The courses are: Regulatory Science: Principles and Practices and Managerial Economics for Regulatory Science. Dr. Tim Herrman, state chemist in College Station, said they are designed to provide food and feed regulators, as well as industry personnel access to distance learning courses. They will help participants learn to use the tools to improve the protection, efficacy and quality of regulated products in the feed and food industry.
“The increased focus on the science behind the regulation of food and feed products, the globalization of the economy and advances in analytical technology contribute to a growing need for education in the emerging field of regulatory science," Herrman said.
The curriculum is developed and taught by faculty from three Texas A&M departments including soil and crop sciences, agricultural economics and veterinary pathobiology and regulatory officials from the Office of the Texas State Chemist, a regulatory agency housed within Texas AgriLife Research in the Texas A&M System.
Students who complete all the regulatory science courses will have the knowledge and skills to:
* Apply a science-based approach to risk management and be part of a risk management team.
* Interpret and implement the U.S. and international laws, regulations and standards that govern the development, manufacturing, and distribution of food and feed products.
* Assess the significance and impact of existing and emerging regulations and standards on business operations.
* Help companies navigate an increasingly complex regulatory environment.
* Communicate the benefits of regulatory decision-making and compliance to management and consumers.
The two classes are offered for graduate credit and continuing education as part of a larger curriculum in regulatory science, Herrman said. Future courses will include Laboratory Quality Systems, Comparative Global Standard and Regulatory Science Methodology, he said.
Registration began Nov. 17 for courses starting in January. For more information or to enroll in the online regulatory science courses at Texas A&M, visit regsci.tamu.edu or contact Mary Sasser at 979-845-1121 or mary@otsc.tamu.edu. 
