have completed the previous program at UNSW. A pass average (50) is required to articulate to the next level in the sequence. Students who have enrolled in a program will be permitted to exit with a lower qualification in the specialisation sequence providing they have completed the requirements of that program. Subject to the approval of the program authority and available places, students will be permitted to transfer to another specialisation with credit transfer being subject to the requirements of the specialisation into which the student is transferring.

For more information on university policy on progression requirements please visit Academic Progression

Associated Programs

Postgraduate Pathway

Doctor of Philosophy - PhD1031 - Food Science and Technology

Nested Postgraduate Program

Graduate Diploma in Food Science - GDipFoodSc5036 - Food Science
Graduate Certificate in Food Science - GCertFoodSc7037 - Food Science

Professional Outcomes

Professional Recognition

Graduates of the MSc in Food Science are eligible to apply for membership of the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology (AIFST).

Recognition of Achievement

Award with Excellence
Current Students Award with Excellence
For more information, please visit:
The Award with Excellence is awarded in coursework masters programs, including Masters (Extension) but with the exception of Masters (Extended) such as JD and MD, when a Weighted Average Mean (WAM) of at least 80% has been achieved and at least 50% of the requirements of the award are completed at UNSW. All eligible programs will award 'with Excellence' except in special circumstances where approval of Academic Board has been given for a program to opt out.

Additional Information

Computing Requirements

All software required for coursework is provided on the computers in the School computer laboratories. Some students find it advantageous to buy their own computer and software so that they can work at home. Some external courses may require students to own their own computer with Microsoft Office or equivalent. Specialist software packages that are required for external courses will be provided as part of the course pack to students.

Part-time study

All programs are available on a full-time or part-time basis. The part-time mode will usually require students to enrol in a minimum of 18 UOC over three consecutive sessions.

Program Fees

At UNSW fees are generally charged at course level and therefore dependent upon individual enrolment and other factors such as student's residency status. For generic information on fees and additional expenses of UNSW programs, click on one of the following:

Domestic Students
Commonwealth Supported Students (if applicable)
International Students

Additional Expenses and Resources

Field projects, site visits and industry seminars or lectures are a requirement of some courses and may involve additional expense.

Pre-2019 Handbook Editions

Access past handbook editions (2018 and prior)
Pre-2019 Handbook Editions