FDSC30020

Source: https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=MODULE&MODULE=FDSC30020&TERMCODE=202500&ACYR=2026 Parent: https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=COURSE&MAJR=FSS2&AUDIENCE=

Academic Year 2025/2026

Print

Food investigation (FDSC30020)

Subject: : Food Science

College: : Health & Agricultural Sciences

School: : Agriculture & Food Science

Level: : 3 (Degree)

Credits: : 5

Module Coordinator: : Professor Saskia van Ruth

Trimester: : Autumn

Mode of Delivery: : Blended

Internship Module: : No

How will I be graded? : Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module will cover the theoretical background and the applications of food investigation techniques including intelligence analysis methods, root cause analysis methodologies and food product analysis techniques.

About this Module

Open All Close All

What will I learn?

Learning Outcomes:

After successful completion of this course, students are expected to be able to:\ 1. Explain the basic principles underlying the investigation of different classes of non-accidental food issues when using specific intelligence analysis, root cause analysis, and product analysis methodologies.\ 2. Interpret selected data which demonstrate important aspects of qualitative and quantitative analysis.\ 3. Develop food investigation strategies which require a diversity of modern methodologies and which must be often used in combination to achieve the desired result in practical use.\

Indicative Module Content:

The module focuses on the identification and comprehension of food issues using a wide variety of methodologies. The type of methodologies applied can be divided into three key course elements: (A): Intelligence analysis, (B) Root cause analysis and (C) Product analysis.

How will I learn?

Student Effort Hours:

\

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:

Activities involve lectures and group/individual assignments. \ \ Key theoretical lectures are delivered as a mix of on campus and online lectures. Lecture slides will be made available for all lectures for self-study. Relevant scientific papers will be available through Brightspace for the students to familiarise themselves with key concepts ahead of lectures.\ \ Group assignments on (A) Intelligence analysis, (B) Root cause analysis, and (C) Product analysis will be held weekly to reinforce learning and to apply the theoretical concepts delivered in the lectures. Each group will produce a factsheet (Assignment A: Intelligence analysis), a videoreport (Assignment B: Root cause analysis), and a poster with infographic (Assignment C: Product analysis). Finally, in week 12, students will individually conduct a class test on Intelligence analysis, Root cause analysis, and Product analysis.\ \ Attending group assignments and the final class test is mandatory.

Am I eligible to take this module?

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.

\

Module Requisites and Incompatibles

Pre-requisite:\ FDSC20010 - Food Macronutrients, FDSC20020 - Nutritional Energy Metabolism, FDSC20090 - Food Macronutrients\ \ \  \

How will I be assessed?

Assessment Strategy

\

Carry forward of passed components

No

\

What happens if I fail?

Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. \

Assessment feedback

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment\ • Group/class feedback, post-assessment\ • Peer review activities\

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Associated Staff

When is this module offered?

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.

Print this page