Food Science
College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences
Food science is the study of the physical, biological and chemical makeup of food. It looks at the concepts of food chemistry, analysis, microbiology, processing and engineering to assure food quality and safety.
San Luis Obispo, California
Principal areas of instruction are food engineering, food processing, food safety and sanitation, quality assurance, food microbiology, food chemistry and analysis, product development and sensory evaluation.
Chemistry Lab
Perform chemical analysis of food ingredients and products.
Culinary Science / Product Development Lab
With full kitchen capability, we have everything needed to make any culinary creation including baked products. Equipment includes pilot scale proofers, convection ovens, refrigeration units, batch mixers and more.
Foods Safety Lab
Test and monitoring bacterial and viral activity in food products/processes and analyze food products to determine potential food safety concerns.
Quality Control Lab
Determine water activity, moisture content, true color, viscosity, pH, percent soluble solids, as well as other quality related tests.
Sensory Evaluation Lab
Perform objective and subjective tests to evaluate flavor, texture and appearance of foods.
Advanced Food Science
The advanced food science concentration delves deeper into the principles of food science and is approved by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT). You are strongly advised to follow this concentration if you plan on graduate study. Students enrolled in this concentration are eligible for IFT scholarships.
More about Advanced Food Science
Culinology®
The Culinology® concentration applies a strong science background to ingredient development, food product development or in entrepreneurial pursuits. Graduates are prepared to pursue advanced degrees in food science or attend a professional culinary program.
Food science majors are able to participate in a blended program where you can earn your bachelor's and master's degrees at the same time.
The program is open to food science undergraduate students pursuing the BS degree in food science with a concentration in advanced food science. You must have a minimum CPSLO GPA of 3.0 at the time of application to the blended program.
Applications must be approved before you have completed 170 units toward your undergraduate curriculum requirement and you must have taken FSN 330 and FSN 364 prior to the quarter you apply to the blended program.
About the Program
A degree in food science teaches you to integrate and apply principles of food chemistry, analysis, microbiology, processing and engineering to assure food quality and safety.
The department’s on-campus food plant and laboratories provide real-world learning opportunities and promote safe, sustainable and nutritious foods through partnerships with the food industry in California and around the world. The program is designed to prepare you for employment in the food industry, government departments or for graduate study. You will choose between an advanced food science or Culinology® concentration and opportunities are available for advanced work in both areas through projects, internships and employment. Both concentrations culminate in a senior project that act as a final demonstration of your critical thinking and food and nutrition knowledge.
Learn by Doing
The Food Science Department is equipped with a food processing pilot plant, as well as laboratories for food safety, food chemistry, nutritional science, metabolism and culinary science. You will learn how to test and monitor bacterial and viral activity in food products, perform tests to evaluate flavor of food and more. As part of the program, you will also receive training with pilot scale commercial processing equipment and participate in projects designed to simulate industry and business practices.
Manufacture and Market Food Products
Our Graduates
Food science graduates enjoy rewarding careers in food processing and product development, sales, research, quality assurance and government regulation.
Many of our alumni have gone on to established careers with employers including Odwalla, Inc., Sunset Magazine, Naturebox, Oracle, Foster Farms, Frito-Lay and McKee Foods Corporation.