FOOD SC 7033WT - Sensory and Flavour Science

Waite Campus - Semester 1 - 2024

This course will explore how sensory and flavour science guides the development and commercial strategy within the food industry. Sensory and flavour science plays a critical role steering decisions through the food product development process, in food formulation, in quality control of food products, and in the innovation and development of healthier food products. The course will examine how food scientists can use method in food formulation to optimise the sensory properties of food, and provide an in-depth study of flavour generation by biochemical and chemical means, how flavour is delivered to the senses and perceived by humans, and how flavour can be analysed both with instruments or through sensory panels.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code FOOD SC 7033WT
    Course Sensory and Flavour Science
    Coordinating Unit Food Science
    Term Semester 1
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s Waite Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 6 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Matthew Wilson

    Room 205, Plant Genomics Centre, Waite Campus
    matthew.wilson@adelaide.edu.au

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
    1) Understand human and instrumental methods to evaluate the sensory properties of foods
    2) Evaluate how food chemistry influences the flavour of foods
    3) Analyse the effects of food quality on safety, nutrition, sustainability and shelf-life


    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1-3

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    2-3

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    1-3

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    3

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    3

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    1, 3

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    1-3
  • Learning Resources
    Online Learning
    Students will need to regularly access the MyUni course site for:
    1. Course announcements. 
    2. Copies of the lecture slides. These will be uploaded onto the course MyUni site prior to each lecture. 
    3. Lecture recordings.
    4. Copies of assignments and assessment information

    MyUni can be accessed via http://myuni.adelaide.edu.au/

  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Lectures are used to deliver content relevant to the knowledge-related outcomes and practical activities are used to enable students to achieve the skill-related outcomes, and tutorials are used to consider both lecture and practical content in more depth. Lectures also include open discussion, sample problems and demonstrations.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    A student enrolled in a 3 unit course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 12 hours per week on the studies required.
    This includes both the formal contact time required to the course (e.g., lectures, practicals and tutorials), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading and revision).
    Learning Activities Summary
    Learning activities are centred around how sensory science is used in industry, and how this is influenced by food chemistry concepts.

    This course will cover the following topics in lectures, tutorials and practicals:
    • Introduction
    • Human and instrumental methods
    • Descriptive analysis
    • Tastes and their importance
    • Aroma, texture, sound and visual appeal
    • Flavour chemistry 
    • Processing, and how it changes foods 
    • Synthetic compounds, new trends in food science
    • Food preservation and preservatives
    • Food safety and quality
    • Consistency and assurance in food production
    • Sustainable food production




  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Task Type Weighting Hurdle Learning Outcome Due
    Quizzes Formative and Summative 20% (4x5%) No 1,2,3 Weeks 3,6,8 and 11
    Lab Report Formative and Summative 20% No 1,2 Week 4
    Essay Formative and Summative 30% No 1,2,3 Week 10
    Group Presentation Formative and Summative 25% No 1,2,3 Week 12
    Reflection Summative 5% No 1,2,3 Week 12
    Assessment Detail
    Online Quizzes x 4 (5% each, total of 20%) Due Week 3,6,8,11
    Students will complete a total of 4 online quizzes during semester (worth 5% each). Quizzes will consist of multiple choice and short answer questions and relate to previous practicals and the relevant theory covered in the lectures. Students receive feedback and mark within two weeks of the quiz closing.

    Lab Report (20%) Due Week 4
    Students will write up the results of practical sessions and place them in he wider context of sensory evaluation. Students receive feedback within 3 weeks of the written assignment deadline.

    Essay (30%) Due Week 10
    Students will answer a question in the form of an essay, using extensive referencing to support your arguments. Essay length will be 2000 words (+/- 10%). Students receive feedback within 3 weeks of the written assignment deadline.

    Group Pressentation (25%) Due Week 12
    Groups of 2-3 will present an in-class presentation on a chosen topic related to a topic on sensory or flavour science. Presentations will last 15 minutes.

    Reflection (5%) Due Week 12
    Students will individually provide feedback on another groups presentation as observed during the in-class presentations. A template will be provided for students to complete.
    Submission
    If an extension is not applied for, or not granted then a penalty for late submission will apply. A penalty of 10% of the value of the assignment for each calendar day that the assignment is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks will be applied. This means that an assignment that is 5 days late or more without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the marks available for that assignment.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.