Continuing Education

September 2010

Fourth European Conference on Sensory and Consumer Research: A Sense of Quality

In Europe, interest in sensory science has grown and will continue to play an essential role in understanding the European consumer's perception of food quality. This conference is an ideal opportunity to gain insight into the contribution that sensory and consumer scientists can make towards satisfying the current and future requirements and expectations of modern European society. This conference will also consider sensory evaluation in non food applications. Eurosense is an ideal networking opportunity and will appeal to scientists, professionals and industrialists. The target audience for this conference includes health, food and sensory experts, researchers and manufacturers. Abstract Submission Deadline: 28 February 2010

Location: Palacio Europa, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
From: September 5, 2010 to September 8, 2010
Offered by: University of Basque Country (UPV-EHU)
Target audience: Beginner
Cost: Student 225 euros; Academic 495 euros; Industry 595 euros. 2008 was a sold out event!

Further information: http://www.eurosense.elsevier.com/

Sensory Evaluation

This course is designed to assist you as you select, conduct, analyze and interpret sensory evaluation methods. You will learn about sensory physiology, method selection, discriminative and descriptive testing, preference/acceptance testing and statistical analysis of data. An important feature of the course is the laboratory/demonstration sessions in which you will participate.

Location: Hyatt Hotel, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States
From: September 20, 2010 to September 23, 2010
Offered by: Sensory Spectrum and The Center for Professional Advancement
Target audience: Beginner
Cost: $2345 - $2650 dependent on registration date and status, please see website

Further information: http://www.cfpa.com/201009200434-10a/434/d/courseSummary.aspx

October 2010

Applied Sensory Science and Consumer Testing Certificate Program for Online Learners

The Applied Sensory Science and Consumer Testing Certificate Program offered by UC Davis Extension is the industry-recognized leader for the education of sensory professionals. Drawing on cutting-edge research and the real-world knowledge of expert instructors, the program is designed for working professionals interested in learning new techniques or brushing up on the theory behind current methods of sensory evaluation for both food and non-food products. Since the program began eight years ago, it has trained students from more than 30 countries and a wide variety of industries. The certificate program is offered completely online and consists of a sequence of four consecutive courses. Students move through the courses as a cohort beginning each September. Program starts on October 4, 2010 and ends on September 16, 2011.

Location: On-line, United States
From: October 4, 2010 to October 4, 2010
Offered by: UC Davis Extension Program
Target audience: Beginner
Cost: $8000 for all 4 courses; $2000 per course

Further information: http://www.extension.ucdavis.edu/sensory or call (800) 752-0881

Targeting the Consumer III: Advanced Consumer Science for Product Innovation

Sensory and consumer research is changing, and those who practice traditional sensory research and look at consumer research as just demographics are being left behind. Successful innovation demands working relationships with product managers and with marketing. Sensory and consumer research need to have the tools to add to the mix of talents in NPD. This course is aimed at providing the knowledge and tools to enhance the contribution of our research to the innovation process. Targeting the Consumer III builds on the success of our two Targeting the Consumer courses. It adds entirely new material to some topics such as Consumer Segmentation, and offers entirely new topics such as Price and Brand. In this way, Sensory and Consumer Testing can become a more valuable component of the New Product Development process, by offering new methods, new data and new statistical analysis techniques.

Location: Microtek Labs, Chicago, Illinois, United States
From: October 5, 2010 to October 7, 2010
Offered by: Dr. Hal MacFie Consulting
Target audience: Advanced
Cost: $2400; 25% discount for members of academia

Further information: http://www.halmacfie.com/pages/chicagooct2010.html

Hands on Experimental Design for Product Reformulation, Optimisation and Concept Matching

This course forms a hands-on introduction for researchers and new product developers who need to understand how product components work together to influence consumers and to optimise particular performance characteristics. Based around the use of DESIGN EXPERT, attendees will gain practical experience using real-life examples and will be able to save their work to take away with a free copy the DESIGN EXPERT software (worth $995.00 at full commercial rates) so they will be competent to start using their expertise from day 1 after the course.

Location: MicroTek Computer Training Facility, Manhattan, New York, United States
From: October 6, 2010 to October 8, 2010
Offered by: Dr. Hal MacFie Consulting
Target audience: Beginner
Cost: $2800; 25% discount for members of academia

Further information: http://www.halmacfie.com/pages/newyorkoct2010.html