College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Curricula in Food Science and Technology
Discovering new knowledge and new technologies to develop safe, affordable, nutritious, and enjoyable food products is the goal of food scientists. Understanding the manner in which nutrition affects human health and disease and then encouraging the adoption of healthy food choices and nutrition behaviors is the focus of nutritionists and dietitians. A wide array of careers is available to graduates in the Department of Nutrition and Food Science because of their foundation in the sciences and then the application to nutrition and food science. Our students develop expertise in working with people and teamwork, communications, business, and many other abilities that will serve them well as professionals, citizens, and future leaders.
The curricula in Food Science and Technology are designed to prepare students for rewarding careers in the food industry and are offered in the Department of Nutrition and Food Science. The dynamic food industry uses science and technology to provide foods to meet the changing needs of society. Constant demands to improve the safety, quality, nutritional profiles, convenience and shelf-life of foods make this a stimulating career choice. The production, processing, development and distribution of foods provide employment opportunities for students in quality control, quality assurance, process technology, process nutrition, production supervision, process development, food plant management, food safety, food microbiology and food service.
The Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science prepares students for careers in the many facets of the food industry, professional associations and the regulatory agencies of the government where their training for this important profession is in high demand. Students receive extensive training in biology, microbiology, chemistry, engineering and business management to provide a diverse education to allow students to seek multiple career paths in a mobile and changing industry and society.
Students can receive personal and practical training in special problems courses, summer jobs and by working in pilot food processing plant facilities. Pilot plant food processing facilities are available for dairy products, meat products, cereals and bakery products, and horticultural products.