Certificate in Food Science & Technology

Course Outline

The course duration is 9 months. Lectures will be delivered 2 evenings per week online. Students will also be required to attend up to 2 Saturdays a month on campus. Practicals will be in one of our pilot facilities, with dates and times subject to scheduling. (ECTS: 70 Credits)

Module 1: Food Microbiology 

Microbiology in the Food industry, microbiological risks in food processing, contamination control systems and procedures, hygienic practice, and decontamination of work areas.

Module 2: Manufacturing Process Technology 

Structure of the food industry in Ireland, steps involved in the manufacturing of commercial food items, operations and processes involved in food production, and equipment.

Module 3: HACCP - Quality System in Food Manufacturing 

Principles of HACCP and GMP in the food industry, audits and regulatory requirements.

Module 4: Food Regulatory Affairs

Quality Management System, EU regulatory for industrial and retailer standards in the food industry, QC testing, Food Hygiene Standards, non-conformance.

Module 5: Process Improvement

Lean Thinking, Six Sigma, Process Mapping, data collection, validation and root cause analysis, CAPA

Module 6: Occupational Safety & Environmental Safety for the Food Industry 

Responsibilities and roles under international legal frameworks, safety statements and steps in the preparation, types of hazards, waste materials and contaminants.

Module 7: Applied Maths for Food Science 

Calculation of concentration and dilutions, accuracy and precision, probability, statistical data

Module 8: Fundamentals of Science

Calculation and conversion, functional groups and molecular structures, physical and chemical measurements, routes of drug absorption, mechanisms of metabolism and excretion.

Module 9: Preparation for Work

Personal career development, networking, CV preparation and interview skills.

Module 10: Learning to Learn

Personal Strengths and weaknesses as a learner, set specific learning goals and create a personal learning plan; Study effectively as an independent learner and work collaboratively as a member of a team; Manage time efficiently with regard to planning and organising learning tasks; Use critical thinking and analytical skills to solve a variety of problems; Write a research-based report and make an effective presentation; the importance of academic integrity and identify ways of avoiding plagiarism in academic work through appropriate referencing.

Entry Requirements

This course is suitable for those with a minimum qualification at NFQ Level 5 or a Leaving Certificate. Mature applicants and returners are also eligible. All applicants must have competency in spoken and written English.

Career Options

With the continued growth of the Food Industry in Ireland, this course is suitable for those who wish to upskill to gain either:

• An entry-level position within the Food Industry
• Supplement existing core skills to pursue a similar role within the Food Industry (e.g. Finance, HR, IT etc.)

On completion of this course, you could fill the following roles within the Food and Beverage industry: 

• Quality Control
• Manufacturing Operator/Technician
• Maintenance Technician
• Utilities Technician
• Regulatory Affairs Administrator
• Supply Chain Support
• Warehouse Operator
• Stock Control
• Planning and Logistics Administrator

Innopharma Education courses are designed with your career advancement in mind. Specifically designed for those looking for a career in the Pharma, MedTech or Food Science sectors, our courses upskill and equip people from diverse backgrounds with the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully secure promising career opportunities in these fast-growing industries.

Apply Now

Our admissions team are on hand to assist you with your application and answer any questions you may have on the course.

Students who wish to apply to this course should follow the following application process.

Step 1: Enquire through the form at the top right of this page

Step 2: A member of our team will be in contact through phone or email

Step 3: If you are deemed to be eligible for the course, you will be sent an application form by email. You MUST fill in this application form and attach all necessary *documents (CV, ID, Transcripts, etc.)

Step 4: On submission of the completed application form and all documentation, your application will be sent to the associated department for final approval. You will receive an e-mail confirming your place on the programme. (Note: This process can take up to one week particularly during busy admission periods.)

*We accept scanned documents in a pdf format. Pictures of documents are not accepted.

**For those who are applying for Springboard or HCI funding, you will be directed to fill out an additional application form on the Springboard website, this is to confirm your eligibility to receive  funding

Please note at any time if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us by email on admissions@innopharmalabs.com or call us (01) 485 334