Food Science and Nutrition: From the Farm to You
Follow food’s fascinating journey from the farm to your body and explore new food technologies and nutrition around the world.
Duration
2 weeksWeekly study
2 hours
Food Science and Nutrition: From the Farm to You
Discover the science of food and understand the value of nutrition in our diets
On this course, you’ll learn how food science and nutrition helps us to understand and study the fascinating world of food.
You’ll explore the food supply chain and learn how food processing can make food healthier.
You’ll examine how new food technologies are revolutionising food production and how new products are developed.
You’ll also explore how nutritional needs vary in different countries and how policies on nutrition are developed.
Through case studies, you’ll understand the importance of micro and macronutrients and explore what happens to food whilst it’s in your body.
What topics will you cover?
- The opportunities and challenges inherent in the modern food supply chain – from farm to fork.
- The importance of food processing and novel food processing techniques, such as 3D printing.
- How food molecules perform different important functions in your body.
- How new food products are developed and optimised to appeal to the target consumer base.
- The importance of nutrition and the impact of different public health initiatives from around the world.
- The health benefits of certain foods.
- The process of digestion and biochemical pathways of food in the body.
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and learn at your own pace. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
You can take this self-guided course and learn at your own pace. On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Explore the importance of food processing in the journey from farm to fork to understand how crops are converted into nutritious and appealing food items for consumers.
- Evaluate the foundations of nutritional advice provided by governments by applying scientific knowledge about nutrition and considering factors that influence decision-making when it comes to food.
- Analyse the biological pathways of digestion to discover how different nutrients travel and are absorbed by the body.
- Apply New Product Development (NPD) principles to design a new food product that responds to a market need, which can also provide health benefits and appeal to the senses.
Who is the course for?
The course is part of the Going to University collection and completing it can help improve your university application by broadening your understanding of food science and nutrition and developing your independent learning skills.
The course can also be used as a teachers’ classroom enrichment resource.
The material could also be included in biology, chemistry, physics, or engineering classes.
Who will you learn with?
I am a Teaching Fellow in Food Science researching new methods of acoustic characterisation
Who developed the course?
University of Leeds
As one of the UK’s largest research-based universities, the University of Leeds is a member of the prestigious Russell Group and a centre of excellence for teaching.
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps, but you can complete them as quickly or slowly as you like
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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Join this course
Free
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- Access to this course for 4 weeks
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- Access to this course’s tests as well as a print and digital Certificate of Achievement once you’re eligible
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- The flexibility to complete your choice of short courses in your own time within the year
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