Today, many Food Science and Technology graduates in Australia and around the world are employed by the Food Industry in roles that demand leadership and strong scientific knowledge and an understanding of developing processed product formulations. To manage this complexity of the task, the industry has adopted the so-called 'sophisticated biomaterial approach' which involves understanding the molecular interactions of biopolymers (proteins and polysaccharides), small polyhydroxyl compounds like sugars and their substitutes such as polydextrose, edible fats and oils, along with their replacement like dietary fibre and counterions like salts that induce gelation.

Additionally, every year, a substantial volume of patent literature seeks to safeguard the industry's interest in this area by leveraging this specialised knowledge and its implications for the chemistry, structure, functionality, texture and QDA sensory evaluation of value-added commercial products. Based on this, the course aims to introduce students to the language and principles of rheology and texture in model biomaterials and related industrial formulations. This will then be discussed in conjunction with the principles of biophysics to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the observed rheological behaviour. Such an integrated approach will enhance your employment prospects and further support the Australian food industry and Food Sciences RMIT as a hub of innovation and quality control.

The content of the course has been identified to be of primary interest in the food science and technology programme at RMIT University, and the lecturers of the course have drawn from their considerable expertise, working with the food industry or research institutes (eg Unilever, Nestle, Sanitarium Health Foods Company, Montague fresh and CSIRO/FNS) to emphasize current issues and challenges pertaining to the subject.

This course includes a Work Integrated Learning experience in which your knowledge and skills will be applied and assessed in a real or simulated workplace context and where feedback from industry and/ or community is integral to your experience.