• University of Leeds

Food Science and Nutrition: From the Farm to You

Follow food’s fascinating journey from the farm to your body and explore new food technologies and nutrition around the world.

14,310 enrolled on this course

Food Science and Nutrition: From the Farm to You

14,310 enrolled on this course

  • 2 weeks

  • 2 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

  • Duration

    2 weeks
  • Weekly study

    2 hours
  • 100% online

    How it works
  • Unlimited subscription

    $244.99 for a whole yearLearn more

Discover the science of food and understand the value of nutrition in our diets

On this course, you’ll learn how food science and nutrition helps us to understand and study the fascinating world of food.

You’ll explore the food supply chain and learn how food processing can make food healthier.

You’ll examine how new food technologies are revolutionising food production and how new products are developed.

You’ll also explore how nutritional needs vary in different countries and how policies on nutrition are developed.

Through case studies, you’ll understand the importance of micro and macronutrients and explore what happens to food whilst it’s in your body.

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Syllabus

  • Week 1

    From farm to supermarket

    • Welcome

      Before you start, take some time to introduce yourself and share your reasons for studying this course.

    • Where does your food come from?

      Debate the importance of food processing and explore the four key food molecules.

    • 3D printing: A food revolution?

      3D printing: A food revolution?

      Investigate the 3D printing of food and discover how to develop a complex 3D design.

    • New Product Development

      New Product Development

      Explore how new food products are developed and have a go at designing your own food product.

    • Summary

      Summary

      To close this week, you can explore options for taking your studies further with the University of Leeds. You will also learn about the topics covered next week.

  • Week 2

    Food and you

    • About Week 2

      To begin the week, you will focus on food choice and explore how government policy on nutrition is developed. You will then study micronutrients in detail and observe how different molecules are absorbed by the body.

    • Eating with awareness

      Eating with awareness

      Explore some of the reasons why people choose to eat certain foods, debate what a ‘good’ or ‘bad’ food is, and investigate health initiatives from around the world.

    • Maintaining your health with micronutrients

      Maintaining your health with micronutrients

      Explore micronutrients in more depth, discover how polyphenol interacts with the body, and investigate how food interacts with the body.

    • Summary

      Test your understanding, and consider some possible next steps in your learning.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Explore the importance of food processing in the journey from farm to fork to understand how crops are converted into nutritious and appealing food items for consumers.
  • Evaluate the foundations of nutritional advice provided by governments by applying scientific knowledge about nutrition and considering factors that influence decision-making when it comes to food.
  • Analyse the biological pathways of digestion to discover how different nutrients travel and are absorbed by the body.
  • Apply New Product Development (NPD) principles to design a new food product that responds to a market need, which can also provide health benefits and appeal to the senses.

Who is the course for?

The course is part of the Going to University collection and completing it can help improve your university application by broadening your understanding of food science and nutrition and developing your independent learning skills.

The course can also be used as a teachers’ classroom enrichment resource.

The material could also be included in biology, chemistry, physics, or engineering classes.

Who will you learn with?

Mathew Francis

I am a Teaching Fellow in Food Science researching new methods of acoustic characterisation

Who developed the course?

University of Leeds

University of Leeds

As one of the UK’s largest research-based universities, the University of Leeds is a member of the prestigious Russell Group and a centre of excellence for teaching.

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$244.99 for a whole year

Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$54/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 18 Feb 2025

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

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  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

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  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
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Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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