The interdepartmental MSc program is the focal point for graduate teaching and research in food safety and quality assurance. The FSQA program is intended to prepare food scientists, food engineers, microbiologists and others with appropriate scientific backgrounds for participation in food safety monitoring and management in the food industry and in government food regulatory roles. Students wishing to undertake graduate studies at the MSc level with an emphasis on food safety and quality assurance will be working on a project with an approved advisor.

Administrative Staff

Chair
Maria Corradini (112 Food Science, Ext. 53344)
mcorradi@uoguelph.ca
Graduate Program Coordinator
Iris Joye (237 Food Science, Ext. 52470)
ijoye@uoguelph.ca
Graduate Program Assistant
106 Food Science, Ext. 56983
fsqa@uoguelph.ca

Graduate Faculty

This list may include Regular Graduate Faculty, Associated Graduate Faculty and/or Graduate Faculty from other universities.

MSc Program

Admission Requirements

The program is most suitable for those with an undergraduate degree in food science or microbiology and for those currently employed in the food safety and quality assurance fields in government regulatory work or in the food industry who desire upgrading of skills and knowledge. Applicants for admission to this program must meet the admission requirement of a baccalaureate in an honours program (or the equivalent) in a relevant field of study from a recognized university or college with an average standing of at least a 'B' average.

Prospective students indicate whether they wish to complete the program in “Hybrid Delivery” (on-campus and online learning) or “Distance Delivery” (fully online) mode at the time of application.

“Distance Delivery” applicants are required to submit an additional (third) letter of support from an individual (such as a supervisor and/or manager) in an organization indicating a willingness to oversee the applicant’s workplace project, should they be accepted to the program.

Applicants will be expected to have completed undergraduate courses that prepare them for participation in the core graduate courses and electives of the program. Undergraduate upgrading prior to applying may be necessary to ensure sufficient background in topics such as microbiology, toxicology, statistics, and analytical methods.

Program Requirements

Completion of the MSc FSQA program requires a minimum of seven courses (or 4.0 credits) acceptable for graduate credit.

Hybrid Delivery

Students must complete:

¹

This project, equal to 1.00 credit, is one of the seven courses required to complete the program.

²

Suitable courses are listed in the courses section. Other courses, not listed here, also may be considered. Up to two senior undergraduate courses can be taken. The courses selected will depend upon the student's background, specialty, interest and area of project research. The normal duration of the program is three to four full-time semesters.

Distance Delivery

Students must complete:

The normal duration of the program is three full-time semesters.

Graduate Diploma

Admission Requirements

The program is most suitable for those with an undergraduate food science or microbiology background and for those currently employed in food safety and quality assurance fields in government food regulatory work or in the food industry who desire upgrading of skills and knowledge. Applicants for admission to this program must meet the admission requirement of a baccalaureate in an honours program (or the equivalent) in a relevant field of study from a recognized university or college with an average standing of at least a 'B' average. Applicants will be expected to have completed undergraduate courses that prepare them for participation in the core graduate courses and electives of the program. Undergraduate upgrading may be necessary to ensure sufficient background in topics such as microbiology, toxicology, statistics, and analytical methods.

Program Requirements

All students must complete the following five courses:

Collaborative Specializations

Toxicology

The MSc in Food Safety and Quality Assurance (Hybrid Delivery) participates in the collaborative specialization in toxicology. Two Toxicology graduate level courses must be completed as part of the course work. Please consult the Toxicology listing for a detailed description of the master's collaborative specialization.

Courses

Other Graduate Courses Suitable for Credit in this Program

Food Science

Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics

Human Heath and Nutritional Sciences

Pathobiology

Population Medicine

Plant Agriculture

Undergraduate Courses Suitable for Credit in this Program

Food Science

Human Health and Nutritional Sciences

Population Medicine