Food Science
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Food Science
Requirements and Core Courses
Careers in Food Science
Suggested Strengths, Interests, and Preparation
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Related Fields of Study That Might Interest You
Contact Information
Food Science
Food science students learn how to convert food commodities into high quality food products that are safe and nutritious. Food science majors develop an understanding of the nature, properties, and characteristics of foods through courses in biochemistry, chemistry, microbiology, physics, and more. Food technology courses build on this foundation and apply it to the study of processing, preservation, sanitation, storage, and marketing of foods.
• Offered at WSU: Minor (part of the major in food science and human nutrition), master of science, doctorate
• Available at: Pullman
Requirements and Core Courses
—Bachelor of Science
TO JOIN THE PROGRAM
In the first two years, students will complete most of the general education requirements (GERs) and initiate studies of the sciences basic to food science. Those who have taken 24 credit hours and earned at least a 2.0 GPA should certify as food science students. Junior and senior years will emphasize food processing, food microbiology, and food chemistry—all related to cereal, dairy, fruit, vegetable, wine, meat, poultry, and seafood product development and processing.
The bachelor of science degree in this option requires 120 semester hours. At least 40 of the total hours must be in upper-division courses (300-400 level).
NOTE: Students should consult the General Catalog for course planning and must meet course requirements as outlined in the General Catalog in order to graduate. The schedule below is only a guideline. Course selection and order taken may deviate from the schedule below, according to student’s needs, and in consultation with advisor.
Freshman Year (First Semester)
- Chem 105—Principles of Chemistry I
- Eng 101 or 105—Introductory Writing
- GenEd 110—World Civilizations I
- Math 140—Mathematics for Life Scientists or Math 171—Calculus I *
Freshmen Year (Second Semester)
- Biol 107—Introductory Biology: Cell Biology and Genetics
- Chem 106—Principles of Chemistry II
- ComSt 102 or HD 205
- GenEd 111—World Civilizations II
Sophomore Year (First Semester)
- Ag Ec 201—Economy in Agriculture
- Arts and Humanities or Social Science course
- Chem 345—Elementary Organic Chemistry
- FSHN 220—Food Safety & Quality
- Phys 101—General Physics
Sophomore Year (Second Semester)
- Arts and Humanities course
- FSHN 233—Human Nutrition or AS 314—Principles of Nutrition
- MBioS 302—General Microbiology
- MBioS 303—Introductory Biochemistry
- Social Sciences course
Junior Year (First Semester)
- Ag Ec 350—Introduction to Agricultural Marketing or Mktg 360—Marketing
- FSHN 303—Food Processing
- FSHN 416—Food Microbiology
- FSHN 417—Food Microbiology Lab
- Stat 212—Introduction to Statistical Methods
Junior Year (Second Semester)
- FSHN 432—Food Engineering
- FSHN 470—Advance Food Technology
- Intercultural Studies course
- Elective
Senior Year (First Semester)
- FSHN 408—Seminar in Food Science
- FSHN 422—Sensory Evaluation of Food and Wine
- FSHN 460—Food Chemistry
- FSHN 461—Food Chemistry Lab
- Tier III course
- Elective
Senior Year (Second Semester)
- FSHN 489—Food Product Development
- FSHN 462—Food Analysis
- Elective
* Math 171 and 172 are required of those students who will be competing for scholarships offered by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT).
* Electives may be selected using the Emphasis Areas below, under consultation with academic advisor.
Food Science Emphasis: FSHN electives will equip students with skills for a number of careers upon graduation, including production, product development, quality assurance, and others. FSHN Electives: FSHN 170, 304, 406, 407, 429, 464, 465; Hort 435 and UI class FST 363.
Business: Students can gain an emphasis in business by taking selected courses in accounting, finance, management, economics, writing, and others.
Science: Students wishing to eventually pursue a graduate degree in food science may want to take upper-division courses in chemistry, microbiology, biochemistry, agriculture (horticulture, crops, etc), statistics, or nutrition and writing.
Foreign Language: Coupling a food science degree with a foreign language can be an exciting combination for students seeking employment in the food industry.
Three to six month internships can be arranged with food companies, processors and /or wineries to provide students with work experience in their areas of interest.
Careers in Food Science
Food science graduates are leaders in food production and processing, quality assurance and control, technical representation in the sale and marketing of foods, food product development, food science research, and regulation and enforcement of food laws.
Food scientists have various opportunities to reach their goals. They may manage a food firm, conduct process research, inspect foods as part of a quality-control team, design new packaging techniques, or research new high quality, stable food products.
Typically, food science graduates have lucrative and rewarding jobs waiting for them when they finish their degrees. The need for trained food scientists has grown steadily in pace with consumer demands for convenient, safe, and nutritious foods and beverages. Very often, more jobs are available than there are graduates.
Suggested Strengths, Interests, and Preparation
• A background strong in chemistry, biological science, mathematics, and communication skills
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Financial aid is available in loans, scholarships, and employment. The Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition and the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences award more than $500,000 in scholarships to qualified undergraduate and graduate students. Part-time employment is available in departmental laboratories, the WSU Creamery, and areas outside the department. Summer and semester work experience in industry can be academically and financially rewarding from grant- or state-funded assistantships. For more information or to apply for scholarships, contact the FSHN department.
Related Fields of Study That Might Interest You
Contact Information
Food Science Program
Washington State University
Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition
FSHN Bldg., Room 106
PO Box 646376
Pullman, WA 99164-6376
jlanderson@wsu.edu
509-335-4763
Visit Department Web Page
Department of Food Science & Human Nutrition
Watch a Video about this program
Department of Food Science & Human Nutrition
Strengths of the Program
- Gain practical processing and leadership skills in the state-of-the-art WSU Creamery, where world-renowned Cougar Gold Cheese is made.
- Student success: A group of food science students developed and marketed a better sports drink.
- Engage in product development and dairy judging competitions.
- Participate in an internship, available in a number of food industries.
- Hone your professional and interpersonal skills such as the use of computers, speaking, writing, critical thinking, and teamwork.
- Join other science, math, and engineering students in the Gannon-Goldsworthy residence hall—share courses with your neighbors, study together, get free tutoring, and use the hall’s own computer lab.