Surrey has a great reputation for food science, and I loved the breadth of the programme. I discovered subjects I never thought I’d enjoy such as microbiology, physiology and pathology. I was able to build up a big picture on food: the influences on food and how food impacts the population.
The recommendation ‘Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food’ was made by Hippocrates in 400 BCE. Today, we know that this holds true, as food science has revealed that many foods contain natural components that can prevent or delay many of the illnesses that lead to premature death. There is an important association between microbes and food. Some microbes are essential for the production of food and beverages, whereas others can destroy crops and cause disease by contaminating the food chain. On this degree programme, you will learn how beneficial microbes can be used in food production, and how harmful ones can be prevented from causing damage and disease.
Food science is the hidden science behind many of the foods you buy in supermarkets every day. It is a multidisciplinary subject involving the application of sciences such as chemistry and biology to the study of food. Studying a broad-based curriculum, you will gain an understanding of the raw materials that will become food, how these interact, and how food science can have dramatic implications for human health.
Our reliance on a supply of safe food, together with the economic problems that arise from crop damage and food spoilage, mean that graduates from this programme are in high demand by the food and beverage industries. The combination of modules covering microbiology, food composition, food analysis and quality assurance provided by this degree programme equip you for such a career.
The modular structure of our programmes allows the study of a broad base of topics during the first two years of the degree. More specialised topics are studied in the final year, together with the completion of a research project that will give you the opportunity to explore a research area you are especially interested in and develop lab-based skills and experience in that area. Together with the Professional Training placement year, this means that our graduates are well-rounded, knowledgeable and eminently employable.
In Year 1, you will study a broad range of microbiology and biotechnology topics to allow you to develop a strong foundation of knowledge in the subject. Laboratory practical sessions will complement your study of theoretical modules in topics such as medical microbiology, cell biology and molecular biology. You will also study some biochemistry, in order to refine your understanding of biochemical aspects of microbiology.
Modules include:
During Year 2, you will study aspects of microbiology and biotechnology in greater depth, and will apply basic theories to more complex scenarios and scientific phenomena. Specifically, areas such as cellular microbiology, immunology and virology are explored. A specific focus of your studies in Year 2 is preparation for your Professional Training placement year.
Modules include:
We strongly encourage you to take a salaried placement in the UK or overseas with an industrial leader such as Unilever, Nestlé, GlaxoSmithKline, the Food Standards Agency, and Mars Confectionery. We place great emphasis on organising a successful, research-based placement, allowing you to extend and enhance your practical abilities and sharpen your professional skills. Employers may sponsor the final year of your study, and many offer our students employment on graduation.
In Year 3, the core taught modules you will study vary, depending on your specialist pathway, and include topics such as advanced immunology, molecular biology, systems biology and medical biochemistry. The largest single component of the year is the research project (equivalent to two modules), carried out under the supervision of a member of academic staff. For their research project, students have recently chosen to investigate the molecular biology of Campylobacter and associated food-poisoning mechanisms, the effect of water on microbial growth in food, microbes used in probiotic yogurts, bacteria in meat and microbial contaminants of baby milk formula.
Modules include:
Our Food Science and Microbiology graduates now qualify for membership of the Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST) after gaining suitable postgraduate experience.
In the third year, you will have the option of a salaried placement with an industrial leader in the UK or overseas. We place great emphasis on organising a successful placement for you that will involve a high level of personal responsibility. To help ensure that you have a successful experience, you will be visited by a tutor on average three times during the year.
The placements are research-based, allowing you to extend and enhance your practical abilities and sharpen your leadership, communication and teamwork skills. All this enables you to relate your knowledge to the solution of real problems. In the competitive world of graduate employment, companies are more likely to consider applicants who have previous professional experience.
Employers may sponsor the final year of your study and many offer our students employment on graduation.
Our placements can be international or UK-based and are with many of the leading food companies and agencies, including Waitrose, United Biscuits, Unilever, Nestle, Nutricia, Yakult, GlaxoSmithKline, the Food Standards Agency, Abbott Nutrition, Mars Confectionery, Sainsbury’s and Dairy Crest.
We offer a modular degree based on a structured programme of advanced study, which allows you to pursue the subjects essential to your particular degree, but at the same time offers you the flexibility to study other subjects of interest. During your first year, almost a third of your time is spent in laboratory classes.
In your second year, the study becomes more specialised and you will focus on many different aspects of the subject. In your final year, you will be performing your own scientific research project, usually in one of our research laboratories. Throughout your degree, we provide support to some of the core modules in an electronic format, to complement the excellent facilities offered by the Library & Learning Centre.
All modules are assessed individually and credits are awarded for the successful completion of each one. Assessment takes place through a combination of examination and/or coursework, practical examinations and practical reports as appropriate. Credits are accumulated towards the award of Bachelor of Science (BSc) with honours.
On average you will have approximately 24 hours of contact time each week (lectures, practical classes and tutorials), and you will also be expected to undertake private study, such as laboratory write-ups, essays and other coursework, for a similar amount of time.
Our degree programmes are enhanced through the use of cutting-edge laboratory facilities. Our commitment to the development of your practical skills means that you will use equipment allowing you to analyse the genetic make-up of different types of microbes, and specialist computer software enabling the modelling of microbiological systems and metabolic pathways.
For your research project in Year 3, you will work within our research laboratories alongside active researchers, and will have the opportunity to contribute to established research projects being undertaken by the Department.
University of Surrey Microbiology and Biotechnology graduates are employed in academic and industrial research laboratories throughout the world. Take a look at league tables both for the University overall and related to this subject area and you will see our track record of being amongst the top UK universities for graduate employment.
The majority of our graduates go immediately into the job market and many others choose further study such as MSc degrees and PhD studentships. The many transferable skills that you will gain during your studies ensure that you will be a suitable candidate for a wide variety of science careers, whether you want to be a laboratory-based research scientist or a science journalist.
Graduates of the Medical Microbiology programme have also gone on to study medicine.
Graduates over the last few years have entered employment in roles such as:
You will be allocated a personal tutor during your first week at the University and will normally keep this tutor throughout the degree programme. They will provide advice to you on personal and academic matters, including reviewing your progress on the programme, advising on module, placement and career options and providing information about wider support services at the University.
Come to one of our Open Days, when you can tour the campus, speak to students and academic staff, see our student accommodation and ask as many questions as you like. In the meantime, order a personal prospectus – tailored to only include the subjects that interest you.
GCSE English Language and Mathematics at grade C or above (or equivalent).
Two science A-levels, one of which should be Biology.
Offers are normally made in terms of grades. Suitable candidates may be invited to an Applicant Day. During the visit to the University the candidate can find out more about the programme and meet staff and students.
Non-native speakers of English will normally be required to have IELTS 6.5 or above, with a minimum of 6.0 in each sub-skill (or equivalent).
We offer intensive English language pre-sessional courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
| Award | Course Length | Professional Training | UCAS code | KIS code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BSc (Hons) | 3 years | CD56 | View KIS data set | |
| BSc (Hons) | 4 years | CD56 | View KIS data set |
We offer a range of bursaries, scholarships and other financial support.
See course information for students applying to start in September 2013.
Phone: +44 (0)1483 681 681
