Objectives and competences
In this master's degree, students will develop the ability to analyse the various processes involved in research, development and innovation activities in the food industry.
There is a need for specialists in research, development and innovation who can develop new ideas, form part of multidisciplinary teams and adapt to the continuous changes taking place in the field of food and nutrition.
There is a need for specialists in research, development and innovation who can develop new ideas, form part of multidisciplinary teams and adapt to the continuous changes taking place in the field of food and nutrition.
In Spain, the agrifood sector accounts for 16% of net sales. Furthermore, sales of some innovative foods are increasing at a much greater rate than conventional foods. An analysis of market prospects and of the potential success of a product demonstrates that it is essential to work simultaneously with an integrated approach in areas as diverse as consumer sciences, marketing techniques, nutrition, health and technology, among others. It has also been found that products with various innovative features are more profitable in the short- and long-term. In addition, it is increasingly important for innovation to integrate a concern for psychosocial considerations, in other words, it is crucial to consider the added value that consumers can immediately appreciate (for example, environmental aspects and ease of use). Therefore, the approach to research, development and innovation in the food industry should be focused on the interaction between all of the factors that influence a consumer's perception and acceptance of a product.
Basic information
| Type | Master's degree |
|---|---|
| Faculty or school | Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Science |
| Branch of knowledge |
|
| Mode of delivery |
|
| Credits | 60 |
| Number of places available | 40 |
| Length of course | 1 academic year |
| Language(s) of instruction | Spanish |
| Approximate price per credit | 27.67 euros per credit (82 euros for students who are not EU nationals and do not currently reside in Spain). Fees for the academic year 2023-2024 |
| Coordination | MA. CRISTINA ANDRES LACUEVA |
| mastersipostgraus.farmacia@ub.edu | |
| Course details | Indicators |
| Open pre-enrolment | No |
| Open enrolment | No |
| Lead to doctoral studies | Yes |
| Admission for applicants not holding a degree qualification | No |
| Bridging courses | Yes |
Objectives and competences
Objectives
The degree syllabus has been created for students who would like to work in R&D&i in the food industry and for those who wish to work in scientific research in universities or technology and research centres.
Competences
- Demonstrate basic knowledge of the selection of ingredients and formulation of food, in order to develop new food products that comply with current regulations, and apply knowledge of experimental design and project management.
- Manage the intellectual and industrial property requirements that could arise in the development of new food products.
- Establish relationships between the components and ingredients in food products and their impact on consumer health.
- Understand the new technology used in the processing, preservation and packaging of food and know how to use this technology to develop innovative or better quality food products.
- Apply their understanding of financial management of corporate production and marketing.
- Identify market trends and opportunities for developing innovative food products.
- Generate ideas for the design of new food products, taking into consideration quality, technology requirements, the legal framework, the potential market demand, profitability and marketing.
Access and admission
Applicant profile and access requirements
Recommended applicant profile
The following official qualifications are required for admission:- Bachelor's degree or equivalent undergraduate degree in food science and technology, pharmacy, veterinary science, biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, environmental science or chemistry.
- EHEA bachelor's degree in human nutrition and dietetics, agricultural engineering or chemical engineering.
- Undergraduate degree in human nutrition and dietetics.
- Degree in agricultural engineering or technical agricultural engineering.
Foreign degree qualifications may be accepted if the Coordination Committee establishes that they are equivalent to the corresponding Spanish degrees.
Access requirements and conditions
General requirementsIn accordance with Article 16 of Royal Decree 1393/29 October 2007, students must hold one of the following qualifications to access university master's degree courses:
- An official Spanish degree.
- A degree issued by a higher education institution within the European Higher Education Area framework that authorizes the holder to access university master's degree courses in the country of issue.
- A qualification from outside the framework of the European Higher Education Area. In this case, the qualification should be recognized as equivalent to an official Spanish degree. If it is not recognized, the University of Barcelona shall verify that it corresponds to a level of education that is equivalent to official Spanish degrees and that it authorizes the holder to access university master's degree courses in the country of issue. Admission shall not, in any case, imply that prior qualifications have been recognized as equivalent to a Spanish master's degree and does not confer recognition for any purposes other than that of admission to the master's degree course.
Specific requirements
Students who do not have the necessary prior training may be required to complete the following bridging subjects before starting the main programme:
- Food Chemistry (3 credits).
- Food Technology (3 credits).
- Hygiene and Food Safety (3 credits).
- Nutrition and Health (3 credits).
These are specific bridging subjects for the master's degree, and are taught in September and October, at the beginning of each academic year.
- Holders of EHEA bachelor's degrees in food science and technology, and human nutrition and dietetics, will not be required to take bridging subjects.
- Holders of pharmacy degrees will have to take all of the bridging subjects except Nutrition and Health.
- In general, students with degrees in veterinary science, biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, environmental sciences, chemistry, chemical engineering and agricultural engineering must take all of the bridging courses, unless they have passed optional or specialized subjects during their standard degree pathway that are equivalent to the bridging courses.
- The Coordination Committee will determine which bridging courses must be taken by each student with a foreign degree qualification, given the diversity in standard degree pathways.
Pre-enrolment
Calendar
- First period: 23 January - 17 February 2023.
Notification of resolutions: 6 - 10 March.
Confirmation: 13 - 20 March. - Second period: 20 February - 17 March 2023.
Notification of resolutions: 11-17 April.
Confirmation: 18 - 24 April. - Third period: 20 March - 11 April 2023.
Notification of resolutions: 24 - 28 April.
Confirmation: 2 - 20 May. - Fourth period: 17 April - 5 May 2023.
Notification of resolutions: 22'26 May .
Confirmation: 29 May - 2 June 2023. - Fith period (if places remain available): July or September 2023.
Notification of resolutions: July or September 2023.
Enrolment: after the notifications of acceptance.
Notes:
- Pre-enrolment fee: A pre-enrolment fee of 30,21 euros is charged. Students who apply to more than one master's degree must pay the fee for each pre-enrolment request. Pre-enrolment requests cannot be processed until this fee has been paid.Fees will only be refunded if the master's degree in question is suspended.
- Reserved places: A maximum of 5% of the new places of the master's degree are reserved for students who meet the general and specific access requirements and accredit the recognition of a degree of disability equal to or greater than 33%.
Required documentation
- Pre-enrolment application
- Copy of degree certificate or equivalent qualification. In case of admission, foreign degrees that require so should be translated and authenticated through diplomatic channels before completing the enrolment.
- Other specific documentation related to the selection criteria
Where to submit the documentation: Secretary's Office for Students and Teaching Staff at the Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences. Documents can be submitted in person or sent by email to secretaria-estudiants-farmacia@ub.edu.
Selection criteria
- Academic transcript (60%): consideration will be given to the grades obtained (40%) and the number of credits taken in subjects related to food and nutrition or in subjects that contribute to the basic training required for admission to this master's degree (20%).
- Students with foreign qualifications must complete the process of Equivalence of academic records of higher studies, to equate the average grade with the Spanish system, they must present the document: "DECLARACIÓN DE EQUIVALENCIA DE LA NOTA MEDIA DEL EXPEDIENTE ACADÉMICO DE ESTUDIOS CURSADOS EN EL EXTRANJERO" (Ministry of Education and Vocational Training).
- Curriculum vitae (30%): credit will be given for experience in the subjects included in the master's degree syllabus.
- Statement of interest, outlining the candidate's reasons for applying (10%).
If considered necessary, the Committee may interview candidates to clarify aspects related to their documentation and their previous training and experience.
Admissions decisions will be announced publicly. All pre-enrolled students will be notified and the decision will be posted on the webpage for the master's degree.
Notification
Enrolment
As a general rule, at the UB you will be required to enrol online. Remember that you can lose your place if you do not enrol on the day you have been assigned
- Documents required for enrolment
- Procedure to formalize enrolment
- Grants and financial aid (in Catalan)
- Economic information (in Catalan)
Course curriculum
Subjects and course plans
Distribution of credits
| Type | ECTS |
|---|---|
| Compulsory | 30 |
| Optional | 10 |
| Compulsory placements | 0 |
| Compulsory final project | 20 |
| TOTAL | 60 |
List of subjects
| Subject | Type | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specialization: BC for admission to the Master's Degree in Food Research, Development and Innovation | |||
| Food Chemistry | Optional | 1st semester | 3 |
| Food Hygiene and Safety | Optional | 1st semester | 3 |
| Food Technology | Optional | 1st semester | 3 |
| Nutrition and Health | Optional | 1st semester | 3 |
Bridging courses
Previous years
Placements
Placements in a company or another type of organization are an integral part of university studies, providing first-hand experience of working methodologies in students' chosen professional fields. They offer invaluable practical experience for the transition into work after graduation.
Placements are supervised by tutors and subject to assessment. They are therefore included in the academic record. There is also an option to complete non-curricular placements of up to 500 hours, which can be extended to 900 hours. For both curricular and non-curricular placements, an educational cooperation agreement is signed between the UB and the company, institution or other organization at which the placement will be carried out.
Institutional information
Career opportunities
What can you work on ?
The main career opportunities are in research and development departments in the agrifood industry. This industry is currently growing faster than other sectors, and should continue to expand in the near future. In Catalonia, there is a high concentration of agriculture and food companies, which explains why it is important for the University of Barcelona to offer training in this field.For students interested in a career in research, the master's degree offers the training needed to become a research professional in the food and nutrition sector and to join research teams in universities or in other centres and institutions.