OCC has popular programs in each of the aforementioned specialties. A food scientist applies chemistry, microbiology, engineering and other basic and applied sciences to the production, processing, presentation, evaluation and distribution of food. According to Golden, the Southland is the nation's third largest food manufacturing region. With an OCC Food Science certificate in hand, a student is qualified to secure employment as an assistant food technician, assistant packaging technician, assistant food plant sanitarian, laboratory technician, quality control technician, research technician, sensory technician or salesperson. Many OCC graduates transfer on to complete B.S. degrees in food science at Chapman University or California State University at Long Beach.
Food scientists command excellent salaries and benefits.
OCC is one of just five community colleges in the state with a Nutrition Care Program. The college has offered its certificate of achievement in dietetic technology for many years, and added a nutrition education certificate just three years ago. Hundreds of graduates of OCC's two Nutrition Care certificate programs are currently employed in the field of nutrition. Listed as Food and Nutrition 100 in the OCC schedule, the nine-week class is set to begin March 20. It meets Monday afternoons, from 3-6 p.m., in OCC's new Food and Nutrition Lab.