Food Science Industry Projects

FNH425
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, 2022
    Experience start
  • September 17, 2022
    Industry Partners Meet with Students
  • October 22, 2022
    Proposal Presentation
  • November 5, 2022
    Proposal Report
  • November 12, 2022
    Budget Approval
  • March 25, 2023
    Results Presentation
  • April 29, 2023
    Experience end
Experience
5 projects wanted
Dates set by experience
Preferred companies
British Columbia, Canada
Multinational, For-profit, Start-up, Family business, Government agency
Agriculture, Government, Food and beverage, Consumer goods and services
Categories
Biotechnology Product or service launch
Skills
writing presentation skills data analysis research scientific literature review
Student 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.

Students
Undergraduate
Any level
25 students
Project
200 hours per student
Students self-assign
Teams of 4
Expected outcomes and deliverables
  • Proposal report containing literature review
  • 20+ page final document containing results and discussion
  • Frequent project updates
  • Two oral presentations that industry partners are welcome to intend
Project timeline
  • September 9, 2022
    Experience start
  • September 17, 2022
    Industry Partners Meet with Students
  • October 22, 2022
    Proposal Presentation
  • November 5, 2022
    Proposal Report
  • November 12, 2022
    Budget Approval
  • March 25, 2023
    Results Presentation
  • April 29, 2023
    Experience end
Project Examples

Students will work in groups of 3 or 4 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 UBC's Food Science research facilities.

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, submit a proposal report that is accompanied by an oral presentation, and complete a budget and order supplies.
  • During the second semester students will execute their experimental plans leading to a final written report and oral presentation of their results.

Past project examples have included:

  • Impact of various natural antioxidants on lipid oxidation in snack bars
  • Effect of cocoa bean roasting time and temperature on polyphenol levels in chocolate
  • Investigation of most effective prebiotics for specific probiotic strains in yogurt
  • Determination of wild yeast strains that produce desirable wine characteristics
Companies must answer the following questions to submit a match request to this experience:

Meet with students (phone, skype, or in-person) preferably on Fri, Sept 16th, 2022 between 1 and 5 pm to become acquainted and to finalize the project’s focus and objectives. It is critical that a meeting be scheduled this week so that students do not fall behind in the course.***

Make an effort to support students by attending their oral presentations and providing feedback.

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

Approve the project’s proposed budget drafted by the students. While the cost of each project differs depending on the scope, most fall around $1000.

Pay an invoice at the end of term (April 2023) for consumables (media, plastic, chemicals etc.) used in the project. Equipment and glassware as well as some other items will be provided by UBC.

Review and sign a UBC Industry Partner Non-Disclosure form.