All course information is listed within this syllabus.

FDSC 200: Introductory Food Science (3 credits). General overview and principles; food constituents and properties; quality and safety; preservation methods; processing animal and plant products.

Prerequisite: CHEM 110

Instructors

Instructor for FDSC 200

Ramaswamy C. Anantheswaran, Ph.D.
Professor of Food Science
Director for Education by Non-Traditional Delivery
Chair of the Cocoa, Chocolate, and Confectionery Research Group

Department of Food Science
305 Rodney A. Erickson Food Science Building
University Park, PA 16802

Phone (Office): 814-865-3004
E-mail: Use Canvas Inbox

Instructor for FDSC 200

Hassan Gourama, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Food Science

201E Luerssen Building
Penn State Berks
Reading, PA 19610

Phone (Office): 610-396-6121
E-mail: Use Canvas Inbox

Course Overview

In this course, you will become familiar with the basic types of processed foods available to consumers, the basic types of processes utilized to preserve these foods, and the fundamental scientific principles behind these processes. You will understand the main concepts of quality control for safety and quality in the processing of foods. You will also become familiar with the vocabulary of food technology in order to better understand the literature of food processing and evaluate the safety, advertising, quality, and marketing of processed foods. And by taking this course you will become better prepared to take more in-depth courses in food science and other related majors.

Module 1: Food System

Module 2: Food Product Development

Module 3: Food Chemistry

Module 4: Food Analysis

Module 5: Food Microbiology

Module 6: Food Toxicology

Module 7: Food Biotechnology

Module 8: Nutrition

Module 9: Food Engineering

Module 10: Food Processing

Module 11: Sensory

Module 12: Food Laws and Regulations

Course Objectives

Upon completion of FDSC 200, students will have learned to:

  • Explain the scope and the history of food science and technology.
  • Understand food composition and the major food categories including beverages, cereals, grains, fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry, eggs, seafood, milk and dairy products, and confectionery products.
  • Become familiar with the basics of human nutrition and food labeling.
  • Understand the basic chemistry and functional properties of food carbohydrates, food lipids and food proteins, and the chemistry of colors and food flavors.
  • Explain the nature and function of food additives and food laws and regulations in the United States.
  • Explain the basic principles of food processing operations such as heat, cold, and drying.
  • Explain how animal products such as meats, dairy products, and eggs are preserved.
  • Explain how beverages, plant products, and food lipids are processed and preserved.
  • Explain the types of microorganisms found in foods, the factors that affect their growth in foods, and their role in food spoilage and food fermentations.
  • Explain the most common biological hazards responsible for foodborne illnesses, the factors that contribute to foodborne illnesses, and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP).
  • Describe risk assessment for chemical hazards, naturally occurring toxins, and synthetic toxicants.
  • Explain the physical makeup of foods and the effects of food processing on the physical properties of foods.
  • Examine heat transfer, psychrometrics, and extrusion technology.
  • Explain the basics of food biotechnology and genetic engineering and examine the benefits and concerns of food biotechnology.
  • Examine the basics of sensory evaluation and food product development.
  • Describe the impact of regulations.
  • Differentiate between a law and a statute.
  • Differentiate between guidances and regulations.
  • Identify various organizations responsible for overseeing food safety.
  • Define the roles of the USDA and the FSIS.
  • Describe the FSMA preventative controls for human foods.
  • Compare and contrast the roles of state and local agencies.
  • Relate food safety systems to regulatory regulations.
  • Describe good manufacturing practices for buildings and facilities and personal.
  • Describe the role of sanitation procedures in enhancing food safety.
  • Describe allergen control programs to traceability and recall.
  • Describe the 7 steps in the HACCP process.

Course Schedule

For due dates, refer to the Course Summary on the Syllabus page in Canvas.

Course Materials

There is no required textbook for this class.

Assignments

Exams, quizzes, and assignments must be taken or submitted when scheduled unless you present a documented and legitimate excuse (i.e., police accident report, doctor's letter, attending conferences, class trips, etc.). The make-ups will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Questions for exams and quizzes will be based on material covered in Canvas and assigned readings.

Exams

There will be four exams within the course:

  • Exam 1, covers Modules 3 and 4
  • Exam 2, covers Modules 5, 6, and 7
  • Exam 3, covers Modules 8 and 9
  • Exam 4, covers Modules 10, 11, and 12

The due date for each exam is listed in the course schedule. Review the material carefully in Canvas and use the study guides to help you review. You have one attempt to take this timed exam. There are 40 multiple-choice questions. Timing will begin as soon as you start the exam and will not stop even if you log out or switch browsers. You have 40 min to complete this exam, at which time it will automatically close.

Quizzes

A quiz will be assigned at the end of each of the following modules: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11. The due date for each quiz is listed in the course schedule. Each quiz consists of 15 multiple-choice questions. You have three attempts to take this timed quiz. Timing will begin as soon as you start the quiz and will not stop even if you log out or switch browsers. You have 15 minutes to complete the quiz, at which time it will automatically close.

Late Policy

Late assignments without a valid excuse and documentation will not be accepted.

Grading Policy

The following table is the grading criteria for the course.

Grading Criteria
Requirement Weight
Assignments 25%
Quizzes 25%
Exams 50%
TOTAL: 100%

The following table is the grading scheme for the course.

Grading Scheme
Letter Grade Percentage
A 100% – 93%
A- < 93% – 90%
B+ < 90% – 87%
B < 87% – 83%
B- < 83% – 80%
C+ < 80% – 77%
C < 77% – 70%
D < 70% – 60%
F < 60%

Please refer to the University Grading Policy for Undergraduate Courses for additional information.

NOTE: If you are planning to graduate this semester, please communicate your intent to graduate to your instructor. This will alert your instructor to the need to submit your final grade in time to meet the published graduation deadlines. For more information about graduation policies and deadlines, please see "Graduation" under World Campus Student Resources.

Online Students Use of the Library

As Penn State World Campus students, you have access to many of the materials that the library offers to students. The library website has a lot to offer, but can be overwhelming. A guide has been created to serve as your introduction to important library resources, services, and important pages within the library. The Online Student Library Guide is updated regularly by the online librarian and is intended to provide a level of comfort through an introduction to help you feel comfortable navigating the library website to find valuable information for your coursework.

Technical Requirements

This course is offered online and it is assumed you possess the minimum system requirements and computing skills to participate effectively. A list of technical requirements is listed on the Penn State Technical Requirements page.

Minimum Skills

  • You should have an understanding of basic computer usage (creating folders/directories, switching between programs, formatting and backing up media, accessing the internet).
  • You must be able to conduct word processing tasks such as creating, editing, saving, and retrieving documents.
  • You must be able to use a web browser to open web pages, download files, and search the internet.
  • You must be able to use an e-mail program to send and receive messages and to attach and download documents/files.
  • You must be able to download and install programs or plug-ins from the internet.

Getting Help With Canvas Courses

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Support Services

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Accessibility Information

Netiquette

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Penn State Policies

Login Policy

Students are expected to log in regularly to keep up to date with announcements, discussions, etc. The class will progress at a regular pace throughout the semester and there are specific due dates and times for assignments, etc.

Course Availability

Your course will be available to you beginning the first day of class and will remain open for one year. After one year the course will close.

Academic Integrity

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Please read the academic integrity guidelines for the College of Agricultural Sciences.

A lack of knowledge or understanding of the University's academic integrity policy and the types of actions it prohibits and/or requires does not excuse one from complying with the policy. Penn State and the College of Agricultural Sciences take violations of academic integrity very seriously. Faculty, alumni, staff, and fellow students expect each student to uphold the University's standards of academic integrity both inside and outside of the classroom.

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Copyright Notice

All course materials students receive or to which students have online access are protected by copyright laws. Students may use course materials and make copies for their own use as needed, but unauthorized distribution and/or uploading of materials without the instructor's express permission is strictly prohibited. University Policy AD40, Recording of Classroom Activities and Note-Taking Services, addresses this issue. Students who engage in the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials may be held in violation of the University's Code of Conduct, and/or liable under federal and state laws.

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)

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Accommodations for Persons With Disabilities

Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. Every Penn State campus has an office for students with disabilities. The Student Disability Resources website provides contact information for every Penn State campus. For further information, please visit the Student Disability Resources page.

In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus' disability services office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.

Accommodations for Military Personnel

Veterans and currently serving military personnel and/or spouses with unique circumstances (e.g., upcoming deployments, drill/duty requirements, disabilities, VA appointments, etc.) are welcome and encouraged to communicate these, in advance if possible, to the instructor in the case that special arrangements need to be made.

Use of Trade Names

Where trade names are used, no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by World Campus, Outreach and Cooperative Extension, the College of Agricultural Sciences, or The Pennsylvania State University is implied.

Subject to Change Statement

Please note that this Course Syllabus is subject to change. Students are responsible for abiding by such changes.

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