B.S. in Food Biosciences
Food biosciences is the study of the transformation of biological materials into food products acceptable for human consumption.
This requires studying diverse scientific disciplines related to food, including chemistry, engineering, microbiology, biochemistry, toxicology and management, as well as effectively applying the industrial and practical aspects to product development, food processing, preservation and marketing. Our program offers training in the basic sciences and in the fundamentals of food biosciences.
Why Major in Food Biosciences?
Our program is for those with an interest and ability in the sciences. Food biosciences offers a lifetime vocation in the maintenance of a never-ending stream of quality food products. You may want to choose food biosciences as a career if you are interested in:
- Serving society by assuring availability, abundance, affordability, wholesomeness and safety of food.
- Improving the nutritive value of food products.
- Supervising raw material procurement or managing any aspect of a food processing operation.
- Maintaining high standards of safety and sanitation and managing quality of an ever-increasing variety of food products.
- Development of new food products, processing methods or distribution techniques.
- Knowing about the biological, chemical and physical nature of food and food components.
Everyone eats - not only to live but for enjoyment. That's precisely why the food industry is a "sure-bet" career choice.
Our program is the choice for anyone wanting an exciting, fast-paced career in the food industry. We invite you to consider the professional career choices available. The faculty in our program are dedicated to providing the best scientific training for successful and productive food-related careers.
Career opportunities in food industries include: management, research and development of new food products and ingredients, process supervision, quality control, procurement, distribution, sales and merchandising. Positions include sales and services in allied industries, consulting and trade association activities, and promotional and educational services. Governmental agencies employ food scientists whose work is directed toward research, regulatory control and the development of food standards.
Careers
Food science programs in the United States mainly evolved from dairy manufacturing (science) programs. The discipline emerged to include not only dairy science, but also meat science, cereal science, seafood science and the study of fruit and vegetable products.
The food industry is one of the largest manufacturing industries in the U.S., employing about 2 million people with an additional 14 million being employed in other food-related fields. Based on the dollar value of products shipped, the food processing industry is the largest in the U.S., contributing more than $350 billion to the gross national product. The enormous size of the industry and its need for professional scientists make it possible to find a wide variety of satisfying careers.
The food industry is growing steadily as the consumer demands for convenient, safe and nutritious food/beverages increase. This increase is creating many varied career opportunities in the food and allied industries.
Employment with a bachelor's degree in food biosciences includes positions with food and allied industries, government and independent research institutions. Employment can be found with companies that manufacture retail food products as well as companies supporting food manufacturers by supplying food ingredients, processing equipment and packaging materials, or providing services related to institutional feeding. Technical and administrative positions are also available in various government agencies and with independent testing laboratories. Food biosciences graduates hold teaching, research and extension positions with colleges and universities, and governmental agencies employ food scientists whose work is directed toward research, regulatory control and the development of food standards.
The role of the food scientist in such positions may involve management, process supervision, production and process development, quality control/quality assurance, technical services and sales, procurement, distribution, marketing, advertising, merchandising, public health and regulatory service, basic and applied research, consulting, government food inspection, trade association activities, and promotional and educational services.
UK food scientists have found employment throughout the country and around the world.
Salaries
Because of the constant need for qualified food scientists, salaries are generally equal to or higher than those of other professions requiring equivalent levels of education. From a recent survey of food scientists with a B.S. degree, mean annual salaries were $75,000. Mean starting salaries were $45,000.
