This is a two year part-time or one year full-time postgraduate taught programme co-offered by the Departments of Biology and Chemistry. The purpose of this programme is to train and disseminate knowledge and know-how to a diverse group of people: those working for the food industries, government, research or non-profit organisations in the agriculture food chain who carry responsibility for the control of different aspects of food safety in Hong Kong, Mainland China and other countries.

The programme emphasises both theory and practical experience of relevant techniques for food analysis and monitoring. It equips students with practical skills to enhance their immediate competitiveness in a career related to emerging areas of food product analysis, food surveillance, food safety management, and food risk assessment.

Part-time and full-time students will be required to spend two evenings (about six–nine hours per week) and four evenings (about twelve–fifteen hours per week) respectively on lectures. In addition, students have to devote one Saturday or weekday, every or alternate week, to laboratory and dissertation. As an integral part of a professional training process, each student is also required to complete an independent dissertation related to food analysis and food safety management.

Student may apply for an interim award of postgraduate diploma if they cannot complete all the programme requirements for reasons deemed acceptable to the Programme Board. To qualify for the postgraduate diploma, students will need to have completed a minimum of 18 units of core courses except for the Dissertation. Grade attained for all the courses must be C- or above and the cumulative GPA should be 2.50 or above. Students with the interim award have the option of surrendering the postgraduate diploma and returning to complete the programme for the MSc degree within five years of obtaining the interim award.

The programme consists of 27 units, which include 24 units of core courses and 3 units of elective courses.