Studying online

There are now 2 possible online modes for units:

Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.

Click on an offering mode for more details.

View all online units

Unit Overview

Description

This unit focuses primarily on food spoilage, and covers processing methods, spoilage organisms, foodborne diseases, laboratory testing and management strategies. Examples of pathogens studied include Salmonella, E. coli, Hepatitis A, Vibrio vulnificus, Campylobacter and Clostridium botulinum. The concepts of Hazard Analysis, Critical Control Point (HACCP) are introduced. The unit aims to provide students with a solid grounding in the role of micro-organisms as agents of food spoilage, introduce them to microbiological analytical techniques and their application to food, environmental and clinical samples, and educate them on the formulation of management and risk assessment strategies with respect to microbial contamination.

Credit
6 points
Outcomes

Students are able to (1) identify the important pathogens and spoilage micro-organisms in foods and the conditions under which they grow; (2) identify natural toxins in fish, plants, mushrooms and animals; (3) understand the role and significance of environmental factors (water activity, temperature, pH) on micro-organisms in various environments; (4) understand the relationship between mould growth, their potential mycotoxins and human health; (5) understand the principles involving food preservation; (6) utilise laboratory techniques to identify micro-organisms in foods; and (7) identify the conditions, including sanitation practices, under which common pathogens and spoilage micro-organisms are made harmless in foods.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) laboratory reports (30 per cent); (2) assignment/presentation (20 per cent); (3) case study discussion (10 per cent); and (4) two-hour competency-based examination (40 per cent). Further information is available in the unit outline.



Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)
Professor Thomas Riley and Steve Munyard (PathWest)
Unit rules
Prerequisites
enrolment in
the Master of Food Science (53540)
Advisable prior study
an undergraduate degree in a compatible science
or engineering
Approved quota: 30
Contact hours
lectures: 2 hours per week
labs/tutorials: 2 hours per week
Texts

To be advised. 

Supplementary course material, along with class handouts, is provided in class or on the Web.

Suggested
reading

Hocking, A. D., ed. Foodborne Micro-organisms of Public Health Significance, 6th edn: AIFST 2003

Moir, C., ed. Spoilage of Processed Foods: Causes and Diagnosis: AIFST 2001

Web resources

Foodborne Illness, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, has two online handbooks among other food safety sources:

Bad Bug Book: Foodborne Pathogenic Micro-organisms and Natural Toxins Handbook

Bacteriological Analytical Manual Online

  • The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
  • All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
  • Unit readings, including any essential textbooks, are listed in the unit outline for each unit, one week prior the commencement of study. The unit outline will be available via the LMS and the UWA Handbook one week prior the commencement of study. Reading lists and essential textbooks are subject to change each semester. Information on essential textbooks will also be made available on the Essential Textbooks. This website is updated regularly in the lead up to semester so content may change. It is recommended that students purchase essential textbooks for convenience due to the frequency with which they will be required during the unit. A limited number of textbooks will be made available from the Library in print and will also be made available online wherever possible. Essential textbooks can be purchased from the commercial vendors to secure the best deal. The Student Guild can provide assistance on where to purchase books if required. Books can be purchased second hand at the Guild Secondhand bookshop (second floor, Guild Village), which is located on campus.
  • Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.

Face to face

Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.

Online flexible

100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.

Online timetabled

100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.

Online Restricted

Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.

NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.

External

No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.

Off-campus

Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.

Multi-mode

Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.