Specialisation Quality and Food Logistics

The specialisation Quality and Food Logistics (B) allows students to investigate, analyze and improve food supply chain management based on surveys, case studies, conceptual frameworks and decision support models (such as simulation and optimization). This specialisation provides the knowledge for understanding how complex food supply chains work, with emphasis on product quality, sustainability and technology. Further, innovative logistics concepts and dedicated decision support models will be developed to deal with increased complexity and contemporary developments in the agri-food sector. Students will perform research in topics such as quality controlled logistics, logistics collaboration concepts, the techno-managerial systems approach for food supply chain management, sustainability in food chains, etc. The knowledge and skills that students gain in this specialisation prepare them to work in many agri-food
industries and organisations including food processing, fresh food trader/wholesaler, and also food/logistics consulting companies. They can work
as a supply chain or logistics manager as well as quality manager or product
developer, with profound knowledge about logistics and quality aspects and how
they may influence each other in the agri-food sector.

Academic year, courses and study load

In the first year of your Master programme you are expected to take 60 ECTS. In general there are three types of courses: compulsory courses (CS), restricted optionals (RO) and electives. The specialisation Quality and Food Logistics typically contains 9 compulsory courses and 1 elective.

The table below shows the specialisation programme and courses. The course content can be found in the online study handbook.
*This course can be replaced by an elective, in case of sufficient background knowledge.

First year

Compulsory courses: Electives:
Decision Science 1* Select one elective in consultation with your study advisor.
Food Quality Management
Food Law
Food Quality Analysis and Judgement*
Advanced Tools in Quality Management
FQM Research Principles 1
FQM Research Principles 2
Food Logistics Management
Operations Research and Logistics


Second year

The second year consists of an individual thesis project (minimum 36 ECTS) and an internship/traineeship (minimum 24 ECTS). The topics of the thesis and internship has to be within the scope of the specialisation. The thesis is carried out at Wageningen University. The internship is always outside Wageningen University and can be in any country, at a university, an industry or an institute. The thesis topics and internship supervision for this specialisation are offered by both the Food Quality and Design group and the Operations Research and Logistics Group