Programme description 

The Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries and Nutrition started to offer the B.Sc. Degree in Food Production and Technology Management (BScFPTM), a full-time study programme, from year 2009. Although there are several institutions offering food production related B.Sc. degrees, there is still a lack of qualified professionals in food production and technology management sector. Also, changes in environment, population pressures and degradation of farming lands have contributed to a global crisis in food security. Considering the Sri Lankan situation, it is evident that there is a vast potential to increase the food production sector in order to meet future challenges. BScFPTM degree exclusively related to the sciences related to primary production of food & its post harvest management and product development. The efficient use of primary produce by way of applying correct post harvest procedures and development of new food products to cater the fast changing food habits of people are new challenges ahead for the BScFPTM graduates.

Specialization

The students who follow BScFPTM course have options of specializing in Aquaculture & Fisheries and Livestock & Avian Sciences.

Learning outcomes

The graduates of BScFPTM degree will have knowledge and understanding on principles and application of aquatic, livestock and crop food primary production, characteristics and composition of major food materials, genetic composition of major aquatic, livestock & crop resources, eating qualities of food, post harvest management, the impact of food storage and processing, and relationships between food & human nutrition. Graduates will also have the knowledge, transferable and subject-specific skills, abilities and attitudes required to work in related areas.

Teaching approach

Lectures will introduce concepts; practical sessions including group work will foster in-depth understanding of the concepts. Field visits and industrial visits are conducted to provide hands-on experience and awareness about the practical situations. Placements in industry and institutions will ensure graduates can apply their knowledge appropriately in commercial enterprises, research or educational institutions, or in advisory and regulatory agencies. A variety of approaches such as group work involving problem based learning, solving case studies, class presentations, individual tutorials, and the undertaking of individual research projects will be used to develop intellectual skills. Opportunities to enhance transferable skills are incorporated into lectures, seminars and practical sessions involving group and individual work, project preparation and implementation.

Career opportunities for BScFPTM graduates

The subjects are flexible and demand driven considering the employability opportunities both locally and globally. The undergraduates will be mentored and guided into careers contributing to social, environmental and economic development. The extracurricular activities will bring about the personality, confidence and social responsibility and social etiquette of students and they will be a new genre of students that will bear the hallmarks of quality and relevance of undergraduate education. Hence, the graduates get the opportunity of finding employments in a range of different streams including closely related employments. In addition, self employability and supplementary income generating opportunities will ensure that the graduates fit in with the national and international requirements.

In addition, the graduates will be able to contribute to the disciplines of aquaculture, fisheries, livestock sciences, avian sciences, crop sciences, food science and other pure and applied life sciences, social and management sciences through research and postgraduate studies.

Admission requirement

In order to be eligible for admission to the BScFPTM degree programme, a candidate should have offered one of the following combinations of subjects at the GCE (Advanced Level) Examination and obtained at least ‘S’ grades in the subjects offered.

  1. Chemistry, Physics and Biology
  2. Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics, Biology or Agricultural Scienc
  3. Chemistry, Biology, Agricultural Science or Mathematics

(Source: wyb.ac.lk)