Food Science Research and Experimentation

FNH 425
Closed
The University of British Columbia (UBC)
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Patricia Hingston
Patricia Hingston She / Her
Assistant Professor of Teaching
3
Timeline
  • September 9, 2019
    Experience start
  • October 22, 2019
    Proposal presentation
  • November 5, 2019
    Proposal report
  • November 12, 2019
    Budget approval
  • March 24, 2020
    Results presentations
  • April 14, 2020
    Final results report
  • April 16, 2020
    Experience end
Experience
5 projects wanted
Dates set by experience
Preferred companies
Canada
Any
Food & beverage, Science, Consumer goods & services, Liquor, wine & spirits
Categories
Product or service launch
Skills
presentation skills data analysis communication research skills professionalism
Learner goals and capabilities

Students will spend over 200 hours on research and experimentation, to solve a specific objective set out by the food, supplement, or drink producer.

Learners
Undergraduate
Any level
25 learners
Project
200 hours per learner
Learners self-assign
Teams of 4
Expected outcomes and deliverables
  • Proposal report
  • Bi-weekly update reports
  • Two oral presentations
  • Final results report
Project timeline
  • September 9, 2019
    Experience start
  • October 22, 2019
    Proposal presentation
  • November 5, 2019
    Proposal report
  • November 12, 2019
    Budget approval
  • March 24, 2020
    Results presentations
  • April 14, 2020
    Final results report
  • April 16, 2020
    Experience end
Project Examples

Students will work in groups of 4 or 5 to develop a research proposal to solve a specific objective set out by the food, supplement, or drink producer. Students develop hypotheses, perform a literature review, devise an experimental plan, and then execute experiments followed by data analyses, all the while being supported with expertise from faculty supervisors and the research facilities of the school.

Prior to starting their experiments, students will develop and submit a budget that has been approved by their industry sponsor.

This project will run over two semesters:

  • In the first semester of the course students will become acquainted with their company and faculty supervisors and submit a proposal report that is accompanied by an oral presentation.
  • During the second semester students will execute their experimental plans leading to a final written report and oral presentation of their results.

Past examples have included:

  • Different pre-treatments of the cacao bean in order to lower the amount of acetic acid (bad for chocolate) to find out which would be the fastest and least expensive
  • Starch gelatinization affects on the staling of bread
  • How fermentation temperature affects a specific grape in order to produce the highest quality of wine
Companies must answer the following questions to submit a match request to this experience:

Be available for a quick phone call with the instructor to initiate your relationship and confirm your scope is an appropriate fit for the course.

Be available to meet with students (phone, skype, or in person) before Sept 20th to become acquainted and to finalize your project objectives.

Pay an invoice at the end of term (April 2020) for consumables (media, plastic, chemicals etc.) used in the project. Equipment and glassware as well as some other items will be provided by UBC.

Respond to student e-mails in a timely manner (ex. within 2-3 days) to avoid delays in the project progress.