North West University
Bachelor of Consumer Sciences in Food Product Management
The Bachelor of Consumer Sciences in Food Product Management in Health Professions is offered by North West University.
Program Length: 4 YEARS.
Bachelor of Consumer Sciences in Food Product Management offered by the North West University at the Faculty of Health Sciences
Purpose of qualification
The primary purpose of the four year non-professional Bachelor of Consumer Sciences in Food Product Management qualification is to provide graduates with a well-rounded, specialised education of the food product management discipline of consumer sciences. This will equip them with the knowledge base, theory and methodology of the aforementioned discipline of Consumer Sciences integrated with Business and Communication modules to enable them to demonstrate initiative and responsibility in an academic as well as a professional context. Graduates will also be prepared to either enter into general employment such as the food retail sector or the food industry. In addition, graduates can also apply for a postgraduate qualification such as the Masters of Consumers qualification.
Upon offering products/services according to consumers’ needs, various role-players are involved in the product cycle. Likewise, many different employment opportunities are available within this value chain of food either closer to the manufacturing/supply side or the consumer side. The internal programmes, namely food supply and food communication of this proposed qualification were specifically designed to deliver graduates with the purpose to specialise in either side of these chains of food.
This four year Bachelor of Consumer Sciences qualification offers a combination of core modules which consist mainly of food related modules, fundamental modules that consist mainly of economic and communication modules and elective modules that comprise of communication, marketing, economy, chemistry, nutrition modules where specialized theoretical and practical skills are mastered essential for the purpose to achieve the specific outcomes for this qualification. In addition, the support provided by the economic and communication modules will enable Consumer Scientists to be employed in the industry as specialists in the field of food retail management to improve the lives of South African consumers thereby making an important contribution to the SA economy and development.
Curriculum Outcomes
After completion of the qualification students should be competent to demonstrate:
- extensive integrated knowledge and engagement of the discipline of Consumer Sciences related to consumer behaviour concerning food products and resources and to critically evaluate and apply concepts, principles, theories, skills as well as research methodologies thereof;
- the ability to identify, investigate and critically analyse complex consumer issues by integrating different theories, skills and scientific resources in order to develop logical and innovative solutions to the South African consumer, retailers, manufacturers and communities concerning food products and resources in a professional, ethical and responsible manner;
- the ability to communicate consumer-related issues, innovative solutions and research findings verbally and orally in an academically correct and professional manner using different types of media and technologies to a range of audiences;
- the ability to work effectively as an individual and in a group as well as to manage a group while taking responsibility for self-regulated learning when studying food-related processes and systems in order for the individual and/or group to logically achieve the outcome of aiming to improve consumer well-being in varying contexts.
Duration
The duration of the study for this qualification is a minimum of four (4) years and a maximum of six (6) years
