Foundation in Sensory Science

Tickets are available to purchase for UK (VAT) and non-UK residents - if you are unsure which option to choose, please email our team for advice: marketing@sensorydimensions.com.

Over a series of LIVE training seminars we will cover how the human senses make measurements, the contents of the sensory tool box, how to select and train the right people for each test and how to set up, run and analyse the right test for your objective.

IFST Accreditation: candidates attending the full course can opt to sit the examination and gain the IFST Foundation Certificate in Sensory Science.

Seminars will run for 1hr with a 15min Q&A

Seminar 1: An Introduction to Sensory Science and the human senses

Mon 12th June, 1pm (BST), £95

The first seminar in our Foundation series will introduce you to sensory science; what it is, why we do it, and when. We will also discover how sensory evaluation is used in industry.

You will learn about the human senses and how we perceive certain product qualities. We will look at all five senses to understand how they each function alone and how they cross over to give our overall perception of a stimulus.

Seminar 2: Understanding Sensory Methodologies

Tues 13th June, 1pm (BST), £95

We will discover what is in the toolbox of Sensory methodologies, including Discrimination, Descriptive and Consumer.

This seminar will look at how to choose the correct assessor for each test and how many assessors you might need. We will cover experiment design, understanding your objectives and setting a hypothesis. We will then go on to discuss analysing results and drawing conclusions

Seminar 3: Understanding Descriptive Profiling Methods

Weds 14th June, 1pm (BST), £85

The third seminar in our Foundation series is all about descriptive profiling methods; we discover what they are, when should they be used and why.

You will learn how to focus your objectives, set a hypothesis and train panellists for descriptive work.

Seminar 4: Screening panellists

Thurs 15th June, 1pm (BST), £95

This seminar walks you through the screening process for new descriptive panellists. We look at the exercises recommended to ensure each panellist has the right level of sensory acuity, descriptive ability and the personality needed to succeed on the panel.

We discuss the ISO standards for screening, setting up a typical screening protocol and how to screen for specialist assessments.

Revision session 1 - full course attendees only

Fri 16th June, 1pm (BST)

Seminar 5: What is QDA and how to you use it?

Mon 19th June, 1pm (BST), £95

What is Quantitative Descriptive Analysis and how to you use it? What are the pros and cons?

In this seminar, we will discover how to train panellists and generate descriptive attributes. You will learn about qualitative and quantitative references, validating a lexicon and rating products.

We will then discuss experimental design and how to set up practically, covering physiological and psychological errors, and how to motivate panellists.

A practical session follows this seminar which last approximately 30-45minutes.

Seminar 6: Undertaking QDA Data Analysis

Tues 20th June, 1pm (BST), £95

How do you summarise and visualise the results of QDA projects?

In our sixth seminar, learn how to analyse panel performance, make use of significance Testing, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Multiple comparison Tests, and draw conclusions

Seminar 7: Affective tests

Weds 21st June, 1pm (BST), £95

Seminar 7 in our Foundation Series will look at the different types of affective test; what are they, why you should use them, when and how.

You will learn how to understand your objective, set the hypothesis and design a successful project.

We cover how to create an effective screener to recruit the right consumers, what types of questions should be included and how to investigate consumer emotions. We also look at how to analyse consumer data and draw conclusions from it.

Seminar 8: Controlling the test environment

Thurs 22nd June, 1pm (BST), £95

Our final seminar will look at creating the right space for testing, how to control the environment and putting in the correct evaluation protocols.

Learn how to correctly serve representative samples, sample identification and presentation order (randomisation and balancing; first order effects; dummy samples).

Finally we discuss clearing the nose and cleansing the palate.

Revision session 2 followed by exam - full course attendees only

Fri 23rd June, 1pm (BST)

Revision sessions run on each Friday from 1-2pm (BST) with the IFST examination taking place on Friday 14th July at 2pm lasting 45minutes.

Candidates attending the full course opt to attend a revision session with our trainers and sit the examination to gain the IFST Foundation Certificate in Sensory Science. The cost of the Friday revision sessions and final day examination is included in the full course bundle price.