1. What is the difference between the three programs offered by the SSMP?
Generally, graduates from the three programs in the SSMP will receive a Bachelor of Food Science with Honours in their convocation.
Food and Bioprocess Technology Program is more emphasis on science, chemistry, mathematics, physics and engineering in the syllabus and learning through a number of specific subjects such as Food Processing, Food Packaging, Food Product Development, Food Fermentation, Enzymes in Food Processing, Unit Operations in Food Processing, Food Engineering, Bakery and Confectionery Technology, also Meat and Seafood Technology.
Food Science and Nutrition Program are emphasizing on biological sciences such as chemistry and biochemistry, microbiology, health and relationships involving nutrition / diet and disease, anthropometric measurements and tables of dietary intakes, the calculation of caloric intake and energy consumption, diet modification and nutritional advice. This is clearly be seen through subject offered such as Human Nutrition, Nutrition in the Life Cycle, Community Nutrition, Molecular Nutrition, Food Habits and Nutrition Education, Diet Therapy, Dietetics, Food Service, Food Ingredients and Their Uses, also Food Toxicology.
Food Service Program emphasizes basic science knowledge in economy and management sciences includes biology, chemistry, and physics with emphasis on the knowledge of physicochemical effects of food, microbiology, and food ingredient used in the preparation of large quantities of food. At the same time, the program is concerned with food safety and quality of the activities of buying raw materials, storage, and to the generation of the final product; and targeted food economics that involves management of the kitchen and raw materials, marketing, and entrepreneurship. Among the main subjects offered for this program includes Eastern and Western Cooking, Commercial Food Preparation, Quantities Food Preparation, Food Service Entrepreneurship, Molecular Gastronomy, Menu Development, Food Service Operating System, Food Purchasing Quality and International Business.
2. What job opportunities for graduates from the SSMP?
Generally, graduates from the SSMP are eligible to apply for Food Technologist in the Ministry of Health Malaysia is located in two different sections with different task and responsibilities. Usually, candidate will sent to the State of Health Department under the section of Food Quality and Safety Section for enforcement activities, policy and management. Second, the placement at the Food Quality and Safety Laboratory, or the Public Health Laboratory under the Food Safety and Quality Section which require candidate responsible for analysis and tests of all types of food samples covering five major units: the Food Microbiology Unit, Unit of Industrial Pollution (Heavy Metals), Food Additives Unit, Veterinary Drug Residues Unit, and Pesticide Residues Unit.
Graduates from SSMP are also eligible to apply for job as Research Officer at any research institution of food-related such as the Malaysian Palm Oil Berhad (MPOB), the Cocoa Board, MARDI, FAMA and the like, or as instructor / teacher / educator at any tertiary education institutions such as Community Colleges, MARA Skills Institute (IKM), Agricultural Training Institute (ILP), Industrial Training Institute (ILP), Polytechnics, University of the Public and Private, or as teachers in schools through training schemes such as the Postgraduate Teaching Course (KPLI) or Diploma in Education.
SSMP graduates can also participate as an Officer of the Quality Control (QA / QC), or Chief Marketing Officer in the Food and Nutraceutical Products. SSMP graduates can also venture into the food management in the hospitality sector (tourism and hospitality), and become as food entrepreneurs.
3. Are there any opportunities for art students to apply for any program offered by the SSMP?
No. Recruitment of students to any program in the SSMP is for those from Pure Science stream only.
4. What is the minimum qualification required to apply for any program offered by the SSMP?
At least have a Matriculation Certificate (Physical Sciences / Life Sciences) from the Ministry of Education Malaysia (MOE), or Certificate of Foundation Studies in Science from the public's local Universities, or Malaysian Higher School Certificate (STPM) Science Stream or Diploma in Food Technology which is recognized by the Senate, or any other Diploma in relevant field of science, such as the Diploma in Science (UiTM), Diploma in Microbiology (UiTM), Diploma in Engineering (IPTA / Polytechnics).
5. Do SSMP provide credit transfer scheme for the candidates who have a Diploma in Food Technology?
Yes. But only limited transfer of credit does not exceed 1/3 credit hours from the total credit hours offered for the SSMP program with the grade of the subject applied for credit transfer at least grade B in the Diploma, as well as previous qualification (Diploma) not exceeding 5 years from the date application for credit transfer. To date, the credit transfer is not shorten the duration of 4 years (8 semesters) study in the SSMP.
6. Do SSMP will consider the application by the holder of a Diploma from Private Institutions (IPTS)?
Yes. Based on the current minimum qualifications Malaysia Certificate of Education (SPM) or Higher School Certificate (STPM) (if any), and field of study related Diploma and Diploma obtained most of the private education institutions (IPTS) must be recognized by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA ).
7. Are there any opportunities for students to convert program in UMS?
Yes. Whether the exchange program in the Faculty / School of the same or between the Faculty / School. Formal application must be made by students to the Dean's Office for processing and further actions.
8. Do SSMP provide an opportunity for prospective students for Second Semester intake?
Yes. Based on student quota for the existing programs such as the Food Technology and Bioprocess, and also Food Science and Nutrition is 100 students, respectively, while the Food Service program is a total of 30 students.
9. Do SSMP practice through Second Channel acquisition scheme for candidates who do not meet the minimum academic requirements, but has several years of work experience in a related field?
No. SSMP does not offering any programs through second channel for all the programs offered in the SSMP.
10. What is the grade for the needs of English or MUET test for applicants who wish to participate in any program offered by the SSMP?
To date, the eligibility test English (Malaysian University English Test, MUET) has not been determined specifically for each program in the SSMP. Above all, the prospective students took MUET test as a condition of application to university.
11. What is the difference between a Masters by coursework / Mixed Mode and Research? What are the advantages and disadvantages of them?
Master Degree refers to post-graduate academic qualifications, which is the academic route for students after completing a Bachelor Degree. There are several categories of mode of study, either;
a. Master by Coursework
- Only offered to students who achieve a minimum CGPA 3.0 and above for Bachelor level
- Students must maintain a minimum grade of B (3.00) for all subjects taken and / or CGPS and CGPA must be at least 3.00 for graduation
- Students are learning in class (lecture), through laboratory research, assignments and presentations, quizzes, laboratory reports and assignments, also will assess on their performance in midterm and final examination.
- Students also need to carry out research (dissertation) to qualify for a Masters degree awarded
- SSMP not offering this mode of study yet.
b. Master by Mixed Mode
- Not much difference with the course work, but frequently practices by Faculty of Medicine in certain areas involving clinical field of study.
- Not offered in SSMP
c. Masters by Research
There are two different categories;
i. Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
- oOffered to candidate with bachelor degree (related field) with a minimum CGPA 3.0 and above
- oConducted on Full Time only
- oDuration of study is 3 years (6 semesters)
- oPrivileges: After the second semester, students can apply for student registration exchange scheme to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) based on progress reports and the results and findings obtained from these research activities.
ii. Master of Science (MSc)
- oBasic qualifications, Bachelor Degree in Food Science or Food Technology with minimum CGPA is 2.80 and above
- oCan be register for Full-time (2-6 semester @ 1-3 years) or Part-time (4-10 semester @ 2-5 years)
Both categories of research offered in SSMP in certain specialized programs such as; Food Fermentation Technology, Food Processing and Product Development, Antimicrobial Characteristics and Natural Products, Food Safety and Quality, Postharvest Handling Technology, Pyhsicochemical Properties of Food, Food Analysis, Sensory Evaluation of Food, Flavour Science, Halal Food, Functional Food, Food Chemistry and Biochemistry, Nutritional Epidemiology, and Community Nutrition.
12. Do SSMP encourage applications from international students to participate in any program offered?
Yes. To date, there are few undergraduate students in the SSMP which are from China, Algeria, Kenya, and Vietnam. At the same time, SSMP had some international students from Indonesia and Malawi who are studying at postgraduate level.
13. Are graduates HS04 Food Science and Nutrition from the SSMP can and are eligible to apply for the position of Science Officer (Nutrition) in the government sector?
At the beginning of graduation years, graduates from the program HS04 Food Science and Nutrition, SSMP appointed to the position of Science Officer (Nutrition), Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH). At the same time, there are also graduates who are appointed to the position Food Technologist (PTM), which is also in MOH despite the different job descriptions for both positions.
Started in 2006 - 2009, recruitment to the post of Scientific Officer (Nutrition) showed a decline, which is an average of the reasons given are insufficient credits to graduate HS04 Food Science and Nutrition from SSMP (majoring in Food Science, minor in Nutrition), which reflects the mismatch to such posts.
In 2010, there were changes in recruitment policy Science Officer (Nutrition) at the Ministry of Health after the Nutrition Society of Malaysia (NSM) to formulate rules that specify the position of Science Officer (Nutrition) may only be offered to graduates majoring in Nutrition, as a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Nutrition from UKM, Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Nutrition and Community Health from UPM and others.
14. Do SSMP provide any food-related programs at the Diploma level?
No. So far, Diploma in Food Technology is offered by the Polytechnic Sultan Ahmad Shah (POLISAS), Kuantan, Pahang, and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Shah Alam campus. At the same time, UiTM Shah Alam offers several food-related diploma programs such as Diploma in Food Service and Diploma in Culinary Arts.
15. Do SSMP taking qualifications at the certificate level such as Certificate of Food Technology / Food Processing and Quality Control / Agro Product Processing Technology from Polytechnic / College Community / Agricultural Training Institute as an entry qualification to a Bachelor in SSMP?
No. To those having certificate qualifications, you are encouraged to further studies to Diploma level, and after that apply to undertake new studies to degree level.
16. Do SSMP provide other programs in the Part-time mode?
No. The three undergraduate programs offered in the SSMP only for full-time mode, except for post-graduate (MSc or PhD) by Research can be registered in Part Time.
