Food Science Industry Projects
Timeline
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September 5, 2025Experience start
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September 12, 2025Meet with Industry Partner
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October 28, 2025Research Proposal
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November 4, 2025Budget Submission/Approval
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April 3, 2026Final Presentation
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May 1, 2026Final Reports + Project Invoices
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May 1, 2026Experience end
Timeline
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September 5, 2025Experience start
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September 12, 2025Meet with Industry Partner
Students meet virtually with the Faculty Supervisor, Industry Partner, and Graduate Student Teaching Assistant, to become acquainted and to discuss the project goals, budget, and other important information.
-
October 28, 2025Research Proposal
Students submit second draft of their research proposal to their faculty supervisor for approval before they begin ordering supplies. Industry Partners are welcome to read the research proposal or alternatively, students can summarize in an e-mail their experimental plans and the Industry Partner can provide feedback.
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November 4, 2025Budget Submission/Approval
Students will send a budget to their industry partner to approve before they begin ordering supplies. Most projects cost $500 - $2000 depending on the scope.
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April 3, 2026Final Presentation
Students will present their final results in-person and over zoom.
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May 1, 2026Final Reports + Project Invoices
Industry receive the final reports + raw data + project invoice.
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May 1, 2026Experience end
Experience scope
Categories
Biotechnology Product or service launch Scientific researchSkills
writing presentation skills data analysis research scientific literature reviewStudents will spend over 200 hours on research and experimentation, to solve a specific objective set out by the food, supplement, or drink producer.
Learners
- 20+ page final document containing literature review, methodology, results and discussion, and conclusion
- All project raw data
- Frequent project updates
- Oral presentation at end of year that industry partners are welcome to intend (in-person or virtually). Recordings also available.
Project timeline
-
September 5, 2025Experience start
-
September 12, 2025Meet with Industry Partner
-
October 28, 2025Research Proposal
-
November 4, 2025Budget Submission/Approval
-
April 3, 2026Final Presentation
-
May 1, 2026Final Reports + Project Invoices
-
May 1, 2026Experience end
Timeline
-
September 5, 2025Experience start
-
September 12, 2025Meet with Industry Partner
Students meet virtually with the Faculty Supervisor, Industry Partner, and Graduate Student Teaching Assistant, to become acquainted and to discuss the project goals, budget, and other important information.
-
October 28, 2025Research Proposal
Students submit second draft of their research proposal to their faculty supervisor for approval before they begin ordering supplies. Industry Partners are welcome to read the research proposal or alternatively, students can summarize in an e-mail their experimental plans and the Industry Partner can provide feedback.
-
November 4, 2025Budget Submission/Approval
Students will send a budget to their industry partner to approve before they begin ordering supplies. Most projects cost $500 - $2000 depending on the scope.
-
April 3, 2026Final Presentation
Students will present their final results in-person and over zoom.
-
May 1, 2026Final Reports + Project Invoices
Industry receive the final reports + raw data + project invoice.
-
May 1, 2026Experience end
Project Examples
Requirements
Students will work in groups of 3 or 4 to develop a research proposal to solve a specific objective set out by the food, supplement, or drink producer. Students develop hypotheses, perform a literature review, devise an experimental plan, and then execute experiments followed by data analyses, all the while being supported with expertise from faculty supervisors and UBC's Food Science research facilities.
Prior to starting their experiments, students will develop and submit a budget that has been approved by their industry sponsor.
This project will run over two semesters:
- In the first semester of the course students will become acquainted with their company and faculty supervisors, submit a research proposal, complete a budget, and order supplies.
- During the second semester students will execute their experimental plans leading to a final written report and oral presentation of their results.
Past project examples have included:
- Impact of various natural antioxidants on lipid oxidation in snack bars
- Effect of cocoa bean roasting time and temperature on polyphenol levels in chocolate
- Investigation of most effective prebiotics for specific probiotic strains in yogurt
- Determination of wild yeast strains that produce desirable wine characteristics
Additional company criteria
Companies must answer the following questions to submit a match request to this experience:
Meet with students virtually preferably on Fri, Sept 12th, 2025 between 2 and 5 pm to become acquainted and to finalize the project’s focus and objectives. It is critical that a meeting be scheduled this week so that students do not fall behind in the course.***
Make an effort to support students by providing feedback on their research design and attending their final presentation virtually
Respond to student e-mails in a timely manner (within 2-3 business days) to avoid delays in the project’s progress.
Approve the project’s proposed budget drafted by the students. While the cost of each project differs depending on the scope, most fall around $500 - $2000.
Pay an invoice at the end of term (April 2026) for consumables (media, plastic, chemicals, equipment usage fees etc.) used in the project. Some equipment and all glassware will be provided by UBC.
Review and sign a UBC Industry Partner Non-Disclosure form.
Timeline
-
September 5, 2025Experience start
-
September 12, 2025Meet with Industry Partner
-
October 28, 2025Research Proposal
-
November 4, 2025Budget Submission/Approval
-
April 3, 2026Final Presentation
-
May 1, 2026Final Reports + Project Invoices
-
May 1, 2026Experience end
Timeline
-
September 5, 2025Experience start
-
September 12, 2025Meet with Industry Partner
Students meet virtually with the Faculty Supervisor, Industry Partner, and Graduate Student Teaching Assistant, to become acquainted and to discuss the project goals, budget, and other important information.
-
October 28, 2025Research Proposal
Students submit second draft of their research proposal to their faculty supervisor for approval before they begin ordering supplies. Industry Partners are welcome to read the research proposal or alternatively, students can summarize in an e-mail their experimental plans and the Industry Partner can provide feedback.
-
November 4, 2025Budget Submission/Approval
Students will send a budget to their industry partner to approve before they begin ordering supplies. Most projects cost $500 - $2000 depending on the scope.
-
April 3, 2026Final Presentation
Students will present their final results in-person and over zoom.
-
May 1, 2026Final Reports + Project Invoices
Industry receive the final reports + raw data + project invoice.
-
May 1, 2026Experience end