Food Science and Nutrition PG Courses

PG Programme

Name of the programme M.Sc. (Community Science) Food Science and Nutrition / M.Sc. (H.Sc.) in Foods and Nutrition
Year of start 1981
Vision and Mission

To address research areas of priority in the Food Science and Nutrition discipline and to keep in tune with the latest developments in the areas of food processing technologies and nutritional science.

Objectives

i.  To impart advanced education to students to achieve academic excellence for higher education and research in the chosen field of study at National and International level.

ii. To synergise a new generation of post graduates with professional competence to face the challenges of the food processing sector.

iii. To provide advanced knowledge and skills in highly job-oriented courses in the areas of Food Processing, Quality Control, Food Safety, and Nutritional Sciences.

iv. To impart knowledge and skills necessary to work in R&D laboratories, food industries, health sectors and at the community level.

Programme :

M.Sc. (Community Science) in Food and Nutrition

Prelude about M.Sc. (Community Science) in Food and Nutrition

The Post Graduate degree programmes in Food and Nutrition will provide for purpose-driven education, research and outreach in terms of developing competency among the graduates to face the challenges of the competitive food processing sector. The present food market demand drivers include the need to supply both globally and locally adequate quantities of safe, healthy and diversified food from production to consumption, which calls for skilled, knowledgeable and practice-ready food scientists. The fast paced growth of the food processing sector throws immense challenges in terms of nutrition, health and wellbeing of the increasing population groups who demand for novel foods in terms of quality, shelf life and functionality. Towards this end, competency in food and nutrition at the post graduate level is an important contributor to building the capacity of individuals to think and act effectively when developing and implementing strategies for combating malnutrition and other degenerative diseases.

Why this programme?

  • As part of the State Agricultural University, which works towards achieving food security for the state and nation at large, the post graduate programme in food and nutrition holds utmost relevance in developing appropriate post harvest techniques in food processing and value addition, reducing food loss and wastage, food safety assurance and contribute towards enhancing and sustaining food security measures.
  • Further, nutrition concentration adds knowledge and value to food matrices which optimise towards maximising nutrient bioavailability, contribute health promoting functional food ingredients, healthy food choices, nutrition education etc., which would address the vulnerabilities in achieving nutrition security.
  • Our graduates are also trained to understand nutritional problems in diverse contexts which impede comprehensive nutrition and health security, by understanding the complexities of the dual burden of malnutrition namely under and over nutrition and the associated health complications, which can be ably supported by personalised nutrition and counselling.
  • The present concerns of communicable diseases like Covid-19, placing stress on the nutrition and health of all age groups and the vulnerable sections of the population in particular, the community can most benefit from the expertise in the domain of food and nutrition programme, where the importance of optimum nutrition has become household like never before.
  • The curricula has been designed to develop the knowhow and skills among the graduates to operate sophisticated analytical equipments, work in renowned laboratories within the country and globally, carry out new food product development strategies, conducts food quality and safety analysis, shelf life testing, improve commercialisation prospects etc.,
  • The programme encourages gaining essential transferable skills including independent thinking; planning and problem solving; observation and analysis; and towards dissemination and communication of information in community development programmes.

Study Programme of Food and Nutrition

The Masters in Food and Nutrition has been designed based on the ICAR – BSMA guidelines. The course in Food and Nutrition provides comprehensive theoretical and practical skills required to carry out independent research in the discipline of food science and nutritional studies. The course aims towards

  • Providing theoretical and practical exposure in recent advances in the food and nutrition discipline with regard to food composition, food quality and safety, nutrient interactions, metabolic interactions, food toxicology, advanced understanding of energy expenditure, energy balance, sports nutrition, public health nutrition etc.,

More details on the list of courses and research work experience to be gained is listed here.

PG Courses Offered

SI. No.

Course No. Course Title

Credit Hours

1. FSN 501* Macro and Micro Nutrients in Human Nutrition 3+0
2. FSN 502* Public Health and Nutrition 2+1
3. FSN 503* Techniques in Food Analysis 1+2
4. FSN 504* Diet Therapy 2+1
5. FSN 505 Nutrition and Physical Fitness 2+1
6. FSN 506 Developments in Nutrition and Immunity 2+0
7. FSN 507 Clinical Nutrition 2+1
8. FSN 508 Nutrition Counselling 0+2
9. FSN 509 Food Safety and Standards 2+1
10. FSN 510 Nutritional Challenges in Life Cycle 2+0
11. FSN 511 Food Science 2+1
12. FSN 512 Food Processing Technology 2+1
13. FSN 513 Human Physiology 3+0
14. FSN 514 Institutional Food Service Management 1+1
15. FSN 515 Grain Processing Technology 2+1
16. AGM 505 Food Microbiology 2+1
17. BIC 502 Nutritional Biochemistry 2+1
18. FSN 591 Master’s Seminar 0+1
19. FSN599 Master’s Thesis Research 0+30

Colleges offering M.Sc. (Community Science) in Food and Nutrition

The master programme in M.Sc. (Community Science) in Food and Nutrition is offered by the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Community Science College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Madurai  – 625 104, Tamil Nadu

Application and Admission

For those students who are interested in taking part in the M.Sc. (Community Science) in Food and Nutrition degree programme, details on the specific Admission requirements and the application procedures are available at University website.

Future Career

In recent times, Food Science and Nutrition is an emerging developing field, where food insecurities are mounting both within the country and globally leading to increasing prevalence of protein energy malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies and non communicable diseases. As a result, the demand for professionals in this field is ever increasing. Hence, specialized candidates in this field can find employment opportunities in diverse sectors which cater to food and nutrition.

 

Want to know about the job opportunities after completing the Masters programme in Food and Nutrition Course. See where our alumni are placed

Provide student placement

Sl. No.

Name Name of the organisation / institution where you are currently working? Place of working

Designation

1. S.Ruth vennila Department of Integrated Child Development Scheme Taramani, Chennai Deputy Director, Training
2. H.Geetha Department of Integrated Child Development Scheme Udhagamandalam Child Development Project Officer
3. Dr R Kumar Defence Food Research Laboratory Mysore Associate Director
4. Gomathi  Department of Integrated Child Development Scheme, Vellore Vellore District Programme Officer
5. A.Krishnaveni Department of School Education Salem PG Teacher
6. R.Kalai Annamalai University Chidambaram Lecturer In Nutrition
7. N.Laxmipriyadharshini SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre Kattankulathur, Chennai Chief dietician and HOD
8. Karthigai Selvi BGS Gleneagles Global Hospitals, Kengeri, Bangalore-560060 Bangalore Chief Dietician
9. Jeyanthi Cable network Palani Head
10. D. Bhuvaneswari Jamal Mohamed College (AUTONOMOUS) Trichy Assistant Professor
11. M.J.Latha Vernon Area Public Library Lincolnshire Library Associate
12. Shiamala M Department of Integrated Child Development Scheme Sivagangai District Child Development Project Officer
13. Bairavi.K Department of Integrated Child Development Scheme Madurai Child Development Project Officer
14. A.Rathidevi Department of Integrated Child Development Scheme Kottampatti,Madurai Child Development Project Officer
15. P.Gomathi ICAR KVK COIMBATORE Coimbatore SMS Home Science
16. K.Amutha Annai Institute Usilampatti Managing  Director
17. D. J. Veeramani Annamalai University Annamalai Nagar Assistant professor
18. R. Sakthi Subashini Department of Social Welfare Govt of Tamilnadu Thiruppathur Child Development Project Officer No
19. Nagajothi. R Judicial District court, Madurai Junior assistant
20. Dr.Sugasini Dhavamani University of Illinois at Chicago, USA Chicago,Illinois,USA Assistant Professor
21. P. Vidhya Lakshmi Department of Integrated Child Development Scheme Thiruchenkodu Child Development Project Officer
22. S. A. Shanmugam Govt. Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College Hospital Salem Dietician
23. S. Lakshmi Bharathi District TB Centre Madurai and Usilampatti District Public-Private Mix Coordinator
24. B.Pallavi Tamil Nadu State Government Employee. Thanjavur Assistant
25. P.Meenatchisundaram Mahesh Value Products P Ltd Manalur, Sivagangai Quality Manager
26. Shanmuga priya Social welfare department Sankarankovil Child Development Project Officer
27. S Logeswari Dhan Instituition Madurai Teaching assistant
28. Dr. B. Sundharalingam., Ph.D. Panjab Agricultural University Panjab Dean for Sports
29. Keerthivasan A Innovative Foods Chocin Quality Assurance Manager
30. Jixy Josheela GEMS English School Sikaria, Rhotas, Bihar Teacher
31. Balmurugan M Sethubaskara College of Agriculture and Technology Karaikudi Assistant Professor
32. S.Thirukkumar Amirtha Institute of Technology Coimbatore Assistant Professor
33. Keerthana PM Thanthai Roever Institute of Agricultural and Rural Development Perambalur. Assistant Professor
34. RANJITHAM A JSA College of Agriculture and Technology (Affiliated to Tamil Nadu Agricultural University) Ma. Podaiyur, Thittagudi Taluk, Cuddalore District – 606 108. Assistant Professor (FS&N)
35. Renganathan .R ICAR – National Research Centre for Banana Trichy Senior Research Fellow
36. K. Shunmugapriya, .. Department of Integrated Child Development Scheme Thiruchenkodu Child Development Project Officer
37. R.Surya Agricultural College and Research Institute, Killikulam Killikulam Senior Research Fellow
38. Kokila vani.s Adiyamaan College of Agricultural and Research Krishnagiri Assistant Professor
39. T. Gobinath NABARD – Madurai Agriculture Business Incubation Forum Madurai Deputy Manager
40. G VIDHYA Aravindhar Agricultural Institute of Technology Thiruvanamalai Assistant Professor
41. M.S.Kousalya Ganga Hospital Coimbatore Dietitian
42. Farhat Sultana B Department of Integrated Child Development Scheme Madurai Child Development Project Officer
43. Sarojinibharathi R Arulanandar College of Arts and Science Madurai Assistant Professor
44. P.Vijayarani ICDS Project 4, Madurai Madurai Child Development Project Officer

Master’s in Food and Nutrition course

Master Courses

After admission, the students undergo a set of courses (Major, Minor, supporting and Non-Credit Compulsory Courses) that help them to understand the advances in the field of Food Science and Nutrition. The study programmes based on Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) with a total credit load of 70 credits, of which 30 credits are exclusively earmarked for Thesis Research.

Master’s thesis research

After completing the courses in the first year, the students start their thesis research. Each student is assigned to an experienced faculty, approved by the Dean of School of Post-Graduate Studies, who would guide the student on his/ her choice of research topic

Research internship

The students are encouraged to participate and present their in scientific events like symposia and conferences. Als, students are motivated for internship training at other institutes either in India or abroad.

Online courses

As per the ICAR guidelines maximum of 20% credits per semester may be allotted for online courses. The Master’s students may registered Online courses / Massive Online Open Courses (MOOC) related to Food and Nutrition offered by MHRD, GOI through SWAYAM – NPTEL project / ICAR institutes such as NIPHM, MANAGE, NAARM and other reputable National and International institutions.

Student Experiences (provide details for 2 students compulsory)

The course in M.Sc. (Community Science) in Food and Nutrition provides all the learning skills required for research in food processing and preservation with maximum retention nutrients in food and nutrient bioavailability. This degree covers important subjects including Advances in Macro and Micronutrients, Nutritional Status Assessment, Food Preservation Technology, Food Microbiology, Food Science, Nutrition and Diet in Diseases, Nutrition for Physical Fitness, Nutrition in Weight Management, Diet management for various metabolic disorders and the like. The course curriculum offers wide scope for industry application and opportunities for developing relevant skills for career in Food and Nutrition including medicine, sports and fitness, science and research, food processing industries.

Student Alumni sharing experiences about course (one paragraph with photograph)

The course syllabus holds an in-depth coverage of food science, food processing, technology, nutrition and dietetics. The contents covered in each subject has been designed in order to enable scholars avail career opportunities in public and private sectors. In addition, food microbiology, food biochemistry and mathematics courses have been added as supporting courses to facilitate competency for conducting intensive research in food product development and analysis. The course delivery presented clarity and recent technological advances which were taught by competent faculty with the aid of AV aids, demonstrations and hands on experiential learning opportunities so that students have maximum understanding and retention of knowledge. The hands-on practical classes were most helpful for gaining the necessary skills to become a food entrepreneur. Doubts and questions were clearly explained by the course teachers. Students were encouraged to take seminars to improve their presentation skills, become self confident and also to gain in-depth knowledge in the subject. The college environment was pleasant and the Professors were sociable and most supportive in students’ academic activities