Food Science (B.S.)

FAST FACTS ›

  • Our students compete nationally for Danisco product development and the Institute of Food Technologists College Bowl.
  • If eligible your senior year, you can begin graduate course work to earn your master’s.
  • Our food science and technology concentration is approved by the Institute of Food Technologists.
  • You’ll have a chance to study in Belgium and explore this unique intersection where many cultural foods collide.
ABOUT.

Majoring in food science isn’t just about food; it’s about the whole process — from the design to the distribution stages and everything in between. While at Clemson, you’ll follow foods from the seed, through the grocery store and onto our plates. As a food science major, you’ll learn all there is to know about how food impacts the human body and our society. This program is more than just classroom learning, as you’ll spend hours in labs creating and learning about all the wonderful qualities of foods. No matter if you prefer the chemistry of combining food elements, exploring the safety of the foods we buy or aiding a young celiac patient in selecting a safe diet, you’ll leave Clemson prepared to take your career to the next level.

CLASSES.

What you'll study:

You'll begin this major by completing fundamental courses in biology, chemistry and math. The program quickly evolves into a greater understanding of food chemistry and what gives food products shelf-stability or how those elements of food relate to metabolism.

Food Science and Technology Concentration
If you’re interested in the business, packaging, culinary science or engineering aspects of food, this concentration will provide an exciting course of study to help prepare you for a career in the food science industry. Your course work will focus on science and math, and you’ll take classes such as food product development and food process engineering.

Nutrition and Dietetics Concentration
Discover how to help others live a healthy lifestyle by learning more about nutrition and managing healthy diets. This concentration is designed to prepare you for a career in nutrition, food production management, technical sales and many others. Students wanting to be a Registered Dietitian will find that this program serves as a great foundation for application for internships through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Combined Bachelor’s/Master’s Program
Clemson offers an accelerated five-year combined bachelor’s/master’s program that will allow you to count up to 12 hours of graduate credit toward both your Bachelor of Science in food science and a Master of Science in food, nutrition and culinary sciences.

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM.

Food science majors have a variety of opportunities to conduct research and work closely with food scientists. From the state-of-the-art research kitchen to the CU CHEFS outreach program, students can work with food outside the classroom.

Internships and Research Projects:

Connect with Other Students:

CAREERS.

What are students doing at graduation?*

14%

Employed

45%

Grad School

20%

Seeking Employment

21%

Other

Where are students headed at graduation?*

Recent employers and job titles*

  • Department of Health and Environmental Control — Nutritionist 
  • Campbell’s — Research and Development
  • CTI Foods — Culinary Research and Development

Recent graduate schools and sought degree types*

  • Clemson University — Master’s
  • Medical University of South Carolina — DPT
  • Massachusetts General Hospital — RD

Common Career Areas**

  • Business and Technology
    • Quality Assurance
    • Food Safety
    • Quality Inspection
    • Process Inspection
    • Production Management
    • New Food/Flavor Chemistry
    • Sensory Evaluation
    • Applied Food Research
      • Preserving
      • Processing
      • Packaging
      • Storing
      • Delivering
    • Sales
    • Marketing
    • Consumer Education
  • Science
    • Basic Research
    • Food Microbiology/Food Chemistry
    • Product Development
    • Food Engineering
    • Food Safety
    • Quality Inspection
    • Quality Assurance
    • Process Inspection
  • Pre-Professional
    • Medicine
    • Pharmacy
    • Dentistry
    • Veterinary Sciences
    • Other Health Care Fields
*Represents only Clemson University graduates who completed Michelin® Career Center surveys from 2009 to 2011.
**Used w/permission from Univ. of Tennessee.
FIND OUT MORE.

Have more questions or want more information? Fill out the form below, which goes directly to the following department contact as well as our admissions office.

Katie Black, Student Recruitment Coordinator
888-472-5433 — hulse@clemson.edu