FST001 - Marianne in Faculty of Science (Food Science and Technology), NUS

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Heya out there, I am Marianne, in the Faculty of Science, and majoring in Food Science and Technology Programme, Class of 2015 (because I am not planning to do honours) The reason why I chose this course is because it was the closest thing, and the only thing, that I could get a degree in which was related to food. I love cooking and I wanted to be a chef and I am interested in Microgastronomy!

What were your favourite subjects/modules back in Junior College/Polytechnic?

Something that I have to explain to you guys is that I am the epitome of the phrase “Jack of All Trades” I was fair in everything and was terrible in everything. I liked Maths the most because it was more absolute than anything else. 

What inspired you to study Food Science and Technology?

Like I said earlier, I wanted to be a chef, but I had to get a degree because this is Singapore. The only food degree you can get is Food Science and Technology, so I went at it with everything I had.

What are the challenges in pursuing a degree in Food Science and Technology? Despite all these challenges, why did you choose to study it anyway?

The two largest ones are getting in, and time management. It’s a highly competitive course and it was difficult to be even considered. If you’re not listed for the first intake, don’t worry and wait for the second intake. The major thing they look out for are your bio and chem grades. If you’re a physics student and interested in applying, please go ahead and do so. There are physics elements in this course, but you will be placed under a probationary period in your first semester to make sure you can cope with the bio modules. There is no other option for me, so if this was my lot in life I was going to deal with it. It’s not easy because it’s not what I thought it was, but I’m trying to cope.
Time management is key in all university courses but more so in FST because what they don’t tell you going in is that you have a huge industrial attachment module in your last semester worth 8 modular credits (MCs). You need 120MCs to graduate with a general degree, 160MCs to graduate with an honours degree. So, if you do your math, 6 semesters, which would mean 20 MC’s per semester. Each module you take would be an average of 4MCs, which means 5 modules/semester for regular students. BUT, because of the industrial attachment that is only 8MCs and takes up your WHOLE semester, you will have to overload other semesters, ie, take one more module than everyone else for 3 semesters, OR go for summer programmes over your break, which constitute 8MCs. Doing an extra module every sem can kill you if you don’t pick the right modules or if you don’t manage your time. 

What is a typical day in FST like?

I won’t describe a typical day, because it would depend on your electives. But a typical week with 6 modules would be a long one. Expect very long days that start early and end late, (8am to 6pm days are not unheard of). FST has one of the most lab modules compared to other majors, so be prepared to do a lot of lab reports, up to an average of one a week. Your electives would probably constitute anything from group projects, reports, presentations etc, so please be prepared to have a hectic lifestyle. Plan your timetable properly such that you have proper times to eat and gaps between lessons. Having 6 hours of continuous lessons is highly not recommended. Don’t be afraid to go to school everyday, because forcing a free day in your week could be damaging to your sanity on other days.

What is the nature of module/course/work? Content-heavy? Practical skills? Group work? Self-reading?

FST core modules alone can be very taxing already. To bio lovers out there, this course is NOT nutrition based. What that means is that there are more chemistry elements and physics elements than bio ones. True, there are a lot of bio modules to take, but don’t discount the importance of having a slight physics background. I lack any physics background whatsoever and I struggle with several modules. Most of the time you’ll need textbooks, but your professors will tell you if it’s really important to have them. Most of the stuff can be found in the library, but things unique to FST, you should buy yourself. Lab skills are important, because there are lab modules, which will test you on techniques. In FST lab, (we have our own AIRCONDITIONED LAB), you will have partners to do your experiments with, but you do lab reports individually. There WILL be group work in FST, from the get go to the very end so please be prepared. Self-reading should be done OTOT (own time own target). If there’s something you don’t understand please read the textbook. I normally go for lectures, and then read the textbook to solve anything I don’t understand in lectures.

Is this your first choice? If not, what were your other choices and why?

This was my first and only choice. My other option (in my head) was to go to culinary school.

What do you plan to do with your degree? What are the career prospects with the degree?

I don’t actually plan to do much with my degree except use it to get a job in one of the food companies to earn some monehs first, before starting to work in the food industry and start my own restaurant. This is a relatively niche degree, and your prospects do not include nutritionist. There isn’t much lecturing to do except in maybe biology or chemistry. The food industry will never die, so don’t worry. The only thing I have to say is that this job could take you elsewhere, because the food engineering opportunities are larger out there.

What you should know before embarking on a degree in FST?

It’s a lot of work, and you’ll keep finding out more things. But here’s a list. 

1.   Chemistry Labs are not air conditioned 

2.   You need to buy 2 different lab coats and lab goggles. A food grade lab coat (to be used in the food lab only) and a chemical one that can be used in life science and chemistry labs. 

3.   You will need to overload (take one extra module every sem) 

4.   There IS a 6MC module in your curriculum, which means that you need to fulfill an extra of only 10 MCs. So overload 2 semesters and go for a 2MC overseas trip.  

5.   Make good friends with seniors, they’re the key source of information as to how this course will go. So please… GO FOR ORIENTATION CAMP. 

6.   Make friends with everyone, you’ll need each other; it’s only a small class. 

7.   This course is not all FST modules. There are a lot of basic chemistry and biology modules to fulfill before the bulk of the FST stuff comes in. 

8.   This course is not nutrition based, there is a nutrition elective, but the bulk of it is geared toward the “engineering” side of things.

That’s it you guys! Hope you find it helpful! Post a question on the ‘Contact Us’ page and I’ll answer it!