Food Science is the study of the transformation of biological materials into food products acceptable for human consumption. This requires studying diverse scientific disciplines related to food, including chemistry, engineering, microbiology, biochemistry, toxicology, and management; and effectively applying the industrial and practical aspects to product development, food processing, preservation, and marketing.
As a Food Science student, you’ll study everything that happens to food from the time it leaves the farm, field or water until the consumer buys it. You will use the biological and physical sciences to understand the nature of foods, causes of deterioration, and the principles underlying processing and improvement of foods for public consumption.
Upon completing your Food Science degree, you will have established broad expertise to be applied in a wide variety of employment opportunities and be prepared to climb the career ladder offered by food industries. You’ll find opportunities like:
With employers such as:
To learn more about this program, campus life, and chat with an advisor, schedule a campus visit. Virtual visits may be necessary in some cases.
Thanks to agreements through the Academic Common Market, students from the following states can enroll in the Food Science program at in-state tuition rates:
source: myUK: GPS
Please login to http://myUK.uky.edu to access your major map and personalized degree audit via the myUK Graduation Planning System (myUK GPS).
In addition to automatic and competitive scholarships from the University of Kentucky, our students are also eligible for a variety of awards from the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (CAFE). With one of the largest college-based scholarship programs, we have awarded more than $3 million over the past four years. These awards are based on a variety of criteria such as hometown, major, career goals, high school extracurriculars, and more.
For CAFE first-semester freshmen, the application opens on September 30, and the deadline will be Monday, January 22, 2022.
For CAFE transfer students and current students, the scholarship application opens January 3, and the deadline will be Monday, March 22, 2022.
Live where you learn:
The College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Living Learning Program (CAFE LLP) is open to all first-semester freshmen at the University of Kentucky.
All students participating in our living learning program will live in Woodland Glen IV, one of the University's newest residence halls.
Through field trips, professional development workshops and service programs, students in our LLP apply their knowledge and passion to global issues at the intersection of food, economics and environment. All students in this program will also enroll in connected courses, share study groups and have an assigned peer mentor - all to help with the transition to college life.
While all students will enjoy the same benefits, some events and projects will be geared toward students' preferences and career goals. Depending on interests, each student will join one of the following tracks:
To apply, select the "CAFE LLP" while completing the University of Kentucky housing application. For more information, visit the University of Kentucky Housing website.
Should you choose, you can gain international experience while earning credit towards your Food Sciences degree. We offer a variety of study, research, intern, and service abroad programs for all budgets and comfort levels. Some Food Sciences students have even earned grants and scholarships to fully fund their international experiences.
These programs are designed to broaden your mind and introduce you to unfamiliar ways of thinking and living. Ultimately, these experiences will make you a more competitive applicant in the global workforce.
Each year, many of our graduates attend professional schools in areas such as veterinary medicine, law, pharmacy, dentistry, and more. If you are interested in pursuing a similar path, we offer pre-professional advising services.
Our pre-professional advisors will assist you with:
Students can join organizations and clubs to learn outside the classroom, gain valuable work experience and develop their leadership skills. Many of our students are involved in:
Food Science Club
acquaints students with the food industry through extramural activities: outings, fundraisers and competitions
The Campus Kitchen
provides a sustainable approach to reducing food waste while providing meals to those struggling with hunger
Big Blue Pantry
students serve the along side members in a food pantry serving University of Kentucky students experiencing food insecurity
Agricultural and food scientists research ways to improve the efficiency and safety of agricultural establishments and products.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Click the link for more info.
Median Salary
$68,830
per year in 2018
Number of Jobs
34,800
in 2018
10 Year Job Outlook
2,000
new jobs (average)
Microbiologists study microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, algae, fungi, and some types of parasites.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Click the link for more info.
Median Salary
$84,400
per year in 2018
Number of Jobs
20,200
in 2018
10 Year Job Outlook
600
new jobs (average)
College of Agriculture, Food & Environment
N6 Agricultural Science Center
859-257-3469