Health and Food Technology Higher

SCQF Framework

SCQF Level: 6

SCQF Credit Points: 24

Skills Framework

Delivering Centre

Vale of Leven Academy

Purpose and Aims

  • The course allows candidates to develop and apply the knowledge and skills of research, analysis and evaluation in order to make informed food and dietary choices. Candidates develop their understanding of the properties of food in relation to food production, processing and the development of food products. The course uses an experiential, practical and problem-solving learning approach and promotes independence in learning. It uses real-life situations, and where appropriate, takes account of local, cultural, and media influences and technological innovations. The course has five broad and inter-related aims that enable candidates to:

 analyse the relationships between health, nutrition and food  develop and apply skills, knowledge and understanding related to the functional properties of food

 investigate contemporary issues affecting food and consumer choice

 use research, management and technological skills to plan, make and evaluate food products for a range of dietary and lifestyle needs

 prepare food using safe and hygienic practices to meet specific needs

Recommended Entry

Entry to this course is at the discretion of the centre. Candidates should have achieved the National 5 Health and Food Technology course or equivalent qualifications and/or experience prior to starting this course.

Progression

Advanced Higher Health and Food Technology course

 National Progression Awards

 other qualifications in hospitality or related areas at the same or different levels

 Higher National Certificates or other further education provision

 further study, employment and/or training

Career Options

Further Information

Course Content

Practical, experiential learning in relevant contexts encourages candidates to develop thinking and practical skills. Candidates:  develop and apply knowledge and understanding of the relationship between health, food and nutrition

 research a range of issues which affect consumer choice of food

 develop knowledge and understanding of the stages involved in developing a food product

 develop knowledge and understanding of the functional properties of a range of ingredients in food, and their use in developing food products

Course Assessment Structure

Question paper 60 marks

The question paper assesses candidates’ ability to integrate and apply skills, knowledge and understanding from across the course. The question paper gives candidates an opportunity to demonstrate the following skills, knowledge and understanding:

 analysing the relationship between health, food and nutrition

 understanding practical applications of the functional properties of ingredients

 understanding a range of contemporary issues influencing food choice

 applying understanding of the food product development process

The question paper has 60 marks out of a total of 120 marks for the course assessment. Setting, conducting and marking the question paper

The assignment has 60 marks out of a total of 120 marks for the course assessment

The assignment assesses the application of skills, knowledge and understanding from across the course through a problem-solving approach. Candidates use skills to research and analyse information regarding a food or consumer issue, and make a food product(s). The assignment gives candidates an opportunity to demonstrate the following skills, knowledge and understanding:

 applying a range of technological skills related to the production of a food product to meet specified health and/or consumer needs

 investigative and research skills

 organisational and management skills

 evaluation skills

Section 1: Planning Exploring the brief:

Candidates must identify and justify four key issues arising from the brief. Note: not all of these issues necessarily come directly from the wording of the brief. During their research, candidates must:

 carry out three investigations using at least two different research techniques to gather relevant information about each key issue identified from the brief

 clearly identify the sources of the information

 present the information

 identify the important points to develop the product from the information gathered

Section 2: The product Based on their research.

Candidates develop a food product to meet the requirements of the brief. They must:

 describe the food product

 identify and explain features, ingredients and cooking methods to be used in the food product

Section 3: Product testing Candidates make and evaluate the product they have developed, using safe and hygienic practices. Candidates must provide evidence of carrying out two appropriate tests, including one sensory test and one other test. Their evidence must include:

 methods of testing including the source(s) of the information  clearly presented results

 key information from the results of testing which can be used for evaluation

Section 4: Evaluation Candidates evaluate the suitability of the food product against the brief.

Candidates must provide:

 evaluative comments on the suitability of the food product based on the results of testing

 suggestions for adaptations, improvements or further developments, supported by: — experience of the development process, and/or — the results of sensory testing