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Rebecca Bleibaum
Did you know there's a science behind the flavors, textures, and aromas of the foods we eat, and why our favorite products look, feel, and smell the way that they do? In this course, we will provide a broad overview of the field of sensory science - its history, definition, and applications in academic research and in the consumer-packaged goods industry. We’ll also discuss how sensory science impacts other industries, including the medical sciences and information processing. We will also explore the roles of sensory evaluation in relation to the human instrument, marketing, product development, and quality assurance. Whether you are interested in better understanding your favorite foods or looking to expand your knowledge of the sensory sciences, this course is an excellent place to start.
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What's inside
Syllabus
Introduction to Sensory Science
In this module, we will explore the history of sensory science, provide a definition of sensory science, and describe the array of senses involved in our studies. We will also discuss the disciplines involved in the study of sensory science and describe three testing methods. Let's get started.
Read more
Syllabus
Introduction to Sensory Science
In this module, we will explore the history of sensory science, provide a definition of sensory science, and describe the array of senses involved in our studies. We will also discuss the disciplines involved in the study of sensory science and describe three testing methods. Let's get started.
Read more
Basic Sensory Research
Where does sensory science fit into the world from a broader perspective? In this module, we will discuss the various applications of basic sensory research and how it impacts our work. We will also discuss how sensory science impacts the medical sciences, communication and information processing industries. We will end this module with a discussion on transduction and how nutrition plays a role in sensory research. Let's begin.
Roles of Sensory Evaluation
The more we understand about how the human works, the more we understand about our data collection instrument — people. In this module, we will discuss the roles of sensory evaluation in relation to the human instrument, grading, and quality assurance. Let's begin.
Roles of Sensory Evaluation, Part 2
In this final module, we will continue our discussion on the roles of sensory evaluation in relation to chemical/physical properties, product development in both food and non-food products. This module will end with an optional podcast conversation with Dr. Herbert Stone. Let's wrap things up.
Good to know
Good to know
Know what's good ,
what to watch for , and
possible dealbreakers
Examines the sensory science behind the flavors, textures, and aromas of our favorite products, providing a foundation for understanding the food we eat
Develops critical thinking skills as learners explore how human senses impact food and product development
taught by Rebecca Bleibaum, an experienced sensory scientist with a proven track record in the field
Best suited for individuals interested in the food sciences, health, and consumer preferences
May require additional resources or textbooks for a more comprehensive understanding of the subject
Save this course
Save Introduction to Sensory Science to your list so you can find it easily later:
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Activities
Be better prepared
before
your course. Deepen your understanding
during
and
after
it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered
in Introduction to Sensory Science with these
activities:
Review Techniques in Food Product Design
Show steps
Review the concepts related to food product design to ensure you're ready for the course
Browse courses on
Product Design
Show steps
-
Review your notes from a previous course on product design.
-
Review the textbook for this course and identify all chapters related to food product design.
-
Focus on the chapters that cover the concepts of taste, texture, and appearance.
Sensory Evaluation Practice Exercises
Show steps
Engage in sensory evaluation exercises to develop your sensory evaluation skills and enhance your ability to analyze and interpret sensory data.
Browse courses on
Sensory Evaluation
Show steps
-
Gather a variety of food or non-food products for sensory evaluation.
-
Design and conduct sensory evaluation experiments using different sensory testing methods.
-
Analyze and interpret sensory data using statistical techniques and sensory evaluation software.
Sensory Science Research Proposal
Show steps
Develop a research proposal to design and conduct a sensory science research study, allowing you to apply the principles and techniques learned in this course.
Show steps
-
Identify a research question that aligns with your interests and the course material.
-
Conduct a literature review to gather background information and identify related research.
-
Design a research methodology, including sensory evaluation methods, data collection procedures, and statistical analysis plan.
-
Write a research proposal outlining your research question, methods, and expected outcomes.
Show all three activities
Review Techniques in Food Product Design
Show steps
Review the concepts related to food product design to ensure you're ready for the course
Browse courses on
Product Design
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Review your notes from a previous course on product design.
- Review the textbook for this course and identify all chapters related to food product design.
- Focus on the chapters that cover the concepts of taste, texture, and appearance.
Sensory Evaluation Practice Exercises
Show steps
Engage in sensory evaluation exercises to develop your sensory evaluation skills and enhance your ability to analyze and interpret sensory data.
Browse courses on
Sensory Evaluation
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Gather a variety of food or non-food products for sensory evaluation.
- Design and conduct sensory evaluation experiments using different sensory testing methods.
- Analyze and interpret sensory data using statistical techniques and sensory evaluation software.
Sensory Science Research Proposal
Show steps
Develop a research proposal to design and conduct a sensory science research study, allowing you to apply the principles and techniques learned in this course.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify a research question that aligns with your interests and the course material.
- Conduct a literature review to gather background information and identify related research.
- Design a research methodology, including sensory evaluation methods, data collection procedures, and statistical analysis plan.
- Write a research proposal outlining your research question, methods, and expected outcomes.
Show all three activities
Career center
Learners who complete Introduction to Sensory Science will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Sensory Analyst
Sensory Analyst
Sensory Science is an excellent foundational course for those who are interested in pursuing a career as a Sensory Analyst. This course provides training in sensory science, including how to evaluate and analyze the sensory properties of foods and other products. These skills are essential for Sensory Analysts who use sensory evaluation to collect and analyze data about consumer preferences and product quality. The **Roles of Sensory Evaluation** and **Roles of Sensory Evaluation, Part 2** modules are besonders relevant to this career.
Food Product Developer
Food Product Developer
Sensory Science is a foundational course for anyone working in the food industry. If you are interested in a Food Product Developer career, this course will give you a solid foundation in sensory science including training in how to evaluate and analyze the sensory properties of foods and other products. It also has modules on **Roles of Sensory Evaluation** and **Roles of Sensory Evaluation, Part 2**, which will teach you about sensory evaluation in relation to product development. With this training, you will be well-prepared for a career in Food Product Development.
Quality Assurance Manager
Quality Assurance Manager
Individuals interested in a career as a Quality Assurance Manager may find that taking the Sensory Science course could be very helpful. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the field of sensory science, including training in how to evaluate and analyze the sensory properties of foods and other products. The course also includes modules on **Roles of Sensory Evaluation** and **Roles of Sensory Evaluation, Part 2**. These modules will teach you about the roles of sensory evaluation in relation to grading, quality assurance, chemical/physical properties, and product development. This knowledge could be very helpful in your career as a Quality Assurance Manager.
Dietitian/Nutritionist
Dietitian/Nutritionist
Those interested in a career as a Dietitian/Nutritionist may find that Sensory Science would be a very helpful course. The course provides a broad overview of the field of sensory science, including training in how to evaluate and analyze the sensory properties of foods and other products. This course also has a module on **Basic Sensory Research** that will teach you about how sensory science impacts nutrition. As a Dietitian/Nutritionist, you could work with clients to help them make healthy eating choices. Sensory evaluation plays a role in nutrition, and understanding this concept could make you a more effective Dietitian/Nutritionist.
Product Manager
Product Manager
Sensory Science would be a valuable course for an individual interested in a career as a Product Manager. This course provides training in sensory science, including how to evaluate and analyze the sensory properties of foods and other products. Product Managers use this type of data to make decisions about product development and marketing. The **Roles of Sensory Evaluation, Part 2** module will be particularly relevant to your career path.
Agricultural and Food Scientist
Agricultural and Food Scientist
Sensory Science would be an excellent choice for you if you are interested in a career as an Agricultural and Food Scientist. This course provides a broad overview that would be very helpful for building a foundation in sensory science. This training could help you to evaluate and analyze the sensory properties of foods and other products. This is an important skill for Agricultural and Food Scientists. The **Roles of Sensory Evaluation** module, in particular, will teach you how to conduct sensory tests and collect data, which are valuable skills for this job.
Statistician
Statistician
If you are hoping to become a Statistician, the course in Sensory Science may be a good choice for you. This course provides a solid foundation in sensory science including training in how to collect and analyze data from human subjects, which is an important skill for Statisticians. You will also learn about the history of sensory science, how it is defined, and its applications in academic research and in the consumer-packaged goods industry.
Clinical Research Coordinator
Clinical Research Coordinator
Those who would like to work in clinical research as a Clinical Research Coordinator may find that taking the Sensory Science course could be very helpful. This course can help you to build a valuable foundation in sensory science with an overview of sensory science and its applications in academic research and in the consumer-packaged goods industry. Sensory evaluation plays a major role in the medical sciences, and you will learn about this in the **Basic Sensory Research** module. Understanding sensory science can be very helpful for many careers in clinical research.
Biostatistician
Biostatistician
Individuals interested in a career as a Biostatistician would be wise to take the course in Sensory Science. This course provides a solid basis for understanding how to collect and analyze data from human subjects and other sources, which is essential in biostatistics. In the **Basic Sensory Research** module, you will also learn about how sensory science impacts the medical sciences. This knowledge could be very helpful in your career as a Biostatistician.
Chemist
Chemist
If you are interested in becoming a Chemist that works with food, the course in Sensory Science could be very helpful to your career. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the field including training in how to evaluate and analyze the sensory properties of foods and other products. This course also has a module on **Roles of Sensory Evaluation, Part 2** that will teach you about the roles of sensory evaluation in relation to chemical/physical properties. You may find your training in sensory science is particularly helpful if you become a Chemist that works in the Food Industry.
Market Research Analyst
Market Research Analyst
Sensory Science may be a helpful course for those interested in becoming a Market Research Analyst. Sensory evaluation can be used to collect and analyze data about consumer preferences, which is valuable for Market Research Analysts. This course would help build a foundation for you in sensory science. The **Roles of Sensory Evaluation** module will be particularly relevant to your career path.
Data Analyst
Data Analyst
Sensory Science may be a useful course for those hoping to become a Data Analyst. This course provides a solid foundation in sensory science including training in how to collect and analyze data from human subjects, which is an important skill for Data Analysts. You will also take a module on **Basic Sensory Research**, which will teach you about how sensory science impacts communication and information processing industries. As a Data Analyst, you may work with a wide variety of data, including data from sensory science.
Technical Writer
Technical Writer
Sensory Science may be a helpful course for aspiring Technical Writers. The field of sensory science studies the human senses and their interaction with products, which can be a valuable area of knowledge for Technical Writers. This course provides a broad overview of the field, including training in how to evaluate and analyze the sensory properties of foods and other products. The **Basic Sensory Research** module in particular discusses the history of sensory science and its applications in various industries including information processing and communication.
Operations Research Analyst
Operations Research Analyst
Sensory Science may be of use to you if you are considering a career as an Operations Research Analyst. This course provides training in how to collect and analyze data from human subjects, which is a skill that can be applied in this field. Operations Research Analysts use data to solve problems and improve processes, and sensory science can provide valuable data for this purpose. The **Basic Sensory Research** module will be particularly relevant to your career path.
Environmental Health and Safety Specialist
Environmental Health and Safety Specialist
If you are interested in pursuing a career as an Environmental Health and Safety Specialist, taking a course in Sensory Science may be a good idea. This course provides a solid foundation in sensory science including training in how to evaluate and analyze the sensory properties of foods and other products. This is an important skill for Environmental Health and Safety Specialists who may need to evaluate and analyze the sensory properties of various materials.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/g0rlu0/introduction
Reading list
We've selected ten books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Introduction to Sensory Science.
Is highly recommended as a foundational text in sensory evaluation, providing a theoretical and practical framework for understanding sensory evaluation principles and practices.
This classic textbook provides comprehensive coverage of sensory evaluation methods and techniques, serving as a valuable reference for practitioners and students.
Provides a practical guide to the principles and practices of sensory evaluation of food. It covers all aspects of sensory evaluation, from the design of experiments to the analysis and interpretation of data.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the field of the psychology of smell and taste. It covers the basic principles of smell and taste perception, the cognitive and behavioral aspects of smell and taste, and the applications of smell and taste research.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the field of the physiology of taste and smell. It covers the basic principles of taste and smell perception, the anatomy and physiology of the taste and smell organs, and the neural processing of taste and smell information.
Provides a practical guide to the techniques used in sensory evaluation. It covers all aspects of sensory evaluation, from the design of experiments to the analysis and interpretation of data.
Save
This comprehensive reference work covers all aspects of the senses, from the basic physiology of sensation to the cognitive and behavioral aspects of perception.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the field of sensation and perception. It covers the basic principles of sensation and perception, the anatomy and physiology of the sensory systems, and the neural processing of sensory information.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the field of the senses. It covers the basic principles of sensation and perception, the anatomy and physiology of the sensory systems, and the cognitive and behavioral aspects of perception.
Save
Explores the role of sensory evaluation in assessing the impact of health and disease on taste, smell, and other sensory perceptions.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/g0rlu0/introduction
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Effort
4 weeks of study, 2-3 hours/week
Level
Introductory
Via
Coursera
Institution
University of California, Davis
Instructor
Rebecca Bleibaum
Language
English
Transcript
tiếng Việt
This course belongs to a
collection
called
Foundations of Sensory Science. It's comprised of four courses:
- Sensory Science: The Senses
- Sensory Science: Measuring the Senses
- Sensory Science: Conducting Tests
- Introduction to Sensory Science (viewing)
Good to know
Examines the sensory science behind the flavors, textures, and aromas of our favorite products, providing a foundation for understanding the food we eat
Develops critical thinking skills as learners explore how human senses impact food and product development
taught by Rebecca Bleibaum, an experienced sensory scientist with a proven track record in the field
Best suited for individuals interested in the food sciences, health, and consumer preferences
May require additional resources or textbooks for a more comprehensive understanding of the subject
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