Food and Water Science
UndergraduateLTU-PHE30162026
Course information for 2026 intake
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 22 Feb 2026
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Start dates
- 2 Mar 2026
- Price from
- $2,174
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Food and Water Science
About this subject
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Critically analyse the role of water and food quality management within environmental health practice.
- Review the health implications associated with food and water and assess common approaches used to minimise these impacts.
- Apply HACCP and other risk-based frameworks to evaluate food and water safety.
- Identify and apply regulatory requirements for food and water safety.
- Introduction to food and water science
- Food safety hazards and hazard analysis
- Food safety controls and critical limits
- Food safety planning
- Food safety risk assessment
- Legislative frameworks for food safety
- Sampling and surveillance
- Safe drinking water
- Water quality in non-potable waters
- Wastewater management
This subject draws attention to the impact of food and water systems on human health. You will learn about the nature of the aquatic environment, chemical, biological, and physical processes and how these may be unbalanced by human activity and subsequently affect human health. Adopting a multi-disciplinary approach, you will then examine the basics of food science, the chemistry and biology of food using a HACCP framework, food handling procedures and processes including sample collection for analysis, the scientific basis for modern processing techniques used to extend the shelf life and maintain safety of different foods, chemical and microbial spoilage and contamination of food and factors affecting spoilage (pathogenic organisms and microbial toxins), allergens, basic scientific principles for food preservation, and hygienic strategy and legislation.
- Multiple choice and short answer quiz (equivalent to 750 words) (20%)
- Food and water regulatory requirements written report (equivalent to 1,500 words) (40%)
- Evaluation of food or water safety written report (equivalent to 1,500 words) (40%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
The third university established in Victoria, La Trobe University has a diverse community of more than 38,000 students and staff. Its commitment to excellence in teaching and research prepares students to make a bold and positive impact in today's global community. La Trobe provides Open Universities Australia with its core tenets, entrepreneurship and sustainability.
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- 17
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- 16
Entry requirements
Prior study
You must either have successfully completed the following subject(s) before starting this subject, or currently be enrolled in the following subject(s) in a prior study period; or enrol in the following subject(s) to study prior to this subject:
Please note that your enrolment in this subject is conditional on successful completion of these prerequisite subject(s). If you study the prerequisite subject(s) in the study period immediately prior to studying this subject, your result for the prerequisite subject(s) will not be finalised prior to the close of enrolment. In this situation, should you not complete your prerequisite subject(s) successfully you should not continue with your enrolment in this subject. If you are currently enrolled in the prerequisite subject(s) and believe you may not complete these all successfully, it is your responsibility to reschedule your study of this subject to give you time to re-attempt the prerequisite subject(s).
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
UndergraduateLAT-ART-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-HSC-DEG
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Health Sciences
UndergraduateLAT-AHS-DEG
Bachelor of Psychological Science
UndergraduateLAT-PYS-DEG
Bachelor of Information Technology
UndergraduateLAT-TEC-DEG
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