The MSc Food Quality Management Dear student, The first step before you start your MSc study Food Quality Management (MFQ) is to make a study planning. This document is meant to help you with your study planning. It contains general information on the programme as well as a summary of the requirements for MFQ and the planning of optional courses.

Content:

• Scope of the programme • Study load • Programme outlinea • Appendices:

Appendix 1: Requirements for MSc Food Quality Management 2020-2021 Appendix 2: Planning of optional courses Appendix 3: Planning scheme of MSc Food Quality Management Appendix 4: Academic calendar of Wageningen University 2020-2021

Scope of the programme In the last few decades, food quality management has received increasing attention in agribusiness and food industry. This is, among others, due to various food safety crises in the food supply chain, globalisation of trade, critical consumers, strict food legislation, changes in consumption behaviour, and climate change. Consequently, food quality management has become an integral part of the whole agri-food chain, which requires competent people that are able to deal with the broad variety of ‘food quality management’ issues. These complex multi-causal quality and safety problems require people with interdisciplinary research skills. Therefore, the central pillar in the MSc programme Food Quality Management is the techno-managerial (TM) approach (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Schematic presentation of the Techno-managerial approach

Information on MFQ study planning For students who start in September 2021 On-line MSc Open Day, Wageningen, December 2020

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In problem analysis this approach combines theories from technological sciences (to get insight in behaviour of the food systems) and theories from the management sciences (to get insight in behaviour of human systems). An approach like this gives a broader insight in the possible causes of food quality management problems and issues, and gives a more comprehensive view on adequate solutions. After graduation most of the graduates work as a quality assurance manager (or similar) in the food industry or academia, as a consultant or in a food quality accreditation organisation. Academic year and study load The academic calendar consists of 6 periods from 4-8 weeks (6 or 12 credits per period). In one study year you are assumed to take 60 credits (European Credits or ECTS). Every day there are teaching activities in the morning and in the afternoon. The programme is designed in such a way that an average student spends approximately 40 hours a week on his/her study. This is either as direct contact hours (lectures, practicals), or self-study and assignments. Most courses in the Food Quality Management programme are very intensive, with daily 2-4 hours lectures or practical classes. In addition to this, many courses have case studies, digital learning and other teaching methods. In period 1, 2 and 5 you will follow two courses of 6 credits, one course in the morning and one course in the afternoon. In period 3 and 4 you will follow one whole day course of 6 credits. In period 6 as MFQ student you can attend either one 12-credits-course or two 6-credits-courses (this depends on the MFQ specialization). In Appendix 4 you can find more details about the academic calendar, including the holidays. Please be aware that it is important to attend the first lecture of each course. During the first lecture the course content and structure will be introduced and you will receive a detailed course schedule. Programme outline MFQ has 4 compulsory courses (CS). In addition to that you have to choose 1 course from the restricted optional cluster RO1. In the restricted optional cluster RO1 there are 2 courses: FQD-22306 Food Quality Analysis and Judgement and FQD-31806 Product Properties and Consumer Wishes. You have to choose one of the courses depending on your previous background. If you have a sufficient food science background, choose FQD-31806, in all other cases choose FQD-22306. As food quality management covers the whole food chain, you will specialize yourself in one of the main disciplines of food quality management. For this you choose a specialization based on your previous education and interest.

Appendix 1 describes the general programme requirements, including the overview of the specializations and the course requirements. In all specializations you will have to add compulsory (CS), restricted optional (RO1, RO2) and optional courses (O) to complete your study programme.

The MSc Food Quality Management programme has 4 specializations:

1. Specialization A: Quality Control and Assurance 2. Specialization B: Quality and Food Logistics 3. Specialization C: User-oriented Food Quality 4. Specialization D: Quality Management and Entrepreneurship

Depending on your background you may be eligible for one or more specializations.

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When your background is in: Food Science/Food Technology = Specializations A, B and C are possible. For specialization D it is highly recommended to follow a minor or several courses in management during your BSc. Nutrition, Dietetics, Biology, Veterinary or other natural sciences = Specializations A, B and C are possible. For specialization D it is highly recommended to follow a minor or several courses in management during your BSc. Social sciences = Specializations B, C and D are possible. For specialization A it is highly recommended to follow courses in (food) microbiology and toxicology during your BSc. The MOOC FHM-51302 Basics in Food Safety provides an introduction to these courses. Students holding a different Bachelor degree should discuss their options with us by sending their questions to food.science@wur.nl. In the second year you will do a thesis at Wageningen University of at least 36 credits (approximately 6 months). This will be at the Department Food Quality and Design (FQD) and it will be related to the field of your specialization. For Specialization B: Quality and Food Logistics it is also possible to do a thesis at the Department Operations Research and Logistics (ORL). In addition, you will do an internship of at least 24 credits (approximately 4 months) at a food company or organisation outside Wageningen University.

The thesis and internship will be related to your specialization. The MFQ programme and each department have specific requirements on admission to the thesis and internship. These prerequisite courses are listed in the study handbook for the MFQ programme and for each department.

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Appendix 1: Requirements for MSc Food Quality Management 2021-2022 Abbreviations: BEC= Department Business Economics CPT= Communication Philosophy and Technology CS= Compulsory Subject FHM= Department Food Microbiology FQD= Department Food Quality and Design LAW= Department Law and Governance MCB= Department Marketing and Consumer Behaviour BMO= Department Business Management and Organisation ORL= Department Operations Research and Logistics RO= Restricted Optional Subject YSS= Department Social Sciences More information: More extensive information (e.g. a description of the course content and the study schedule) can be found in the study handbook (https://ssc.wur.nl/Handbook/Programme/MFQ). Note 1: Some courses have a maximum of participants. The deadline for registration is one week earlier than usual. See Academic Year:. https://www.wur.nl/en/Education-Programmes/Current-Students/Agenda-Calendar-Academic-Year.htm -> Registration for Courses 2020-2021. Note 2: The new study handbook for the academic year 2021-2022 is not yet published. Therefore all course links and other links in this document refer to the present study handbook 2020-2021.

Be aware that departments may decide to change courses, course names and course codes for the new academic year. As a programme we are not always updated about these changes especially when the courses are not from the food departments. In the study handbook 2021-2022 all updates will be available.

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MSc Food Quality Management 2021-2022 Schedule whole programme: First year Course CS/RO Period and time2 Compulsory courses: FQD-20306 Food Quality Management CS 1M LAW-22806 Food Law CS 2M FQD-64306 Food Quality Management Research Principles I CS 4WD FQD-64806 Food Quality Management Research Principles II CS 5M Restricted optional courses (RO1): Choose 1 course from RO2 based on your background. If your background is in food science or technology, choose the course FQD-31806 Product Properties and Consumer Wishes. If your background is not in food science, choose FQD-22306 Food Quality Analysis and Judgement. BFT students choose the course FQD-31806 Product Properties and Consumer Wishes. FQD-22306 Food Quality Analysis and Judgement RO1 2A FQD-31806 Product Properties and Consumer Wishes RO1 2A

1CS=Compulsory Subject; RO=Restricted Optional 2M=Morning course, A=Afternoon course, WD=Whole day course, scheduled in the morning and in the afternoon Second year Thesis (36 credits) and Internship (24 credits) at the Food Quality and Design department (FQD), or, for the Specialization B: Quality and Food Logistics, at the FQD or Operations Research and Logistics (ORL) department. To get an idea about thesis topics for MFQ students, you can check the following website: https://www.wur.nl/en/show/MFQ-Thesis-booklet.htm Keep in mind that these are old thesis topics. Before you start with the thesis, you will receive an updated list (some topics will be removed, some will be adjusted, and new topics will be added). Note: The MFQ programme and each department have specific requirements for admission to the thesis. These prerequisite courses are listed in the study handbook for each department or on their website. The requirement for the MFQ programme is: “Students will only be admitted to the thesis or internship upon completion of the courses in the Common Part and at least one course from the specialisation”, see the study handbook: https://ssc.wur.nl/Handbook/Programme/MFQ For the thesis at the FQD department see: https://ssc.wur.nl/Handbook/Course/FQD-80436 When choosing the ORL thesis, you need to have passed courses from the ORL department. Some ideas of courses are mentioned on the official website of the ORL department: https://www.wur.nl/en/Research-Results/Chair-groups/Social-Sciences/Operations-Research-and-Logistics/Education.htm

The detailed planning of all 4 specializations is shown below from page 6 until page 9 (blue=compulsory courses; orange=RO1 and RO2 courses, green=optional courses).

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MFQ – Specialization A: Quality Control and Assurance The specialization Quality and Safety Control and Assurance educates students in complex problem solving by the techno-managerial approach, food safety knowledge, quality and safety standards, fraud and authenticity, and food law. Students will perform research in topics such as, food safety culture, risk-based auditing, food integrity management, effectiveness of food safety management systems (FSMS) in global supply chains, FSMS development and food safety enforcement in emerging countries. Schedule of the first year Course CS/RO1 Period and Time2

Compulsory courses for this specialization: FQD-38306 Advanced Tools in Quality Management CS 3WD FHM-61312 Food Safety Management* CS 6WD Choose at least 1 course from RO1: BEC-21306 Food Safety Economics RO1 5A FQD-36306 Food Fraud and Mitigation RO1 5A 1CS=Compulsory Subject; RO=Restricted Optional 2M=Morning course, A=Afternoon course, WD=Whole day course, scheduled in the morning and in the afternoon

Period 1 Period 2 Period 3 Period 4 Period 5 Period 6

MO

Food Quality Management

Food Law

Advanced Tools in Quality

Management

Food Quality Management

Research Principles I

Food Quality Management

Research Principles II

Food Safety Management*

*

AF

Optional course*

FQD-31806

BEC-21306

or FQD-36306

*If you did not have enough background knowledge about food microbiology, you can choose the course FHM-20306 Food Microbiology in period 1 afternoon. ** The course FHM-61312 Food Safety Management has as deadline for registration 15 March 2021 ! Schedule of the second year Thesis (36 credits) and Internship (24 credits) on a topic related to your specialization at FQD

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MFQ - Specialization B: Quality and Food Logistics The specialization Quality and Food Logistics allows students to investigate, analyze and improve food supply chain management based on surveys, case studies, conceptual frameworks and decision support models (such as simulation and optimization). This specialization provides the knowledge for understanding how complex food supply chains work, with emphasis on product quality, sustainability and technology. Further, innovative logistics concepts and dedicated decision support models will be developed to deal with increased complexity and contemporary developments in the agri-food sector. Students will perform research in topics such as quality controlled logistics, logistics collaboration concepts, the techno-managerial systems approach for food supply chain management, sustainability in food chains, etc. The knowledge and skills that students gain in this specialization prepare them to work in many agri-food industries and organizations including food processing, fresh food trader/wholesaler, and also food/logistics consulting companies. They can work as a supply chain or logistics manager as well as quality manager or product developer with profound knowledge about logistics and quality aspects and how they may influence each other in the agri-food sector. Schedule of the first year Course CS/RO1 Period and Time2

Compulsory courses for this specialization: FQD-38306 Advanced Tools in Quality Management CS 3WD ORL-31806 Food Logistics Management CS 5A ORL-30806 Operation Research and Logistics CS 6M

1CS=Compulsory Subject; RO=Restricted Optional 2M=Morning course, A=Afternoon course Period 1 Period 2 Period 3 Period 4 Period 5 Period 6

MO

Food Quality Management

Food Law

Advanced Tools in Quality

Management

Food Quality Management

Research Principles I

Food Quality Management

Research Principles II

Operation

Research and Logistics

AF

Decision

Science 1*

FQD-31806

Food Logistics Management

Optional course**

* If you did not have the course ORL-20306 Decision Science 1 in your BSc, include this course in period 1 afternoon. If you followed this course or similar course in your BSc, choose other optional course.

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** If you are interested to follow more courses of ORL, then you can choose ORL-32306 Biobased Logistics. You can choose also other optional course instead (see appendix 3). Schedule of the second year Thesis (36 credits) and Internship (24 credits) on a topic related to your specialization at FQD or ORL. MFQ – Specialization C: User-oriented food quality The specialization User Oriented Food Quality studies food quality from the consumer’s perspective. Different systems exist to check and control food quality in the production chain. After the point of sale, however, the consumer is in charge. Consumer practices in combination with use of available appliances determine food quality at the moment of consumption. What consumers do and why they do so is important to know. Taking this information into account in the food production chain, can contribute to an improved quality after the point of sale. In this specialization research topics are e.g. how consumers perform food related practices and how companies can anticipate on this, the consumer perception of quality attributes of food and how to improve perceived quality. Schedule of the first year

Course CS/RO1 Period and Time2

Compulsory courses for this specialization: FQD-38306 Advanced Tools in Quality Management CS 3WD Choose at least 2 courses from RO1: FQD-33806 Usability Research in Product Design RO1 1A YSS-31806 Consumer, Technology and Innovation RO1 5M MCB-30806 Sensory Perception and Consumer Preference RO1 5A

1CS=Compulsory Subject; RO=Restricted Optional 2M=Morning course, A=Afternoon course, WD=Whole day course, scheduled in the morning and in the afternoon Period 1 Period 2 Period 3 Period 4 Period 5 Period 6

MO

Food Quality Management

Food Law

Advanced Tools in Quality

Management

Food Quality Management

Research Principles I

Food Quality Management

Research Principles II

and YSS-31806 Consumer,

Technology and Innovation**

Optional course***

AF

FQD-33806*

FQD-31806

MCB-30806 Sensory

Perception and Consumer Preference

Optional course***

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* The RO1 course FQD-33806 Usability Research in Product Design in period 1 afternoon is a nice course to get more familiar with this specialisation. ** The RO1 course YSS-31806 Consumer, Technology and Innovation is scheduled in period 5 morning. It is possible to follow this course in combination with the CS course FQD-64806 Food Quality Management Research Principles II, without taking a course in the afternoon. *** If you are interested in following courses in the field of consumer studies, then you can have a look at the following courses for period 6, in the morning YSS-33306 Advanced Consumer Studies and in the afternoon MCB-31306 Creating Frameworks for Marketing and Consumer Behaviour. For other optional courses that are regularly chosen, see appendix 3. Schedule of the second year Thesis (36 credits) and Internship (24 credits) on a topic related to your specialization at FQD. MFQ – Specialization D: Quality Management and Entrepreneurship The specialization Quality Management and Entrepreneurship gives insight into developing business in that complex and dynamic environment and taking into account the several and sometimes conflicting demands (on quality, safety, environment-sustainability) posed by consumers, companies (e.g. retailers, producers), governmental agencies and/or NGO’s. Research thesis topics are e.g. on how food companies deal with such different and dynamic demands in designing a management system, the influence of such stakeholders on prioritizing the demands. Schedule of the first year Course CS/RO1 Period and Time2

Choose one course from RO1: FQD-38306 Advanced Tools in Quality Management RO1 3WD BMO-21306 Advanced Management and Marketing RO1 3WD Choose at least 1 course from RO2: BMO-22706 Principles of Entrepreneurship RO2 1A BEC-21306 Food Safety Economics RO2 5A FQD-36306 Food Fraud and Mitigation RO2 5A

1CS=Compulsory Subject; RO=Restricted Optional 2M=Morning course, A=Afternoon course, WD=Whole day course, scheduled in the morning and in the afternoon Period 1 Period 2 Period 3 Period 4 Period 5 Period 6

MO

Food Quality Management

Food Law

Advanced Tools in Quality

Management or

Advanced Management

and Marketing**

Food Quality Management

Research Principles I

Food Quality Management

Research Principles II

Optional course

AF

BMO-22706*

FQD-31806

BEC-21306 or

FQD-36306

Optional course

If you are interested in the domain of entrepreneurship then the course BMO-56806 Business Cases Agri-Food Entrepreneurship (morning) is interesting (the teachers assume that you are familiar with the principles of entrepreneurship, being BMO-22706)

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If you are interested in the management part, then you can choose the combination BMO-21306 Advanced Management and Marketing in period 3 and the course BMO-31306 Advanced Business Research (afternoon) is interesting in period 6. For other optional courses, see appendix 3. ** Students with a technical background take BMO-21306 Advanced Management and Marketing. Students with a background from social sciences (as business, economics, management, marketing, BBC) follow FQD-3AB06 Advanced Tools in Quality Management. If you are not sure whether you have sufficient background knowledge in the domain management and marketing, you can check the following literature: - Philip Kotler, Kevin Lane Keller (2016). Marketing management. Global edition, 15th ed. Pearson. - Stephen Robbins, David De Cenzo, Mary Coulter (2014). Fundamentals of Management: Global Edition, 9/E. Pearson. This literature is used for the course BMO-24306 Management and Marketing. If you don’t have this knowledge it is also possible to follow this course in period 2 afternoon and postpone the RO1 course FQD-31806 or FQD-22306 to the second MSc year. Schedule of the second year Thesis (36 credits) and Internship (24 credits) on a topic related to your specialization at FQD.

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Appendix 2: Planning of optional courses Note: This list of courses can be used to plan the optional courses (O) for all four MFQ specializations. In this list we only include courses that are frequently chosen by MFQ students. When choosing an optional course, always check the assumed knowledge which is indicated per course in the study handbook. Other courses might be allowed as optional, but should be of MSc level and only when you have appropriate background knowledge. Please consult the course planning (planning booklet) 2020-2021: https://www.wur.nl/en/Education-Programmes/Current-Students/Schedule-Study-Handbook.htm for other possibilities. Some courses have a maximum of participants. The deadline for registration is one week earlier than usual. See Academic Year:. https://www.wur.nl/en/Education-Programmes/Current-Students/Agenda-Calendar-Academic-Year.htm -> Registration for Courses 2020-2021. Period 1 Afternoon courses LAW-12806 Introduction in Law for the Life Sciences PAP-21806 European Union Institutions and Policies ORL-20306 Decision Science FQD-33806 Usability Research in Product Design

BMO-22706 Principles of Entrepreneurship

SDC-51806 Food Crises, the big picture INF-21306 Data Management CPT-23804 Introduction to Communication and Innovation Studies MAT-20306 Advanced Statistics Period 6 Morning courses YSS-33306 Advanced Consumer Studies

BMO-56806 Business Cases Agri-Food Entrepreneurship (only possible if you took Principles of Entrepreneurship)

MAT-20306 Advanced Statistics INF-20806 Applied Information Technology LAW-57806 Introduction to Consumer Law (this is a new course, it could be

that the course will become an afternoon course) Period 6 Afternoon courses ORL-32306 Biobased Logistics (only possible if you took another ORL course) MCB-31306 Creating Frameworks for Marketing and Consumer Behaviour (only

possible if you meet the assumed knowledge)

BMO-31306 Advanced Business Research (only possible if you took Advanced Management and Marketing)

MAT-50806 Qualitative Data Analysis: Procedures and Strategies CPT-39303 Science Communication 2.0 CPT-38803 Ethics of Food and Nutrition ELS-, INF-, YRM- ELS, INF and YRM offer several soft skills courses from 1 to 3 ects.

For example Scientific Writing Skills, Negotiation Skills, Career Development & Planning, Interviewing Techniques, Questionnaire Construction, and so on.

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Appendix 3: Planning scheme of MSc Food Quality Management Student name: My background is in:

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My preferred specialization is: Planning of the first year

Period Time M/A¹

Subject Code

Subject Status CS/RO2

Credits

Period 1 M FQD-20306 Food Quality Management CS 6

A

Period 2 M LAW-22806 Food Law CS 6

A FQD-22306 or FQD-31806

Food Quality Analysis and Judgement or Product Properties and Consumer Wishes

RO1 6

Period 3 WD: M+A

6

Period 4 WD: M+A

FQD-64306 Food Quality Management Research Principles I

CS 6

Period 5 M FQD-64806 Food Quality Management Research Principles II

CS 6

A 6

Period 6 M

A

Total 60

1M/A/WD Morning course, Afternoon course or Whole day course, scheduled in the morning and in the afternoon 2CS/RO CS: Compulsory course; RO: Restricted optional course

Planning of the second year

Start date

End date

Subject code

Subject Credits

FQD-80436 or ORL-80436

Thesis 36

FQD-70424 or ORL-70424

Internship 24

Total 60

Appendix 4: Academic calendar of Wageningen University 2020-2021

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Holidays 2020-2021 (during educational days/weeks)

Week

17 25th of December 2020 1st Christmas Day

17 26th of December 2020 2nd Christmas Day

18 1st of January 2021 New Year’s Day

31 2nd of April 2021 Good Friday

32 5th of April 2021 Easter Monday

35 27th of April 2021 Kings Day

36 5th of May 2021 Liberation Day

37 13th of May 2021 Ascension Day

39 24th of May 2021 Whit Monday

Contact Wageningen University Food Programmes P.O. Box 16 6700 AA Wageningen The Netherlands https://ssc.wur.nl/Handbook/Programme/MFQ

Secretariat T +31 (0)317-484052 mailto:food.science@wur.nl