The program is certified by the Institute of Food Technologists. Scholarships are available through the Institute of Food Technologists and the College of Agriculture. Incoming freshman should contact the food science chair in November-December for IFT scholarship forms. Graduates are needed to manage and supervise sophisticated food manufacturing industries that produce poultry, fresh and processed meat, dairy products, bakery goods, frozen and canned fruits and vegetables, confections, and snack foods. Imaginative and well-trained people are needed in research and product development to create new and innovative products and processes.
Some graduates work with producers to improve the quality of raw materials.
Others are involved in selling, merchandising, advertising, or managing food operations. Government regulatory agencies also hire food scientists to assure public health, nutrition, and food labeling. If students have foreign language capabilities, international food industry jobs are available. Very important to the student's course of study is the flexibility of professional electives that the student selects by consultation with their academic advisor. This gives the student an opportunity to design a personalized, well-rounded curriculum.