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overview
The two-year course of studies provides students with practical, hands-on skills in the area of food processing, quality control, food microbiology, and food analysis. Students participate in an industry-sponsored project (practicum or directed studies) in the final term of the program. The industry project is an integral program component required for completion and certification. Students may be required to participate in work experience activities at the industry sponsor's regular place of business.
program entry
Entrance requirements
Check for acceptable equivalent courses taught in BC high schools.
Entrance requirements must have been completed within the past five years.
BC provincial exams
For programs beginning in August 2007 or later which require Grade 12 Math and Science courses, BCIT will not require the applicant to write the provincial exam. Provincial exam marks will still be required for English 12, Communications 12, and Technical and Professional Communications 12.
Apply to program
Submit an application: online or by mail.
Scheduled intakes
September each year
Technology entry
The Technology Entry (TE) program is a full-time, day school program which provides academic upgrading to students wishing to enrol in Computing, Engineering, Electronic and Health Sciences programs at BCIT.
The TE program provides courses in chemistry, communication, mathematics and physics that meet program prerequisites for selected programs at BCIT. The program also includes an introductory course in computer applications and a learning skills course. The program is supportive to those who require English-language training.
Application processing
October 1 of the previous year until the program fills. Applications are considered for a specific intake.
costs & supplies
Books and supplies
Level 1: $1,124; Level 2: $741; Level 3: $735; Level 4: $511
(general estimated cost, and subject to change)
courses
Program matrix
| Level 1 (15 weeks) |
Credits |
| |
BIOT 1020 |
Introductory Microbiology
Trains in the basic microbiological procedures employed in a laboratory, including the use and care of the microscope; staining methods, aseptic techniques; culturing; and methods of identifying and enumerating important microorganisms.
|
6.0 |
| |
CHEM 1103 |
Chemistry 1 for Food Technology
Introduces basic inorganic chemistry. Topics include chemical bonding, stoichiometry, formula writing, solution preparation, oxidation and reduction, acid-base theory, titration calculations and buffer solutions. Laboratory exercises consist of qualitative and quantitative analysis. Good laboratory techniques including WHMIS are emphasised.
|
6.0 |
| |
COMM 1144 |
Communication 1 for Biotechnology / Food Technology
This introductory communication course is designed to give you basic listening, writing, and speaking skills, which are required for effective professional communication in the food industry and related fields. You will learn how to communicate well with industry personnel, your peers, and your instructors. The course will cover planning, organizing, and presenting information orally and in writing. Specific assignments include memos, a team report, and an informative presentation for a food technology audience.
|
3.0 |
| |
FOOD 1030 |
Biology
A study of principles underlying living phenomena including the organizational attributes of living matter. Topics build upon fundamentals of chemistry and include: the chemistry of life (structure and function of macromolecules, metabolism); the cell (components, membrane structure and function, respiration, photosynthesis, division); plant structure and growth; and animal structure and growth.
|
4.0 |
| |
FOOD 1090 |
Introduction to Food Technology
Introduces the field of food science and technology. Discusses the sciences used to provide knowledge for food technology, the importance of food in providing proper nutrition and the opportunities for employment in the food industry.
|
2.0 |
| |
MATH 1441 |
Technical Mathematics for Food Technology
Covers exponential/logarithmic theory, transformations and variation, common and natural logarithms, logarithmic/ semi logarithmic graphs: straight line equation curve fitting. Delta-process, the derivative, differentiation rules, curve sketching, applied maxima/minima, the differential antiderivatives, indefinite integral, definite integral area under the curve and other applications of the definite integral. Introduction to microcomputers using MS Excel. Prerequisite: Principles of MATH 12 or Applications of MATH 12 C+.
|
6.0 |
| |
PHYS 1145 |
Physics for Food Technology 1
Introduces a wide variety of physical principles emphasising the applications of physics which are relevant to Food Technology. Develops skills in handling equipment, and the recording and reporting of data and results. Topics include kinematics, dynamics, work, energy, and circular motion.
|
3.0 |
|   |
| Level 2 (20 weeks) |
Credits |
| |
CHEM 2203 |
Chemistry 2 for Food Technology
An introductory organic chemistry course with specific topics related to food technology. Major topics include hydrocarbons, alcohols, phenols, organohalogen compounds, amines, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, stereochemistry, carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, and proteins. Laboratory exercises consist of quantitative and qualitative analyses, separation of organic compounds, and isolation and identification of natural products. Prerequisites: CHEM 1103
|
8.0 |
| |
COMM 2244 |
Communication 2 for Biotechnology / Food Technology
This course expands the scope, complexity, and format of communication skills learned in first term. The course will cover compiling a professional career package (resume, application letter, and answers to typical job interview questions), writing reports in the workplace, and giving oral presentations. You will continue to develop your ability to work effectively as a member of a team: solving workplace problems, resolving conflicts, and running and taking part in meetings. Prerequisites: COMM 1144
|
4.0 |
| |
FOOD 1188 |
Developing a HACCP Plan
Introduces the principles of HACCP, and the development of a HACCP Plan within CFIA's FSEP (Food Safety Enhancement Program) for agri-food products and QMP (Quality Management Program) for seafood products. Includes: HACCP prereq. programs, standard operating procedures, preliminary steps to HACCP, and the seven HACCP Principles. You will develop a product description, process flow diagram and floor plan (including raw and final product flow, and employee traffic flow), and be required to complete sections of a HACCP Plan for at least one product example. These sections include Hazard Analysis, Critical Control Point, Critical Limits, Monitoring, Corrective Action, Verification and Records, procedures for submission, implementation, and maintenance of a HACCP Plan. BCIT issues a statement of completion to those who achieve a minimum final grade of 70%. http://www.bcit.ca/study/programs/6340acert Prerequisites: FOOD 1178
|
2.0 |
| |
FOOD 2010 |
Food Processing 1
Introduces the principles and processes of canning, freezing, dehydrating and fermentation of foods; the use of salt, sugar and additives to preserve food; and the importance of food packaging. Preserves experimental portions of food by various methods during lab periods. Prerequisite: FOOD 1090, BIOT 1020 or microbiology training.
|
8.0 |
| |
FOOD 2020 |
Food Microbiology
Presents the application of microbiology to food manufacturing; the isolation of micro-organisms significant to food processing; maintaining high microbiological standards in processed foods; spoilage control; assessing microbiological test results and report writing to management. Prerequisites: BIOT 1020
|
8.0 |
| |
MATH 2441 |
Statistics for Food Technology
The course covers the organization and graphical representation of data, frequency distributions, measures of central tendency, variation, and other measures; probability theory and laws, random variables, discrete and continuous probability distributions; sampling, estimation and hypothesis testing with both large and small samples; application to population means, proportions, difference of population means, paired differences; method of least squares, linear regression and correlation, goodness- of-fit tests and a brief introduction to analysis of variance. Prerequisites: MATH 1441
|
6.5 |
| |
PHYS 2145 |
Physics for Food Technology 2
Continues from PHYS 1145 with an emphasis on relevant physics principles and their applications. It reinforces and extends skills acquired in PHYS 1145. Topics include fluids, temperature, heat, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, and light. Labs emphasise measurement, data analysis, experimental techniques and report writing. Prerequisites: PHYS 1145
|
5.5 |
|   |
| Level 3 (15 weeks) |
Credits |
| |
CHEM 3311 |
Instrumental Analytical Methods
Covers instrumentation used for chemical analysis. The theory, construction, application and operation of instrumentation is discussed. Instruments include spectrophotometry (visible, ultra violet, near infrared and infrared, emission, absorption), flame photometry, chromatography (gas, liquid, high pressure liquid) and mass spectrometry. Laboratory exercises involve use of these instruments. Prerequisites: CHEM 2203
|
5.0 |
| |
FOOD 3010 |
Food Processing 2
Presents the study of food manufacturing processes in the fish, meat, fruit and vegetable, cereal, dairy, beverage and confectionery industries. Emphasizes principles and techniques of proper handling and preservation of products in these industries. Discusses the use of ingredients such as sweeteners, flavourings, colouring and preservatives. Prerequisites: FOOD 2010
|
5.0 |
| |
FOOD 3030 |
Quality Control 1
Provides an assessment of food quality. Includes responsibilities and organization of a quality control department in the food industry; statistical procedures for sampling; use of control charts; federal and government regulations; an introduction to tri-stimulus colorimetry and measurement of colour in foods. Prerequisites: MATH 2441
|
4.0 |
| |
FOOD 3040 |
Food Analysis 1
Introduces the theoretical and practical aspects of sampling and sample preparation. Includes the proximate analysis of foods and biological materials, and an introduction to carbohydrate and protein chemistry with selected analyses. Prerequisites: CHEM 2203
|
5.0 |
| |
FOOD 3250 |
Sanitation for Food Processing
Stresses the good manufacturing practices, personal hygiene, and HACCP systems relating to the sanitation of food plants. Studies properties of appropriate cleaners and sanitizers together with the proper use of equipment for cleaning. Discusses sanitary and safety design of food processing plants and equipment as well as appropriate waste management. Prerequisite: Completion of Level 2.
|
5.0 |
| |
MATH 3441 |
Advanced Statistical Methods/Computer Skills For Food Technology
This course builds on the basic microcomputer skills developed in MATH 1441 and the comprehensive coverage of basic statistical inference methods presented in MATH 2441 to familiarize the student with more sophisticated applications of spreadsheet programs to more sophisticated methods of statistical analysis. The course includes an introduction to experimental design issues, one-way analysis of variance, multiple regression, factorial analysis, by implementing the computations in a spreadsheet from scratch, and using various built-in tools. Emphasis is given to interpretation of results. Prerequisites: MATH 2441
|
3.0 |
| |
OPMT 1343 |
Operations Management for Food Technology
This course will give students a basic understanding of how operations management is applied in modern food manufacturing and service industries to improve operational performance. The student will do field studies in the food industry to evaluate how an existing company defines, plans, measure and manages productivity and other key performance indicators.
|
3.0 |
|   |
| Level 4 (20 weeks) |
Credits |
| |
BUSA 1102 |
Management for Food Technology*
Introduces the basic concepts of the management process required to bring a food product from recipe to market. Topics covered include: organizational structure, financing, marketing (including promotion and sales), manufacturing, staffing, and planning. It creates opportunities for the student to develop analytical, problem solving, teamwork, and communications skills necessary for an entrepreneur in food processing.
|
2.5 |
| |
COMM 3444 |
Communication 3 for Food Technology
This course expands the scope, complexity, and format of communication skills learned in previous courses. Students will update their career packages, practice oral presentations, and work on a variety of home and in-class assignments that will lead to the production of a substantial formal report. COMM 3444 is closely integrated with FOOD 4390 - Directed Studies in Food Technology (Practicum). Students should be enrolled in both courses at the same time to help them achieve success in their industry project. Prerequisites: COMM 2244
|
2.5 |
| |
ELEX 2825 |
Process Instrumentation (Food Tech)*
This is an orientation course for the food processing technology, covering the principles and practices of automatic control systems. The student will learn the terminology and symbology necessary to communicate with engineers and technologists specializing in this field. Operation and application of common measurement systems for pressure, flow, and temperature are described. Prerequisites: PHYS 2145
|
2.5 |
| |
FOOD 4010 |
Food Processing 3
Continues the study of food manufacturing processes in the fish, meat, fruit and vegetable, cereal, dairy, beverage and confectionery industries. Emphasizes principles and techniques of proper handling and preservation of products in these industries. Discusses the use of ingredients such as sweeteners, flavourings, colouring and preservatives. Prerequisites: FOOD 3010
|
6.5 |
| |
FOOD 4020 |
Process Systems for Food Technology
Presents the acquisition and handling of materials for food processing. Studies operations used in food processing systems such as heat transfer and product separation. Discusses dehydration, packaging, and fluid and solids handling systems used in food processing plants Prerequisites: PHYS 2145
|
6.5 |
| |
FOOD 4030 |
Quality Control 2
Covers the sensory evaluation of food; facility design and selection of taste panels; statistical analysis of data; and laboratory measurement of consistency and texture of foods. Prerequisites: FOOD 3030 and MATH 3441
|
5.5 |
| |
FOOD 4040 |
Food Analysis 2
Introduces the chemistry and practical laboratory analysis of lipids, vitamins and minerals. Addresses methods for the determination of food additives, detection of food contaminants (e.g. aflatoxin), and the characterization of food processing waste water. Prerequisites: CHEM 3311 and FOOD 3040
|
6.5 |
| |
FOOD 4390 |
Directed Studies for Food Technology (Practicum)
Works on an appropriate industry-related practicum project under the supervision of a faculty advisor. Requires literature review, methodology and progress reports, as well as final oral and written technical reports. Prerequisite: Completion of Terms 1, 2 and 3 courses in Food Technology.
|
5.0 |
| * denotes a half-term course |
| |
| Total Credits: |
139.5 |
Transfer credit
Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if
they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's
Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.
program details
Program length
Two years, full-time
Continue Your Education
Degree Completion
Food Technology graduates wishing to obtain a Bachelor of Technology may receive two years of credit toward the BCIT Environmental Health (Public Health Inspection) program, leading toward a career in public/environmental health services. Graduates wanting a degree in food science from the University of British Columbia (UBC) are assessed on an individual basis by UBC.
graduating & jobs
Job Opportunities
Graduates are employed primarily by small- to medium-sized companies as well as larger food processing firms. Beginning salaries vary according to the company. Responsibilities of the food technologist generally centre around food safety, with most graduates working in the area of quality control. In BC, employers often specify a BCIT diploma or a science degree in their job requirements.
Graduate employment outcomes
The following link takes you to graduate outcome survey results containing mostly labour market results from the 2007-2009 BCIT Outcomes Surveys of 2006-2008 Graduates. Note: The survey results will be displayed in a separate browser window. To view these results, you need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed in your Web browser.
As BCIT strives to keep our programs current, programs and courses are subject to change without notice.
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Big Info Session March 31
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