Food sciences for innovation and authenticity

If you are looking for a Second Cycle Degree Course that will form you as a highly skilled professional in the food sciences domain, nothing better than a truly international course, fully taught in English and supported by a network of reputed Higher Education Institutions and food companies. With this course you will be able to cope with the emerging challenges of the food system linked to demography, environmental changes, globalization, new science and  technology advances to be able both to innovate and ensure the quality of the Italian and European food excellences. Indeed, the Parma District has a special reputation in the international food system.

The number of food specialties registered as protected designation of origin (PDO), protected geographical indication (PGI) and traditional specialties guaranteed (TSG) produced in the Parma District are among the highest contributor to the Italian export of traditional foods. At the same time, many big players and SMEs of the food industry have corporate headquarters, research & development branches and production plants in the Parma Area.

The Course is offered by tree joint Italian institutions in cooperation with the University College Cork (Ireland) and the Technical University of Munich (Germany).

During the 1st year all lectures and seminars will take place at the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano (Italy).

At the beginning of the 2nd year students will be free to choose one among the five profiles offered by the partner universities (“Applied Engineering and Genetics” offered at UNIBZ; “Food Quality Control and Management” offered at UNIUD; “Nutrition Sciences” offered at UNIPR; “Protein and Lipids in Food System” offered at UCC – 5 positions; Mobility Activity” offered at TUM -16 positions). Courses will be taught during the 1st semester of the 2nd year at the University of Bozen-Bolzano, University of Parma, University of Udine, Technical University of Munich, University College Cork according to the profile chosen.

The 2nd semester of the 2nd year will be fully dedicated to the thesis work, under the joint supervision between Universities and food companies. Thesis projects could be supervised, in cooperation with the participating Universities, by the following partner companies: Unternehmenverband Südtirol – Assoimprenditori Alto Adige Sezione Alimentari, Südtiroler Bauernbund – Unione Agricoltori e Coltivatori Diretti Sudtirolesi, Assolatte, Barilla, Consorzio Gorgonzola, Consorzio Grana Padano, Consorzio Parmigiano Reggiano, Consorzio Prosciutto di S. Daniele, Consorzio Montasio, Despar, Dr. Schär, Forst, Loacker, Mila, Pan, Unione Parmense degli Industriali and Zuegg. The degree qualification is successfully gained after the elaboration and defence of an original thesis work, which can be performed at either University.

Graduate skills will cover a wide range of high-qualified positions in the food industries and above all in:

• Management of food processes through the food supply chain, from production to storage and distribution of products;
• Research and development
• Management of food quality processes
• Design and development of innovative processes and products
• Certification and authentication of processes and products
• Development and use of traditional and innovative methods to guarantee the authentication of traditional/typical processes and products.

Besides these positions in food industries, graduate skills will allow:

• Management in large-scale retail trade
• Research activity in public and private research centers
• Education in institutions, professional bodies and all those fields where the profession is practiced
• Management in public administrations where high educational skills are required. A professional practice exam called “esame di stato” in Italy must be passed to enroll in the Food Technologists professional register.