Overview of Food Science and Technology

Food Science and Technology is a field of study that combines knowledge and skills from numerous disciplines, including chemistry, engineering, and nutrition. It focuses on improving the safety, quality, and nutritional value of food products as well as finding cost-effective ways to produce these items. A master’s degree in Food Science and Technology can be completed in two to three years, depending on the program and institution. Courses taken in this program can vary from those focusing on food safety and legislation, to food product development, packaging, preservation, and marketing.

Career Opportunities

Students with a master’s degree in Food Science and Technology have a wide variety of career opportunities available to them. These can include positions such as Food Scientist or Industrial Food Technologist, where they research and develop new food products, investigate food safety problems, inspect food production facilities, and analyze food for quality control purposes. They may also become Food Safety and Quality Assurance Managers, Food Supply Chain Managers, or Nutritional Consultants, working for government agencies, food manufacturers, or consulting firms.

Internships/Co-op Opportunities

Most Food Science and Technology programs offer internship or co-op opportunities to help students gain real-world experience in the field. These can include working as an intern at food production or research facilities, or joining co-op programs in food packaging and marketing. Additionally, there may also be opportunities to become a teaching assistant for other courses at the institution.

Specialized Tracks/Concentrations

Specialized tracks or concentrations can be included in a master’s degree program to further specialize a student’s education in the Food Science and Technology field. For example, some schools offer tracks in Nutrition and Health, Food Microbiology, Food Processing and Quality Control, Food Packaging and Distribution, or Environmental Regulation. Furthermore, some schools also offer graduate certificates in specialized areas, such as Food Safety, Sensory Analysis, Meat Sciences, and Seafood Safety.

Preparation for Career

Graduates with a master’s degree in Food Science and Technology are qualified to enter the workforce with advanced knowledge and skills in food production, safety, and quality assurance. An education in this field typically covers topics such as processing technologies, nutrition, food safety regulations, product development, and marketing. As a result, students are well-prepared to enter the field with the technical and administrative skills necessary to succeed.

Impact of Artificial Intelligence

The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) is starting to have great implications for the Food Science and Technology field. AI is helping scientists better understand their products on a molecular level, which allows them to optimize product quality and introduce new innovations into the market. AI is also used in food safety initiatives, such as identifying microbial contamination or allergen ingredients, as well as for automation of food production processes.

Career Outlook

The job outlook for Food Science and Technology graduates is projected to remain strong and show steady growth according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A variety of positions in the private and public sectors remain, ranging from food safety and quality assurance to product development and marketing. With a degree in Food Science and Technology, graduates have access to an array of career opportunities and an overall bright career outlook.

Here are the top reported starting salaries for graduates in Food Science and Technology:

Michigan State University, Salary: $81,178

Kansas State University, Salary: $75,367

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Salary: $66,703

For privacy reasons, not all schools report the first year salaries for students who earned their master’s degree in Food Science and Technology.