Food Quality and Safety (MSc)

The food industry is a highly complex environment. Food products contain a wide range of ingredients and are produced, traded and processed on a global scale. Quality assurance and enhancement must address this complexity, as must the legal framework and technical innovations. At the same time, nutrition plays a central role in human health and well-being. Safe, high-quality food is essential for preventing diet-related diseases, supporting healthy development and ensuring a high quality of life in the long term. The "Food Quality and Safety" Master's degree course at the University of Bayreuth is unique in Germany. It addresses some of the greatest challenges of the 21st century, such as the sustainable production and distribution of high-quality, healthy food; feeding a steadily growing world population; prevention of diet-related diseases and optimising and developing supply chains. Complex problems require interdisciplinary solutions. This programme provides you with the scientific, legal and economic expertise to tackle food-related issues holistically, making the interdisciplinary scope of the programme key to equipping you with the necessary skills. You will learn to evaluate food not only in terms of compliance and safety, but also in terms of its impact on health outcomes and its contribution to human well-being. During this two-year Master's programme, you will be introduced to various problems and work on concrete case studies and current research projects. You will acquire skills in the following areas: Biology and Biochemistry of Food, Food Chemistry, Food Microbiology, Human Biology, Data Science / Statistics, Food Law, Trade Law, Safety and Risk Management Law, Quality Management, Food Supply Chain Management, and Science Communication. The Master's programme in "Food Quality and Safety" (MSc) takes four semesters (full-time) and comprises 120 ECTS credits. In each semester, 30 ECTS credits are earned. The programme is structured in modules. The subject-oriented modules in the field of Biology and Biochemistry of Food, Human Biology, Food Chemistry, Data Science/ Statistics, Law, Management and Science Communication will provide you with fundamental technical and methodological skills. Furthermore, the possibility to study in an interdisciplinary and intercultural setting as well as the successful completion of case studies and the mandatory internship will strengthen your communication and professional skills. The study programme takes place at the newly-founded Faculty of Life Sciences: Food, Nutrition and Health in Kulmbach (around 25 km away from the main campus of the University of Bayreuth). Kulmbach is not only home to some globally recognised companies, but also to the Max Rubner Institute, the Bavarian Control Authority for Food Safety and Veterinary Medicine, KErn (Competence Centre for Nutrition), the State Technical College for Food Technology and the Kulmbach Clinical Centre. All of these are involved in various research projects and teaching at the faculty. Students benefit from the practice-oriented courses as well as the close cooperation with companies in the food industry enabling them to network and often discover exciting career prospects. Be part of it and apply for the Master's programme! We are looking forward to welcoming you to Kulmbach. Get a deeper understanding of the Faculty of Life Sciences upfront by enrolling in the University of Bayreuth’s Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) "Conscious Grocery Shopping: Sustainability, Nutrition, Health and Law". The free audit track is a great way to get to know the lecturers and the research at the University of Bayreuth. On top of that, you can earn a certificate after passing an exam (paid verified track). PDF Download