Studies in the field of Food Safety are addressed to people who intend to develop their interests concerning the production of food derived from plants and animals. Particular emphasis is placed on appropriate production conditions, food processing, technological processes applied in food production, manners of modifying the composition of food products, enriching such products with additional functional substances .
Within the framework of the course, students obtain knowledge in the field of genetically modified food production, the rules concerning food preservation, preparation, processing, packaging, storage, transport and marketing.
In addition to the science of botany, zoology, anatomy, chemistry and food chemistry, genetics, students become familiarized with the basic aspects concerning plant and animal production, human and animal physiology, plant physiology, microbiology and the genetic grounds of biotechnology. One discusses the following issues in detail: the issues of human and animal nutrition, technology of plant and animal raw materials, food microbiology, food hygiene and toxicology, raw materials of animal origin. The quality and safety management, the basics of food law, storage of raw materials of plant origin and food, water treatment processes, water and food analysis techniques, environmental protection, biology of crops, animal welfare constitute significant aspects to be analyzed.
What can food safety graduates do when it comes to their professional life?
After completing this major, food safety graduates have the opportunity to find employment in sectors of the economy and institutions connected to food quality assessment and sanitary services, scientific and research institutions, administrative units, research laboratories and analytical laboratories. What is more, graduates can be employed in managerial positions in food processing companies, plants dealing with obtaining, storing and distributing food and human nutrition due to the skills in the field of food quality assessment. Knowledge of food related legal provisions and the principles devoted to rational nutrition, nutritional standards enables the food safety graduates to find employment in official food control institutions and in catering establishments of a mass character.
Which areas/industries do food safety graduates work in?
The skills acquired during the studies provide the graduate with ability to apply the basic techniques and analytical methods used today in agricultural and biological sciences in a practical manner. It is aimed at assessing the quality of food and industrial products and to assess the impact of products and technological processes on the environment. What is more, the graduate acquires knowledge concerning the food safety management. Consequently, such a graduate will be able to manage human resources in the food and feed industry and participate in the design and supervision of food quality and safety management systems (maintaining records and provision of control in food production plants). The graduate of this course is a specialist in food safety management which means such an individual can participate in the development and implementation of the assumptions of the integrated product policy.
Substantive competences make it possible to find employment in departments/sectors responsible for quality control and management, operating as a part of economic units, in feed companies, working for veterinary inspectors, sanitary and epidemiological stations, water production plants, in industrial enterprises. What is more, one can be employed in analytical and quality control laboratories and product certification units, official quality control inspections, educational centres, scientific, research and development units, consulting and auditing companies, in research and service laboratories.
Graduates of BA/BSc studies in the field of food safety have the skills to continue education at MA/MSc studies in the fields of zootechnics (Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences - specialization “Food production safety” addressed to the graduates of food safety course), food technology, food safety management and fields of study connected to the aforementioned specializations.
