Master of Science in Food Engineering
Hybrid
Courses
Common Core
GAA617Modeling of Food Systems
3 credits
This course covers the mathematical modeling of food engineering processes used in the industry in order to reduce the number of experiments, and optimize and improve the automation and control capabilities. It includes topics such as: the roles and applications of modeling in agricultural and food processes based on conservation principles of momentum, heat and mass; a systematic approach to model building; and formulation of a differential equation for modeling, applied to various agricultural and food engineering problems.
GAA615Seminar
3 credits | Pre-requisite: STA515 And (GAA511 or TAG601)
This seminar course helps students to develop the analytical skills required to evaluate scientific work. It teaches students to organize, design, and deliver formal presentations, to formulate research questions and an hypothesis, to use appropriate research design and methods and to write a literature review and a thesis proposal in agricultural, nutritional and food sciences disciplines.
STA515Statistical Analysis Methods
3 credits
The purpose of this course is to strengthen the knowledge of students in the field of applied statistics by minimizing the mathematical approach and developing practical and methodological aspects. It presents the main techniques of most known statistical tests (descriptive and inferential statistics, explanatory methods, and data analysis). The course provides an overview and practical main methods available in software, with an aid to the interpretation of the results and through fully processed examples using the statistical software SPSS. Most of the themes will be covered by this course including the analysis of Variance (ANOVA test), comparisons of samples (ttest and Chi-square), single and multiple regression.
Specialization
GAG645Accounting and Management of Agricultural Businesses
3 credits
This course describes the business and economics of the agriculture and food industries including the agricultural producer, consumer and food systems. It examines the management principles encountered in the daytoday operation of an agricultural enterprise and their influence on the decision-making process. Topics also covered include preparation of feasibility studies, balance sheets, tracking systems, consumption and marketing of agricultural products, policies designed to achieve efficiency and welfare goals in agriculture.
GAA529Advanced Food Engineering
3 credits
This course highlights the advanced topics and concepts in agrifood engineering. Topics include: thermal properties, heat and mass transfer in food systems, packaging and distribution of food products, traditional and advanced thermal and nonthermal processing (UHT, ohmic heating, microwave, infrared, and radio frequency radiation, high hydrostatic pressure, pulsed electric field, shockwaves, etc.), supercritical fluid extraction, extrusion, rheology and kinetics of food transformations, and membrane processes.
GAG560AAdvanced Specialized Internship
1 credits
This advanced internship is an individualized program whereby students acquire handson training experience and knowhow in specific agricultural and food sectors. It provides students with knowledge of career opportunities and helps them to gain advanced experience and understanding of agriculture’s role in today’s society. This internship also provides opportunities to apply skills, concepts and theories in a practical context.
GAA523Food Innovation and Development
3 credits
This course deals with the aspects needed by any modern agrifood business to remain competitive by developing new products. It introduces the students to the successive stages of innovation with a focus on the link that should be strengthened between science, technology and business sectors. The course also highlights the legal and social aspects, in addition to the market study and business plan, needed to establish new firms. Also, it covers some technical details for development of new products.
GAA511Food Structure and Formulation
3 credits
This course highlights the major food ingredients and their physicochemical roles in foods. The food formulation is discussed in terms of developing a commercial product that is characterized by its added value and that meets predetermined specifications. Also, the concepts of food texture, including the physiological processes of texture perception, the importance of the mechanical properties and structure of foods, in addition to the different methods of sensory analysis, are included.
GAA527Machinery and Food Industrial Control
3 credits
This course develops the concepts of industrial automation and control of food industrial process. The first part of the course, industrial automation, covers modeling of industrial processes through physical principles and identifying these processes using time and frequency domain techniques. The second part, process modeling and control, involves Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) with an explanation of their hardware and software and special attention to Ladder Programming.
GAA513Microbiological and Enzymatic Engineering
3 credits
This course will include a description of the latest techniques for the detection of microorganisms. Another aspect of this course will be a detailed examination of engineering fermentation processes, with a component on the selection of ferments. The theoretical part will be associated with functional examples of the production of ferments in the laboratory on a pilot scale with the optimization of physicochemical parameters in flask and fermenter. The last part will include methods of cultivation of microorganisms, biosynthesis and purification of molecules of industrial interest, bioconversion and biodegradation, and strategies of genetic engineering for the production of proteins of interest and the construction of GMOs.
GAA619Quality Assurance and Consumer Health
3 credits
This course highlights the importance of quality assurance on the health of consumers in the face of increasing demands for food quality and fast changing regulations. It emphasizes the fact that food quality assurance is not an option but rather an imperative. Also, it provides agrifood engineers with knowledge and skills for developing a coherent and comprehensive food management system (SOPs, GMPs, HACCP, ISO22000) that reflects their organization's professional standards, ethics, philosophy and values.
GAA520Workshops in Food Engineering
1 credits
This course is designed for food engineering students in order to initiate group discussions on current topics in their areas of study. Also, it includes critical analysis and evaluation of selected published scientific articles, in addition to presentations given by guest speakers from the public and private sectors on the emerging issues and challenges facing today’s food industry. The course also includes mock job interviews and helpful tips to write a professional curriculum vitae.
Electives
ENO527Chemical Composition of Musts and Wines
3 credits
This course describes the different chemical compounds present in musts and wine. It deals with the influence of different natural and technical conditions on the base material, and the evolution reactions affecting the final product. Laboratory sessions will be conducted to provide students with a handson experience in the analysis of wine.
ENO523Microbiology and Fermentation
3 credits
This course details the microbial ecosystem from grapes to wines, the biology and growth of yeasts and bacteria. It covers alcoholic and malolactic fermentation processes as well as the conditions for better progress of these fermentations. This course also addresses the spoilage microorganisms, in addition to the selected productive microorganisms. It discusses the techniques and means for monitoring microbial stability: sulphuring, thermal destruction and filtration. The optimal conditions for wine packaging, conservation and storage will be discussed. Lab sessions will complete this course.
TAG632Quality Systems in Agri-food
3 credits
Food control includes all business activities to ensure the quality, safety and authenticity of food at all stages from primary production, processing, storage, to marketing and consumption. The course details the quality systems with aspects of food labeling and certification of products, the ISO 22000 which will be compared with other quality systems, and HACCP for integrated management of the sanitary quality.
ENO511Viticultural Practices
3 credits
This course covers the current practices for establishing a vineyard and maintaining its vigor and productivity. Topics covered include soil analysis, varietal selection, rooting cuttings, grafting and planting. The course also details the cultural practices in viticulture such as irrigation, fertilization, leaf removal, plowing, pruning, trellising, and phytosanitary treatments.
ENO621Wine Global Market and International Law
3 credits
This course provides students with insights into the nature, structure, functional mechanisms, and the complexities of the world's wine market, with emphasis on markets that are of strategic importance. Also, it examines key drivers in the world wine market and their impact on wine export dynamics and characteristics. In addition, the course highlights wine consumer behavioral aspects and successful marketing strategies employed in the wine consuming markets.
ENO525Wine Tasting and Sensory Evaluation
3 credits
This course identifies and describes basic tastes, aromas and flavors in wines using reference standards as well as a variety of types and styles of commercial wine. Through lectures and guided tastings and discussions, students will evaluate the sensory properties of wine using methods explained in class. In addition, students will come away with an objective and analytical approach to sensory evaluation. They will also gain an appreciation of the importance of sensory evaluation to a successful winemaking business.
ENO611Winemaking Technologies
3 credits
This course covers the practical aspects imposed in the processing of red wines (traditional and technological), white wines (dry and soft) and rosé wines (bleeding and press). This course details the preparation of juice / must, maceration steps, briefly the alcoholic and malolactic fermentation, aging in barrels, clarification, assemblies and the storage of finished product. The course also includes visits to wineries in Lebanon.
Capstone
GAA690AFinal Thesis
6 credits | Pre-requisite: STA515 And GAA615 And GAA511 And GAA513 And GAA520 And GAA523 And GAA611
The final thesis is an original endeavor in applied or fundamental research. It serves to synthesize, integrate and apply knowledge from earlier relevant courses in the program and to tackle significant genuine topics in agricultural engineering. The thesis demonstrates knowledge of the field and makes an innovative contribution to new theories and practices. It is designed and completed under the direction of a thesis supervisor according to Faculty guidelines and presented to an examining panel for defense.
Mission
The Master of Science in Food Engineering supports the mission statements of both the Department of Agri-Food Sciences and the School of Engineering through multidisciplinary teaching, learning and research activities in food science. The mission of the program is to produce socially and ethically responsible graduates who are leaders in dealing successfully with national and global food and health challenges and who will have a positive impact on their communities and the food industries for the betterment of the quality of human life.
Program Educational Objectives
Graduates will:
1. Invest the scientific and engineering skills acquired throughout their studies to meet the emerging challenges in the food industry.
2. Develop selflearning, practical proficiency and team work in food processing techniques and contribute effectively in multidisciplinary exploratory and production teams.
3. Produce safe food of high quality and nutritional values according to the latest national and international standards.
4. Innovate and design new products through the development of new processing techniques while considering their environmental effects and recycle food wastes.
Program Outcomes
Students will:
a. Apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering.
b. Design and conduct experiments, as well as analyze and interpret data.
c. Design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability.
d. Identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems.
e. Communicate effectively.
f. Acquire the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context.
g. Recognize the need for, and an ability to engage in lifelong learning.
h. Acquire a knowledge of contemporary issues.
i. Use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.