FOOD20006 Food Microbiology and Safety
University of Melbourne · Level 2 · 12.5 points · Runs in 2026: Semester 2.
- Final exam 50%
- About 4.5 class hours a week
Is FOOD20006 hard?
FOOD20006: About average.
What you learn
Microbes in food: spoilage, food poisoning, fermentation, growth modelling and food safety risk.
After it you can
- Identify microbes with a light microscope
- Handle and count microbes in food samples
- Assess food safety risks from microbes
What you need first
(AGRI10050 or BIOL10002 or BIOL10008 or BIOL10009) and (AGRI10051 or BIOL10010 or BIOL10011 or BIOM10002)
- AGRI10050 Agricultural Systems Biology
- BIOL10002 Biomolecules and Cells
- BIOL10008 Foundational Biology: Life's Machinery
- AGRI10051 Genetics for Agriculture
- BIOL10010 Foundational Biology: Life's Complexity
- BIOL10011 Biology: Life's Complexity
- BIOM10002 Exploring Biomedicine
What it leads to
How it’s assessed
Assignments 25%, Tests 25%, Final exam 50%
Student reviews and ratings
Summarised from 9 students on StudentVIP (2013–2024)
- Opinions are split: some call it an easy WAM booster, others found exams marked harshly with low averages.
- Several 2021-22 reviews mention slow replies, limited feedback and missing practice exams; the 2024 review was more positive.
- Case-study short answers carry many marks and need lab knowledge; the video/essay assignment is marked more leniently.
- Lectures are short and easy to follow; pracs are repetitive bacterial culturing.
A summary of public reviews, not scored here.
Taken this subject? Rate it anonymously (difficulty, workload, marking, would you recommend it) and leave a tip for next year's students. Rate FOOD20006
Quick answers
- When is FOOD20006 offered?
- Runs in 2026: Semester 2.
- What do I need before taking FOOD20006?
- Needs (AGRI10050 or BIOL10002 or BIOL10008 or BIOL10009) and (AGRI10051 or BIOL10010 or BIOL10011 or BIOM10002).
- Does FOOD20006 have a final exam?
- Yes, the final exam is 50% of the mark. Assessment: Assignments 25%, Tests 25%, Final exam 50%.
- Is FOOD20006 hard?
- From 9 student reviews on StudentVIP: Opinions are split: some call it an easy WAM booster, others found exams marked harshly with low averages.
- What do students say about FOOD20006?
- Opinions are split: some call it an easy WAM booster, others found exams marked harshly with low averages. Several 2021-22 reviews mention slow replies, limited feedback and missing practice exams; the 2024 review was more positive. Case-study short answers carry many marks and need lab knowledge; the video/essay assignment is marked more leniently.
- How many class hours a week does FOOD20006 have?
- 4.5 h a week in class
- Can I take FOOD20006 as breadth?
- Yes, for: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Design, Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art), Bachelor of Music.
- What can I take after FOOD20006?
- 2 subjects need it first, for example FOOD30007, FOOD30009.
- Can I rate FOOD20006?
- Yes. If you've taken it, rate it anonymously on this page (difficulty, workload, marking, would you recommend it) and leave a tip for next year's students. Averages show once 3 students have rated it; tips are checked before they appear.
Source: University of Melbourne Handbook 2026
Always confirm in the official Handbook.
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