Online Education Options for Food Science Technicians

Food science technology applies the study of chemical, biological and physical makeup of food to its safe production, selection, preservation, packaging and distribution. Food scientists are involved in the food supply chain from the farm to the home, and food science technicians often serve the quality assurance role in the food production process. Food science professionals are employed in industry, academia and government, from home kitchens to the NASA space shuttle.

What Online Education Options are Available for Food Science Technicians?

Food science technicians ensure that food is prepared and served for safe consumption. They require high school diplomas at the very least but more typically diplomas or associate's degrees. Typical job duties include analysis, both quantitative and qualitative, of the chemical and physical properties of food. Advanced education can lead to jobs like food science technologist, food scientist or manager.
Broad areas of study within the food science field include food chemistry, engineering, microbiology and sensory science. Food scientists may obtain food industry positions as executives, product developers, brandy and wine makers, academics, technology directors, researchers, research chefs and quality assurance specialists. Food science coursework can frequently be found within academic programs in agricultural and nutrition.

Professional Association

The Institute for Food Technologists (IFT) offers introductory and advanced courses online. Focus areas, often spanning multiple courses, include product development, public policy and regulations, health and nutrition, and safety and defense. Professional development focus areas include finance, leadership, time management and project management. On-demand and live webcasts address current industry topics (www.ift.org)

Courses, Seminars and Workshops

Opportunities exist for short-term training, some without prerequisites, for people who either desire or have positions in the food industry. Individual online classes are available in nutrition and medical terminology, applied microbiology, world food and nutrition, food preservation and research methods. Representative workshops include food and water protection, foodborne illness, microbiology and worker hygiene. Short courses are also available and cover process control, dairy basics, hazard analysis fundamentals and sanitation.

Online Certificate Programs

Professional certificate programs with are available to those in the food industry. A certificate program might feature five courses and cover introductory food science, food processing, food safety and quality, chemical safety and biosecurity.
Graduate certificate programs (bachelor's degree required) comprised of 12-15 credit hours are available from several universities. Courses include nutrition and aging, food processing, food law and thermal processing. Graduate certificate programs that focus solely on food safety and defense are also available.

Undergraduate and Graduate Degree Programs

Online food science bachelor's and master's degree programs are available. The focus of such degrees may be in food science or food business operations. Master's degree programs often give students the choice between thesis and non-thesis tracks. Subjects addressed may include advanced topics in food analysis and chemistry, microbiology, statistics and quality assurance.