Food Science Research

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, 2020
    Experience start
  • October 12, 2020
    Initial meeting
  • October 22, 2020
    Proposal Draft Presentation
  • November 22, 2020
    Proposal Report
  • December 16, 2020
    Results presentations
  • April 14, 2021
    Final results report
  • January 1, 2021
    Experience end
Experience
2/2 project matches
Dates set by experience
Preferred companies
Canada
Any
Food & beverage, Consumer goods & services, Science, Liquor, wine & spirits
Categories
Product or service launch
Skills
presentation skills data analysis communication research skills professionalism
Student goals and capabilities

Students will spend over 100 hours on research to solve a specific objective set out by the food, supplement, or drink producer.

Students
Undergraduate
Any level
25 students
Project
100 hours per student
Students self-assign
Teams of 3
Expected outcomes and deliverables
  • Proposal report
  • Bi-weekly update reports
  • Two oral presentations
  • Final results report
Project timeline
  • September 9, 2020
    Experience start
  • October 12, 2020
    Initial meeting
  • October 22, 2020
    Proposal Draft Presentation
  • November 22, 2020
    Proposal Report
  • December 16, 2020
    Results presentations
  • April 14, 2021
    Final results report
  • January 1, 2021
    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, and analyze data all the while being supported with expertise from faculty supervisors and the research facilities of the school.

This project will run over one semesters:

  • In the first part of the semester, 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 part, students will conduct analysis and research leading to a final written report and oral presentation of their results.

Past examples have included:

  • Researching 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
  • Researching starch gelatinization affects on the staling of bread
  • Researching 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:

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

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

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.