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MFPI Internship (FOOD90036)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 25Off Campus

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Overview

Availability
Summer Term - Off Campus
Semester 1 - Off Campus
Semester 2 - Off Campus
FeesLook up fees

This subject is designed to provide current insight and exposure into key issues, challenges and logistical matters that face the food industry in the area of innovation and improvement design. Innovation may be, but is not limited to, new product development, marketing, consumer insights, research, packaging design and process technology. Through attending industry workshops and the internship program students will experience 'real-life' situations that are associated with food innovation, the key components driving innovation in this industry and major hurdles that need to be addressed. Students will gain an appreciation of the processes and constraints behind innovation and how resources can be managed to drive the process of change. This internship is not designed to be “work-experience”, but rather allows students to understand the decision making process and practical application while working in a project of relevance to the company they are based in. This experience aims to provide students a holistic experience in which the need for networking, collaboration and team-work are highlighted while allowing them the opportunity to develop their own identity so that they can decide how best they can market themselves in a dynamic, non-linear, innovative food industry.

Students will be responsible for identifying a suitable work placement prior to the semester. Application for credit need to be submitted via the Internships Portal at least 3 weeks prior to internship commencement and within the Key Dates mentioned on the website. More information is available on the subject webpage here: https://science.unimelb.edu.au/students/plan-your-study/internship-subjects. If you have problems finding a placement you should contact the Careers and Industry team in the Faculty of Science with hyperlink of this form https://forms.your.unimelb.edu.au/4747166?SID=a3xOY000000018z 

  • This Internship subject is only available to current students admitted into the MC-FOODPI Master of Food Packaging & Innovation.

Intended learning outcomes

Upon completion of this subject students should be able to:

  • demonstrate advanced knowledge and skills in the interdisciplinary field of packaging materials and processes
  • develop the cognitive, technical and creative skills necessary to underpin understanding of recent innovations in packaging materials and processing
  • investigate and apply innovative approaches to the contemporary, interdisciplinary management of commercial food systems
  • demonstrate a critical understanding of environmental, economic, social and ethical factors related to packaging materials and processes with the cognitive, technical and creative skills necessary to communicate the information to a specialist and non-specialist audience

Generic skills

Students in this subject should:

  • Develop an ability to derive, interpret and analyse technical or economic information from primary and other sources toward optimal solutions in packaging materials and processes
  • Enhance capacity for creativity and innovative thinking, through the application of skills and knowledge
  • Develop ability to solve problems in applied industry situations
  • Further advance oral and written communication skills to allow informed dialogue, written solutions to problems and presenting findings to industry, government, peers and the community
  • To better understand social and cultural diversity and environmental implications in making decisions regarding packaging materials and processes
  • Further enhance capacity to manage small design projects with particular attention to planning, time management and team development skills

Last updated: 6 November 2025