Course description

Duration:
This is a Full-time one-year course, which runs from September to May. Exact details of the timetable will be given out to students during the induction process prior to class commencement in September.

Overview:
This course is suitable for students who are interested in preparing for a career as a food scientist and/or further education in the food, science or agriculture sectors. A food scientist applies their knowledge of biology, chemistry and engineering to develop and improve foods and has a role to play in all aspects of the food chain from production to processing, storage and marketing. As Ireland’s largest Indigenous sector, the Irish Food Industry employs over 54,000 people and 23,000 new jobs are anticipated in the food sector in the coming years, as specified in the Food Wise 2025 report. This sector needs highly qualified graduates with a clear understanding of food, nutrition, sustainabilities, health and their interrelationships. Students throughout the year on this course will have the opportunity to meet scientists, researchers, and postgraduate students in a vast array of scientific fields. This generally takes the format of talks, workshops, and field trips.

Entry Requirements:
One of the following:

Leaving Certificate (LC Established, LCVP, LCA) or equivalent
A Full QQI Level 4 Award (or equivalent)
For Mature applicants (aged 21 or over) – appropriate experience will be considered in lieu of formal qualifications. Note: Mature applicants may be entitled to VTOS funding. For details about VTOS, please contact the college.
As there is an emphasis on the science subjects, Biology and Chemistry, a background in science would be desirable
Applicants whose first language is not English require level B2 competency on the CEFR language framework. Applicants may be required to undergo English language testing to establish their language competency.

Course Modules:

Laboratory Skills
Microbiology
Biology
Chemistry
Nutrition
Food Safety and HACCP
Fruit and Vegetable Production
Mathematics
Communications
Work Experience

Certification:
Level 5 QQI Award Laboratory Techniques (5M3807)

Special Features:

Work placement
Hands-on laboratory experience
Field trips/Lab Tours: Rye River Brewing, Kildare, Annual Brewery Trip, Lab Scientific Lab Tour, Dublin, Department of Agriculture and Food Lab Tour, Kildare, Kerry Group Headquarters, Kildare, Botanic Gardens, Dublin, Killiney Beach Trip, Science Gallery, Trinity College, Annual UCD Open Day for FET students, Ringsend Wastewater Treatment Plant, Dublin, Maritime Museum, Dún Laoghaire
Workshops: Spectroscopy in a suitcase workshop by the Royal Society of Chemistry, Amgen Biotech Experience
Guest speakers from industry and academia give talks about real-world STEM applications and careers: Science Communicator Dr. Niamh Shaw, Dr. Claudia Rocha, School of Physics, TCD, The Irish Astrobiologist, Stewart Gault, PhD Researcher, Dr. Conor Dowling, Smart Sandyford, Natalia Garcia Domenech, PhD candidate, School of Chemistry, TCD. Dr. Joseph Crispell, Data Scientist, UCD, Anne McCormick, Bloom Health, Sandyford, Joseph Ahern, Functional Blends Manager, Kery Food Group
This course is also supported by FIT, which offers students the opportunity to acquire essential skills to gain employment. Students are given training in job interview techniques and CV preparation
CAO advice

Amgen Biotech Experience:

Students will be encouraged to develop a scientific mindset open to ideas and experimentation along with analytical, problem-solving and research skills, through the Amgen Biotech Experience which DFEi takes part in each year. This innovative science education program brings cutting-edge biotechnology into the classroom. It introduces students to the importance of scientific discovery through a molecular biology learning experience that links core science concepts to real-world applications. One of these concepts is DNA fingerprinting which is a technique employed by forensic scientists to assist in the identification of individuals or samples by their respective DNA profiles.

All DFEi students are provided with an M365 account, which gives them access to the tools and resources needed to deliver assessment work while attending their course. M365 Apps include Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, and OneDrive.

Work Experience:
Students will be required to undertake a period of work placement in an organisation connected to their vocational area during the academic year. Work Experience is mandatory for all of our full-time Level 5 courses. Students are required to source their own work placement but will be assisted in this by the work experience teacher. The work placement is usually for a period of 10 days or a minimum of 60 hours. Students usually find the work experience element of the course to be invaluable and should bear in mind that a successful work placement can sometimes lead to further opportunities.

Additional Information:
Assessment:
Assessment techniques will be used to assess the knowledge and skills that students will have achieved on successful completion of modules:

Student Record
Portfolio/Collection of Work
Assignments
Examination – Written or Practical
Project

A full major award is granted on passing the relevant eight components. On successful completion of each component, you will be awarded a pass, a merit or a distinction grade. See www.qqi.ie for more details

Progression Opportunities:

Graduates are eligible to apply through the CAO and/or the Higher Education Links Scheme for entry to year one of a range of higher certificate and degree programmes, at Universities, Institutes of Technology and Technological Universities using their full QQI Level 5 major award. Places are not guaranteed in these Institutes and are subject to students meeting certain criteria. It is the students’ responsibility to consult with the relevant HEI for information on the admissions process and any specific entry requirements. Students may also refer to the individual HEI prospectus or may also refer to the QQI FET section of the CAO website. www.cao.ie

There are progression options in a wide range of areas including food science, general science, agricultural science, sports science, culinary arts, applied science in nutrition and many other related areas. Examples are shown below. However, a full list of programmes to choose from will be given to all students at induction in September.

Students from this course may also progress onto a number of apprenticeships for example Laboratory Technician or Laboratory Analyst that are now available in Ireland.

Graduates can progress to work in companies such as Kerry Group, Glanbia, All in All Ingredients, Ornua.

Students from this course may also progress onto a number of apprenticeships for example Laboratory Technician that are now available in Ireland.

Progression Examples:
BSc in Food Science (DN261)

Bachelor of Science (DN200)

BSc Agricultural Science (DN250)

BAgrSc in Dairy Business (DN252)

BSc Sustainability with Environmental Science (DN240)

BSc Agri-Environmental Sciences (DN253)

University College Dublin – www.ucd.ie

BSc Biological and Biomedical Sciences (TR060)

BSc Chemical Sciences (TR061)

BSc Physical Sciences (TR063)

BSc Geography and Geoscience (TR062)

Bachelor of Dental Technology (TR803)

Trinity College Dublin – www.tcd.ie

Bachelor of Applied Science (Nutrition, Food and
Business Management) (AS051)

St Angels’s College Sligo – www.nuigalway.ie

BSc Analytical Science (DC161)

BSc Environmental Science and Technology (DC166)

BSc Biological Sciences (DC180)

BSc Science Education (DC203)

BSc Biotechnology (DC181)

Dublin City University – www.dcu.ie

Bachelor of Science (GY301)

BSc Biomedical Science (GY303)

BSc Biotechnology (GY304)

BSc Environmental Science (GY308)

BSc Marine Science (GY310)

BSc Environmental Health and Safety (GY313)

Galway University – www.nuigalway.ie

Bachelor of Science (MH201)

BSc Biotechnology (MH202)

BSc Biological and Biomedical Science (MH208)

BSc Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Chemistry (MH210)

BSc Computer Science (MH602)

BSc Biological and Geographical Science (MH203)

Maynooth University – www.nuimaynooth.ie

BSc Nutraceuticals in Health and Nutrition (TU882)

Bachelor of Science in Food Innovation (TU881)

BSc Environmental Health (TU869)

BSc Clinical Measurement Science (TU868)

BSc Culinary Science (TU944)

Bachelor of Science (TU854)

BSc Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences (TU762)

BSc Pharmaceutical Healthcare (TU875)

BSc Biosciences (TU751)

BSc DNA and Forensic Analysis (TU752), (TU864)

Technological University Dublin – www.tud.ie

BSc Nutritional Science (CK504)

BSc Public Health Services (CK706)

BSc Medical and Health Sciences (CK707)

University College Cork – www.ucc.ie

Career Paths:
Students should use this course as a stepping stone in order to obtain a high level qualification in the progression areas listed below. Alternatively students may seek immediate employment in a range of companies and projects that seek graduates with a science aptitude. Career opportunities such as food technologists, food scientists, microbiologists, food safety consultants, technicians, food engineers, laboratory assistants and product development managers exist for graduates who complete further or higher education qualifications.