Food science also known as Food technology is a branch of science which deals with production, processing, preservation, packaging, labelling and distribution of food products.
The field deals with techniques processes that are involved in transformation of raw to edible food products. Extensive research and development goes into manufacturing food products and preserving them till they are distributed and sent to markets.
Food science courses are offered in both online as well as offline modes; These courses are offered at different levels like Certificate, Diploma, UG, PG and Doctorate.
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These Courses are offered in many levels and vary from a few months to 3-4 years. Many online platforms offer courses for free.
Students after completion of the food science courses can take up jobs in different domains such as Hospitals, Industries, Restaurants, Catering establishments etc.
The top recruiters are MTR, Dabur India, PepsiCo India, Perfetti India, Cadbury, Coca-Cola India etc; The average salary of a graduate is INR 2-8 LPA.
Food Science Courses: Highlights
Since Food science courses are pursued in PG, UG and short term certifications, these enhance employability and enrich students with rich knowledge about the arena. Below are highlights of different courses in offered in India
| Popular Courses |
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| Duration |
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| Eligibility |
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| Average Fees |
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| Online Courses | Available |
| Types of Online Courses | Coursera, edX etc (Paid and Unpaid) |
| Average Salary |
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By now we have ideas about different levels of courses being offered. Now let us look at them one by one.
Certificate Food Science Courses
The certificate Food science courses are offered through both offline and online mediums.
- Certificate Programs are specially designed to equip the candidates with additional skills as the food Industry advances everyday
- These Courses are helpful for somebody who wants to upgrade their skills while already working
- These courses do not demand complete attention from you hence is beneficial for busy people
Those students who are looking for a short-term course after completion of the schooling or are already working and want to upgrade their knowledge should opt for this course.
Earning these certificates help to increase their pay package and the average salary is about INR 2-5 LPA initially.
Online Food Science Certificate Programme
The table below shows some of the best food science certificate courses offered by online learning portals
| Certificate Name | Provider | Duration | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stanford Introduction to Food Health | Coursera/Stanford University | 7 hours | Free |
| The Science Of Gastronomy | Coursera/The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology | 25 hours | Free |
| Food Science and Processing | Class Central | 12 weeks | Free with Audit |
| Nutrition, Exercise and Sports | EdX | 4-8 hours / week for 6 weeks | INR 3617 |
These were just a few courses out of the multiple courses available online.
Offline Food Science Certificate Programme
Many Institutes and stand-alone training centres also offer Certificate courses in Food Science and Technology. Below table shows some of the best Courses available in offline mode.
| Course Name | College Offering | Average Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate in Food Production | Bangalore Institute For Science and Management, Bangalore IHM, Hyderabad Amazon College of Hotel Management, Andhra Pradesh | INR 40,000 |
| Certificate in Food Quality Manager | IIGMP IGNOU, Bangalore PIMS, Karnataka | INR 20,000 |
| Certificate in FSMS Internal Audit | IIGMP SGS, Mumbai | - |
How are Admissions in Certificate Programs of Food Science Courses Done?
Admissions are not done in a orderly manner like that of Degree or PG courses, neither are there any entrance exams for the admissions
- For online certificate course, admissions are done simply by enrolling into the programme in the providers website
- Institutes and training centres may or may not analyse your profile for admission but eligibility is given to those who have passed in 10+2 from a recognised board.
Colleges for Certificates Food Science Course
| College Name | Location |
|---|---|
| Institute of Hotel Management | Bangalore |
| Amrita Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology | Chennai |
| Bengal Institute of Hotel Management | West Bengal |
| Vel’s Institute of Hotel Management | Chennai |
Diploma and PG Diploma Food Science Courses
Diploma courses in Food Science are offered in both UG and PG levels and ask for different eligibility criteria. These courses can be taken up after completion of 10th or 12th standard.
- Diploma courses offer specific knowledge unlike the conventional degree course.
- They are resource efficient as they not only save money but also time.
- These courses also give flexibility to students to choose from a range of sub topics food science.
- The duration of Diploma UG course is 1 year whereas PG course is 1-2 years.
Students who are trying to save resources and are job oriented should opt for this course.
The average salary for a diploma course is INR 2-6 LPA.
Top Diploma and PG Diploma Food Science Courses
Below is the list of top diploma and PG Diploma courses offered in Food Science stream.
| Course | College Name | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Diploma Food Science and Quality control | BRABU, Bihar Vimala College, Kerala S Kula Women’s College, Manipur | - |
| Diploma Food Chemistry | Loyola College, Chennai VMOU, Kota | INR 2,000 – 7,0,000 |
| PG Diploma in Food Processing and Nutraceuticals | PMIS, Bangalore | INR 20,000 |
How are Admissions in a Diploma and PG Diploma Food Science Courses Done?
Admissions in the diploma course are done either through merit basis directly by applying for a college or through entrance exams.
- For diploma enrolment the scores of 10+2 are considered while graduation scores are considered for PG enrolment
- Entrance exams are also held for diploma enrolment where a cut-off score is taken as eligibility criteria.
Diploma and PG Diploma Food Science Courses Entrance Exams
| Entrance Exam | Exam date | Conducting Body | Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| DCET | To be Announced | Govt. Karnataka | Offline |
| JEXPO | To be Announced | WBSCTE | Online |
| VOCLET | To be Announced | WBSCTE | Online |
College for Diploma and PG Diploma in Food Sciences Courses
| College Name | Location |
|---|---|
| IEC University | Solan |
| IFTM | Moradabad |
| Tripura Institute of Technology | Agartala |
| NSIBM | Jamshedpur |
| STC | Elura |
Bachelor Food Science Courses
PG courses are the most opted Food Science course as many students look to earn a full-time degree. These courses require a full-time campus education.
- The duration of the degree course is from 3-4 years.
- Degree course comes in both generalised and specialization form.
- These courses provide a strong base and rich knowledge to students.
Students willing to dedicate their entire time on the course and want to be in this field should opt for this course. UG degree course further creates room for students to pursue further studies and specialize in one arena of Food Science.
Average Salary for a UG student is about INR 3-6 LPA.
Top Undergraduate (UG) Food Science Courses
| Course | College Name | Fees | Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| BSc Biochemistry | Yuvaraja's College, Mysore Jadavpur University, Kolkata College of Food and Technology | INR 65000-2,00,000 | Science |
| BTech Food Processing | NIT, Rourkela Osmania University, Hyderabad Rai University, Ahmedabad | INR 50,000-1,50,000 | Engineering |
| BSc Food Technology | ITM University, Gwalior Adikavi Nannaya University, Rajahmundry | INR 20,000-60,000 | Science |
How are Admissions in Bachelor Food Science Courses Done?
Admissions in bachelor’s degree in food science is done either through merit basis or through entrance exams held.
- The majority of the institutes and colleges offering the BSc Food Technology program admit students on the basis of their results during the admission test carried out by the admission authorities, followed by subsequent admission rounds.
- A merit list will be prepared by the universities on the basis of Class 12 marks and entrance examination marks.
- For document verification, the shortlisted candidates will be called upon. The applicants will be offered admission to the course after satisfactory verification of the documents.
Bachelor Food Science Courses Entrance Exams
The table below gives details of entrance exams held for UG admissions for food science courses
| Entrance Exam | Exam Dates | Conducting Body | Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| KCET | To be Announced | Govt. Karnataka | Offline |
| BITSAT | To be Announced | BITS | Online |
| SRMJEEE | To be Announced | SRMIST | Online |
Colleges for Bachelor Food Science Courses (h3)
The table below shows some of the best colleges in India for degree in food science
| NIRF Ranking | Name of College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | Andhra University | Visakhapatnam |
| 30 | Mahatma Gandhi University | Kottayam |
| 34 | JSSA of Higher Education and Research | Mysore |
| 64 | Calicut University | Calicut |
| 83 | University of Agricultural Sciences | Raichur |
| 101-150 | Lovely Professional University | Jalandhar |
Master Food Science Courses
Master courses are pursued by students who have a zeal for more specializations in Food Science. It is a full time PG programme of 2 years. Students with a Bachelor’s degree in Food Science are eligible for Masters.
- The masters course has a duration of 2years.
- Masters course refines skills of a student and enable them to solve more complex issues
- Makes room for further studies and makes one eligible for a Doctorate programme.
Those students who want to enter the Research and Development field should opt for this course.
The average salary of a UG graduate in Food Science is INR 3-12 LPA in the beginning.
Top Postgraduate (PG) Food Science Courses
Given below are details of top PG Food Science Course
| Course Name | Top College | Average Fees | Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSc Food Technology | Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottyam Punjab Agriculture university, Ludhiana Guru Nanak Dev University, Rohtak | INR 20,000-70,000 | Science |
| MSc Food Processing | LPU, Phagwara IGNOU, New Delhi BHU, Varanasi | INR 1,00,000- 3,00,000 | Science |
| MSc Food microbiology | Central Food Research Technological Research Institute University of Delhi Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University | INR 10,000-1,00,000 | Science |
| MTech Advanced Food Technology | Jadavpur University, Kolkata Anna University, Chennai Jain University, Bangalore | INR 50,000-2,00,000 | Engineering |
How are Admissions in Master Food Science Courses Done?
Admission to Masters in Food Technology program will be done on the basis of the candidate's performance in the entrance test conducted by the admission authority. However, some universities/ colleges offer admission to this program based on the candidate’s performance in the Bachelor’s degree examination.
- To obtain M.Sc. admission. Candidates are expected to score high marks in the Bachelor's degree examination for the Food Technology course.
- Candidates will be shortlisted for further admission rounds based on the marks earned in the Bachelor's degree exam and personal interview.
College for Master Food Science Courses
The table below shows some of the best colleges in India to pursue computer courses in both the science domain and computer application domain at the PG level.
| NIRF Ranking | College Name | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 49 | Mahatma Gandhi University | Kottayam |
| 60 | Govind Ballabh Pant University | Pantanagar |
| 75 | Punjab Agricultural University | Ludhiana |
| 81 | Guru Nanak Dev University | Amritsar |
Doctorate Food Science Courses
PhD in Food Science is a research-based doctorate course in Food Technology and its related fields. It deals with all the fields of food technology including Food Chemistry, Vegetable and Cereal Technology, Dairy and Poultry Technology, Food Quality Control, etc.
- The minimum duration for these courses is 2 years though it can be extended based on the research and other parameters.
- After PhD
- students get an opportunity to become teachers and lecturers in some colleges.
The average Salary after completion of PhD is INR 4-10 LPA.
Top PhD Food Science Courses
| Course Name | Top College | Average Fees |
|---|---|---|
| PhD Food Technology | Mysore University, Mysore Amity University, Noida Shoolini University, Solan | INR 11,000- 1,50,000 |
| PhD Food Processing | School of Engineering and Technology, Bangalore | - |
How are Admission in Doctorate Food Science Courses done?
Admissions in doctorate courses in India are mainly done through entrance exams.
- Some colleges and universities can also administer their own exams for admission to PhD Food Technology courses along with these entrance exams.
- UGC-NET and UGC-CSIR-NET are some popular entrance exams for this course.
- Students need to have a master food science degree or PG Diploma in order to be eligible for doctorate food science courses.
Colleges for Doctorate Food Science Courses
The table below shows some of the best colleges to pursue a Food science course at the doctorate level.
| NIRF Ranking | College Name | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 47 | Mysore University | Mysore |
| 63 | Amity University | Noida |
| 121 | Amity University | Jaipur |
| 129 | Shoolini University | Solan |
| 137 | Islamic University of Science and Technology | Pulwama |
What are the Top Job Options After Food Science Courses?
Students currently studying for a degree in food science and wondering about the career options after the completion of the degree, must know that there are some directly related jobs to a food science degree.
There are some job roles that may not directly relate to their degree, but the skills equipped by them during the course can be used in many other ways for other different roles.
Making a career in the food industry is self-satisfactory, especially when the people who work behind producing a product see their products on a supermarket shelf.
Food Technologist
A food technologist is the individual who determines the protection, quality and legal issues associated with a food item. The direct involvement of food technologists may be in the food product manufacturing unit or in the production of recipes for different foods and beverages.
Starting Salary: INR 3-5.5 LPA
Skills Required
- Well acquainted with a variety of cuisines and cooking styles.
- Has relational abilities and good communication skills.
- Creative & inventory
- Lot of travelling
- Attention to detail
Quality Manager
Quality managers aim to ensure that the product or service an organisation provides is fit for purpose, is consistent and meets both external and internal requirements. This includes legal compliance and customer expectations.
As a quality manager, sometimes called a quality assurance manager, you will coordinate the activities required to meet these quality standards.
Starting Salary: INR 4.6-11 LPA
Skills Required
- Communication and interpersonal skills.
- Analytical and problem-solving ability.
- Planning and project management skills.
- Persistence and the ability to influence others
- The ability to lead and motivate a team.
- A strategic approach to work.
- The ability to facilitate change.
Nutritional Therapist
As a nutritional therapist, your focus is on the belief that there are nutritional and biochemical imbalances in the body that lead to ill health. You will therefore take a holistic approach to your clients, devising for them a personalised nutrition and lifestyle plan to help maintain their well-being.
Starting Salary: INR 2.4-10 LPA
Skills Required
- The ability to communicate with a range of clients.
- A confident and professional approach for work.
- Time management skills
- Report writing skills
- Administration, Marketing and Finance skills.
Product/Process Development Scientist
Manufacturing companies need development scientists to understand and control the processes used to make a diverse range of products, including food, medicine, cosmetics, and paint. Working as a scientist in process development, you will aim to optimise the performance of manufacturing systems.
Starting Salary: INR 5-20 LPA.
Skills Required
- Good communication skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Excellent organisation skills
- The ability to work independently without much supervision
- Drive, enthusiasm, and self-motivation.
What Skills are Required in Food Science Courses?
Employers look for students with multiple skills and those who can quickly learn new ones. Below we have compiled a list of Skills required for a Food Science student.
Product Development
Product development is the complete process of delivering a new product or improving an existing one for customers. The customers can be external or internal within a company. And it can support many different types of products from software to hardware, to consumer goods and services.
Top Product Development Courses
| Course | Provider | Duration | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Product Development | Coursera/University of Virginia | 5 months | Free |
| New Product Development | Coursera/Israel Institute of Technology | 21 hours | Free |
| Product Development Master Course | Udemy | 26 hours | INR 360 |
Product Development Course Syllabus
| Idea Generation | Following trends of new products |
| Critical Success factors | Mapping new product development process |
| What to develop | How to develop complex products |
Product Development Job Profiles
- Product Manager
- Business Development Manager
- New product commercialization Manager
Quality Control
Quality control is essential to building a successful business that delivers products that meet or exceed customers' expectations. It also forms the basis of an efficient business that minimizes waste and operates at high levels of productivity.
Top Quality Control Courses
| Courses | Provider | Duration | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality Control Training | Training Bangalore | 30+ hours | - |
| Quality Control and Quality Assurance | PIMS, Bangalore | 3 months | - |
| Principles of Manufacturing | EdX | 1.5 years | INR 93,007 |
Quality Control Course Syllabus
| Introduction | Quality control of solid dosage |
| Manufacturing Systems | Statistical Quality control |
Quality Control Job Profiles
- Quality Assurance Executive
- General Manager
- Product Quality Assurance-Officer.
Food Science Courses: FAQs
Ques. Are opportunities in food science limited geographically?
Ans. No, there are plenty of opportunities not just in India but also in foreign countries like the USA, UK etc.
Ques. Is it a good choice to pursue food technology from LPU?
Ans. Yes, it is a right choice to pursue food technology from LPU since the university has a good curriculum and has ties with the corporate world as well.
Ques. Who are the top recruiters for professionals in this field?
Ans. Many giant companies like Minute maid, Cadbury, Preffetti, Nestle etc hire graduates in the food science stream.
Ques. What is the average initial salary for graduates in MSc food technology?
Ans. The average initial salary for graduates in MSc food technology is INR 5-8 LPA.
Ques. How can an individual make a difference?
Ans. The first thing people can do is to be aware of the issues in the food industry; When we are aware of the problems then we can always come up with solutions for it.
Ques. Which is the best university to pursue food science in India?
Ans. Institute of Food Science and Technology is ranked among the top. There are many other universities/colleges as well.
Ques. What about travelling opportunities for people working in this industry?
Ans. People working in the Food industry will get to travel a lot since the industry is global; Depending on the position of your job you may have to move around a lot.
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