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Our Master of Science degree can be taken in a number of majors: Public Health Nutrition, Food Science, Greenhouse Horticulture, Agriculture, or Sustainable Water Futures. This program builds on your professional experience and/or prior degrees to develop advanced expertise and critical understanding in science and in these disciplines.
Study options
FULL TIME
2 years
PART TIME
4 years
Start times
Autumn
March
(2024)
Spring
July
(2024)
Advance your curiosity for science
Depending on the major chosen, you may find employment at a senior level in a wide range of destinations, including federal, state and local government bodies, universities, research organisations, food and agriculture industries, private companies, health facilities, science-based industries, or private consultancies.
Program structure
Our program structure is outlined in our handbook. Here you can view all of the subjects you will be studying.
The Master of Science majoring in Food Science is designed for graduates interested in furthering a career in food science and technology, working in a variety of settings, such as food manufacturing, research and development, regulatory affairs, technical and senior management. Graduates will develop knowledge and skills to meet future challenges to the food supply including sustainability, food safety, and health and nutrition, applicable to both Australian and global contexts. This major develops essential content knowledge, analytical skills and mastery of laboratory methods and quality assurance through an integrated set of subjects in food processing, quality assurance, food evaluation techniques and new product development. In particular, these subjects are all directed towards solving current and future challenges. Students will be prepared to become professional food scientists with the cognitive, technical and critical thinking skills to analyse issues and articulate appropriate solutions. Students will become familiar with the University’s food pilot plant and commercial kitchen and be able use these facilities to practise their skills and application of knowledge and skills. A capstone subject involving professional research project allows students to integrate their knowledge and skills developed from the whole program and build on research skills that are scaffolded through the curriculum.
Horticulture is one of the fastest growing food producing sectors in Australia. Western Sydney University (WSU) Hawkesbury Campus has been excellent in delivering high-quality research and teaching programs in horticulture. The unique Master of Science (Greenhouse Horticulture), Graduate Diploma in Protected Cropping, and Graduate Certificate in Protected Cropping offer students exciting learning opportunities to extend the students’ knowledge and further develop their expertise in the areas of science, technology and business with a strong focus on intensive horticulture. The highlight for the learning journey is the Masterclass experience, where you will be meeting with industry experts and working on real life industry challenges in a world-class greenhouse facility at the National Vegetable Protected Cropping Centre (NVPCC) of WSU. Themes for the Masterclass include crop and produce management, software and hardware systems, integrated pest management and fertigation systems. In addition, students will have the opportunity to complete protected cropping industry projects by integrating and applying what you have learned. The program will also help students to harness and showcase leadership, communication and business skills. Graduates of these versatile and flexible degrees will be able to apply the latest research findings and practices to the workplace or to explore new career options in the field of horticulture with an elevated perspective and a new skillset. Graduates of the Master of Science (Greenhouse Horticulture) will also have the opportunities to conduct cutting-edge research with an industry partner or at the NVPCC and the Future Food Systems Corporate Centre towards a PhD.
Increasing the sustainable production of food for a growing population, in an unpredictable and increasingly harsh environment, is a global priority. Agricultural systems that meet these social and environmental goals of sustainable development must be developed to ensure healthy lives. This Postgraduate major is designed for science graduates interested in agricultural careers in technological innovation, research and development, agricultural policy and senior management. It is expected that upon completion of the program students will have the cognitive, technical and critical thinking skills to analyse issues and articulate appropriate solutions in the ever-evolving field of agricultural science. A capstone subject involving either a research or professional industry project will allow students to integrate their knowledge and skills developed throughout the program.
The Master of Science major in Public Health Nutrition is designed for human nutrition graduates seeking to further their career in public health and health promotion; working in a variety of settings, such as local, state or national health organisations, non-government organisations, population health subjectts, community health centres, and international aid agencies. Roles may include, health promotion officer, research and evaluation officer, monitoring and surveillance officer, and health policy officer. The program draws on and complements the Master of Public Health, providing an attractive postgraduate pathway for students with prior nutrition knowledge. This major build an integrated understanding of relevant aspects of community and public health nutrition and its interrelation with other relevant disciplines including, behavioural sciences and nutrition/health education, social sciences, economics, politics, food and nutrition systems, and public health systems. A capstone subject involving a public health nutrition research project allows students to integrate their knowledge and skills developed from the whole program and build on research skills that are scaffolded through the curriculum.
The right to safe drinking water and sanitation is an internationally recognized human right and integral to the realization of other human rights. Efficient water management will be key to this in the future as well as providing adequate food, health and well-being, and preserving our natural environments and ecosystems. This specialisation uses a transdisciplinary approach to developing sustainable solutions to current problems with water resourcing and to equip graduates with the tools to tackle future difficulties in water management. It is expected that upon completion of the program students will have the cognitive, technical and critical thinking skills to analyse issues and articulate appropriate solutions in the complex field of water sustainability. A capstone subject involving either a research or professional industry project will allow students to integrate their knowledge and skills developed throughout the program.
Fees and delivery
Fees: $31,224* $8,944*
Delivery: On campus
Fees: AUD $36,688*
Delivery: On campus
Start your unlimited journey today.
Your career
Career opportunites include:
- Health Promotion Officer
- Research and Evaluation Officer
- Food Scientist
- Secondary Teacher in Food Technology
- Professional Horticulture Scientist
- Agricultural Researcher
Your career
Health Promotion Officer
Health Promotion Officers develop and oversee health promotion programs for community groups which helps people understand the important relationship between health and food.
Research and Evaluation Officer
Research and evaluation officers collect, analyse and report on the relationship between food and health, providing supported data to help inform various programs and initiatives.
Health Policy Officer
Health policy officers help develop policies and provide research to improve the health of populations and drive action towards health promotion.
Food Scientist
Food Scientists are involved in new food product development, quality assurance, food regulations, research and development. You will use your understanding of the science behind food, its preparation and requirements to produce safe, nutritious and palatable food.
Secondary Teacher in Food Technology
Students seeking a career in Secondary Teaching will be prepared to meet the requirements of the NSW Institute of Teachers for Food Technology, plus alternates in biology, chemistry, physics, or design and technology. Further study is required.
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Apply now and start your unlimited journey.
*The tuition fees quoted above are the fees for the normal full-time study load of the program (80 credit points) per annum, unless the total duration of the program is less than 80CP. International students will be subject to a variable fee regime; i.e. enrolled students will be required to pay fees during their program based on the approved fee for each calendar year. Fee changes (if any) will occur at 1 January each calendar year. Students who extend their program past the normal finish date of the program will be required to pay additional fees based on the prevailing fee level. Western Sydney University is a multi-campus institution. The University reserves the right to alter the location of its programs between campuses and other locations as necessary. Students should be aware of the possibility of change of location for the whole or part of programs for which they enrol and should plan for the need to travel between Western Sydney campuses.
** Lowest Selection Rank
