We are going to consider food science degree online, in our guide today. A food science degree teaches you how to improve agricultural methods, design and manufacture food products, and help better human health. Food scientists work in research, sales, manufacturing and other areas. This is a broad field that covers many different areas.
Food science is the study of all aspects of food production and consumption
Food science is the study of all aspects of food production and consumption. Food scientists learn about the chemical composition and chemical changes that occur in foods during processing and storage. They also work to improve methods of production, preservation and safety, as well as to develop new products. While food science has a wide range of applications, one of its main goals is to ensure that people have access to safe and healthy food products.
Food science is not only for big companies. It can be used by individuals who want to prepare their own food at home or by small businesses selling their products in local stores and markets. That’s why we created this guide: it will help anyone interested in learning more about how they can use food science in their own lives—no matter what their background might be!
As a food scientist, you could research how to make all kinds of improvements to the food industry: things like increasing crop growth or creating more nutritious foods.
There are many different things you could do as a food scientist.
- Have you ever wondered, for example, what makes your favorite cookie recipe so delicious? This is the type of question that a food scientist would be excited to answer. Food scientists work both in research and development arenas, designing new products and recipes, but also evaluating old ones. Other projects might look at how to improve agricultural methods, or develop new nutritional information about foods.
- If you’re interested in helping people live healthier lives and prevent disease, the field of public health might be right up your alley. You could study anything from infectious diseases to cancer prevention and treatment during this ever-changing field of food science.
- If you’re interested in how our diets impact our health over time, nutrition might be the best area for you. Nutritionists can advise people on how to eat better by providing them with good advice about what kinds of foods they should eat more or less often than others. They may even help design menus for meals served at schools or hospitals!
- Food scientists can also specialize in areas like public health, agriculture, nutrition or biochemistry
Food scientists are scientists who help develop and improve food. They research everything from what foods people like to how to make sure food is safe to eat and isn’t going to spoil. Food science courses look at biology, chemistry, nutrition, microbiology and engineering as they’re related to food. A food scientist may also be known as a flavorist or a technologist.
Food scientists might work for the government, for large corporations that produce food or for smaller companies focused on niche products. This type of science is very broad so you can specialize in things like agriculture, biochemistry or nutrition depending on where your interests lie. For example:
- If you work for a company that deals with frozen foods you might specialize in helping preserve the taste and texture of the product being developed by studying ways it can be frozen without losing its quality over time
- Someone working in public health would most likely focus more on the bio-chemical side of things like bacteria growth in order to make sure consumers are safe eating what’s been developed
- Several people I spoke with were chemists who worked at large corporations developing new flavors and scents that could become popular additions to their current products
Many companies hire food scientists to work in manufacturing or sales, but other career paths include scientific writing, public policy or entrepreneurship
Career paths for food scientists
Food science degree holders can find work in a wide range of fields and industries, including:
- Food manufacturing
- Government agencies that regulate the food industry, such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- Nonprofits dedicated to food safety or health
- Education and research
In addition to research and development, food scientists may pursue careers in sales, marketing, policy making or entrepreneurship.
Skills needed for a career in food science
Food scientists must have a genuine interest in helping people live healthier lives through improved nutrition and access to safe foods. They should also be creative problem solvers who are willing to explore new technologies while leveraging current resources. In particular, having experience with certain types of software can be helpful when conducting scientific research or working with large amounts of data:
- Data analysis software such as SAS JMP/STATISTICA/MINITAB/R Studio/XL MINER etc…
- Microsoft Excel
Preparing for a career in food science
To prepare for an academic career path like this one, students should participate in undergraduate research opportunities whenever possible so they become well-trained researchers before entering graduate school. They should also make sure to network with established researchers at their school whenever possible throughout the duration of their academic career
An associate’s degree would prepare you for entry-level work as a laboratory assistant, field technician or quality control specialist
If you want to get a foot in the door, an associate’s degree in food science could be a good way to start. An associate’s degree would prepare you for entry-level work as a laboratory assistant, field technician or quality control specialist.
A bachelor’s degree in food science will open up even more career opportunities upon graduation and give you the credentials you need to become a professional scientist
If you wish to begin your career in the food science industry, a bachelor’s degree is likely the best option. This is especially true if you are interested in working in laboratories or research and development, as a bachelor’s degree is required for these positions. However, many other positions will require a bachelor’s degree as well.
However, if you do not have aspirations of becoming an applied researcher or desire to enter graduate school, then it may also be possible to find employment with only an associate’s degree or even a high school diploma. Community colleges and technical schools often offer associate’s degrees in food science that can provide some of the basic learning needed for entry-level careers such as food processing technicians. High school diplomas may be sufficient to work as food manufacturing workers and inspectors; however, employers may prefer those who have completed training programs through local vocational schools or community colleges.
Find out how studying food science can help you find a rewarding career!
Studying food science can help you find a rewarding career in the field. In fact, many people who have studied nutrition are now working as dietitians and nutritionists, which makes them a great option for anyone who wants to work in this field. They can also help you find a job that pays well and you can work at home.
Top Schools Offering Food Science Degree Online
The following schools offer the best food science degree online programs. You can contact them and get more information:
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a great choice for individuals interested in an Online Food Science Degree. The school offers several programs, including a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Food Science and Human Nutrition. With 50 years of experience in this field, their faculty has the knowledge to pass along to their students, who they also help prepare for careers in the industry after graduation.
The bachelor’s degree program requires 120 credits, all completed online with no campus visits required. Tuition is $327 per credit hour plus additional fees such as technology ($25), document ($25), and online course fees ($50). Prospective students are expected to have completed 30 hours of credit before applying, and letters of recommendation are required. There is no specific major required but recommended courses include chemistry, biology, organic chemistry, English composition (2 courses) and calculus (2 courses).
Purdue University
Purdue University is a world-renowned, public research university that advances discoveries in science, technology, engineering and math. With its flagship campus in West Lafayette, Indiana, Purdue is a land-grant university with a system that has statewide campuses and online, adult-learning and polytechnic programs. Ranked the No. 5 Most Innovative University in the United States by U.S. News & World Report*, Purdue delivers world-changing research and out-of-this-world discovery. Boiler up!
- S. News & World Report Best National Universities Rankings 2020
Texas A&M University
This online bachelor’s degree focuses on food science, nutrition and microbiology. You can earn your degree from Texas A&M University, which offers online degrees in addition to its renowned on-campus programs. The Bachelor of Science degree is offered through the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences and requires a total of 120 credit hours.
Most classes for this program are delivered asynchronously to give you flexibility in your education. The only synchronous courses have set times that last no longer than two hours per day, so you can still complete the program without taking time off work or relocating your family.
The curriculum focuses on food safety, food science and nutrition, but you also explore other related topics such as public health. Some required courses include Food Microbiology, Nutrition Concepts and Dietetics Management Seminar I & II.
You can choose from several concentrations including dietitian internships, food systems management or community nutrition education.
Pennsylvania State University
Penn State is the only university in the world to offer a bachelor’s degree in food science online. The program takes two years to complete, and there are no lab classes.
Students must have a minimum of 24 college credits for admission, and transfer students must have at least 12 food science-related credits from an accredited institution.
One of the best parts about the program is that it includes a six-week course that introduces students to food industry companies, who may end up hiring them when they graduate! So if you want job security after graduation, this might be the route for you.
You can get a food science degree online these days
If you are looking at a job in the food industry, you will find that more and more universities are offering online courses. These are no different than on-campus courses, and you will receive the same qualification. The benefit of an online course is that you may be able to do it while working, and this option can make your studies work for your life. You will have all the same opportunities as people who attend on-campus courses.
