88173 - Exercises on Application of Unit Operations

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course of "Practices of Applications of Unit Operations" the student knows the practical applications of the main unit operations in food technologies and their effects on characteristics of food products.

Course contents

The course is organized in presentation of theoretical concepts and study in-depth from literature (by practice exercices developed by single/group of students) related to selected subjects and case-studies.

Introduction of the teacher, explanation on aims and topics, timing of lessons, modality of final exam.

Modes and tools for the scientific literature research.

Introduction and classification of food technology processes and operation units, critical variables, Hurdle Technology.

The operations and processes in Food Technology: purposes and effects on the food product. Phisical, chemical and biological approaches for food preservation with examples.

Ingredients with technological functionality. Food additives: properties, legal and safety requirements. Functional categories of food additives. Food flavors and enzymes: use, definitions, regulations. Examples of the use of additives, flavors, and enzymes in the formulation of food products.

During the course the attendence to a CIBUS TEC exhibition in Parma is expected.

Readings/Bibliography

Electronic version (pdf) of lessons is furnished by teacher (Virtual Learning Environment platform).

For consultation/detailed study on specific topics:

Carlo Pompei, Operazioni Unitarie della Tecnologia Alimentare, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana (Milano), Ed. 2009, ristampa 2012.

Singh, Heldman, Principi di tecnologia alimentare, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana (Milano), prima edizione 2015.

P.J. Fellows, Food processing Technology - Principles and Practice, Fifth Edition 2022. Woodehead Publishing Limited, Elsevier.

Rodolfo Paoletti, Andrea Poli, Vittorio Silano, Additivi alimentari nell’Unione Europea, 2021, Chiriotti Editore.

Teaching methods

Theorethical lectures and practical exercises (discussion of information/data by scientific literature): each session in the computer lab is organized so that about half of the available time is spent on a lecture, and the remaining half on group work activities to prepare the assignments that will be assessed in the final evaluation.

In order to improve the level of student learning on the course contents the attendance to lessons and practical experiences is recommended (but not compulsory).

The certification of health and safety training (module 1 and module 2 in e-learning mode) is requested to students participating in praticals in computer lab.  

Assessment methods

The knowledge and skills taught in this course will be evaluated by:

Oral presentations of two reports prepared during the classroom group exercises (which must be uploaded on Virtuale) with links to the topics of the program.

The evaluation considers criteria such as: knowledge of the program content, the ability to make logical and deductive connections between topics, the ability to apply the acquired knowledge to case studies addressed during the exercises, critical analysis skills, the use of correct language and appropriate technical terminology, and the visual clarity and conciseness of the report.

Final grade scale:

- Knowledge of a limited number of program contents, ability to make connections and critical analysis appears only with the teacher’s help, expression with generally correct language → 18-20;

- Partial knowledge of program contents, sufficient ability to make connections and critical analysis, expression with correct language → 21-24;

- Comprehensive knowledge of program contents, good ability to make connections and critical analysis, mastery of specific terminology → 25-29;

- Comprehensive knowledge of program contents, excellent ability to make connections and critical analysis, full mastery of specific terminology and ability to argue and self-reflect → 30-30L.

The use of AI is prohibited, any use constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

The final grade of the integrated course of Unit Operations and Applications will be calculated as as mean value of scores reached in the two modules of Unit Operations (6 CFU) and Practices of Application of Unit Operations (3 CFU).

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

To support the teaching: blackboard, PC, projector, students labs, computers lab will be used (electronic material for lessons on Virtual Learning Environment platform); practicals and visits.

Office hours

See the website of Alessandra Bendini