Food Science Courses overview
Everyone has to eat, which is why careers in food science are plentiful, diverse and available all over the world.
Food science seeks to understand our relationship with food, from how we get it to how we process it. This discipline is concerned with how we get nutritional value from what we eat, the consumer behaviour behind food preferences, and also examines ways to increase the nutritional value of food. It is the study of the industry behind what fills our bellies, including how food is grown, manufactured, distributed and consumed.
Hippocrates said “let food be thy medicine” back in ancient times, and food science lets you impart modern knowledge to this wise adage. As chronic diseases increase and malnutrition prevails, the discipline of food science is stepping up to try to understand how our relationship with what we eat can lead to optimum health and quality of life.
With the changing climate affecting food crops, food science is more important than ever to ensure global food security.
Is food science for me?
Food scientists use problem-solving skills to come up with cost-effective ways to develop, produce, and manufacture food. While many take food for granted, food scientists are committed to ensuring future generations enjoy safe and nourishing food despite obstacles like climate change.
Study pathway
Food science is a career that requires specialised knowledge, so people in the industry will need to have at least a bachelor’s degree in a subject related to agricultural science. Those who wish to work in academia will need at least a master’s degree.
If you did not study subjects related to food science in your undergraduate studies, it is still possible to get into the discipline. If you were fascinated by food-related subjects in your undergraduate degree, you can develop your understanding with a postgraduate course.
Those who study a graduate diploma of diploma of food science can do so without necessarily having completed related studies. These degrees provide a good launching point to prepare students to go into a master’s degree, where more complex subjects can be studied in greater depth.
A master’s in food science gives students the knowledge they need to get into specific professions in the food science industry. It can also spark the idea for a potential thesis topic to be explored in a PhD program, as well as the inspiration to shape the diverse industry.
Recent graduates, professionals and fellows can join the Australian institution of Food Science and Technology to gain access to information on job opportunities, industry services, and skills building sessions. Learn more by clicking here.
Employment options & specialisations
Food scientist
A career in food science involves anything to do with the properties of food, and how it is produced. The work of a food scientist can vary. It might involve developing new food products, agricultural practices, revolutionising food packaging, studying consumer behaviours, or chemical testing (read more).
Nutritionist
The job of a nutritionist is to advise people of the health impacts of certain foods. It is possible to specialise in a wide range of nutrition-related niche fields (read more).
Food technologist
Food technologists use their understanding of biology, physics and engineering to study foods, process foods, and improve the ways foods are consumed by the general public (read more).
Food engineer
Food engineers use and apply technical processes and engineering to food materials so that food may be cost-effectively mass produced. This may be in the areas of mechanical, chemical and/or agricultural engineering (read more).
Public health nutritionist
Public health nutritionists advise large populations about the nutritional value of food. This career differs from a classic nutritionist in that scope of clients who hear their knowledge is much more broad.