Food Science Bachelor's Degrees
Turn your passion for food into a science-driven career. Our undergraduate program combines foundational sciences with real-world applications in food processing, chemistry and food safety. The Food Science Institute connects students with collaborative innovations to ensure safe, nutritious and sustainable foods while fostering future scientists, industry leaders and entrepreneurs.
Let us tell you more
On-Campus Curriculum Options
With two different pathway options, students can tailor their degrees while gaining hands-on experience in state-of-the-art laboratories, working alongside expert faculty, researchers and technicians. Our cutting-edge facilities support innovation in cereal grain, dairy, meat and poultry, egg processing, thermal and extrusion processing, fermentation, sensory analysis, and value-added food production, equipping students with the skills to excel in the evolving food industry.
Options for On-Campus Students:
- Science – Focuses on the fundamentals of food science, preparing students for technical roles, product development, and graduate school.
- Business and Operations Management – Combines food science with business studies, leading to careers in management, supply chain, and operations.
Online Curriculum Options
Kansas State University’s online food science degree program is nationally recognized for excellence, providing flexible and high-quality education for students pursuing careers in food development and production. With two specialized tracks to choose from, our program is led by top faculty in food chemistry, microbiology, safety, cereal grains and dairy science, meat science, food service, sensory analysis, food engineering, human nutrition, and product development, equipping graduates with the expertise needed to succeed in the food industry.
Options for Online Students:
- Business and Operations Management – Provides the knowledge and training needed to make strategic decisions in food industry management, supply chain and operations.
- Technology – Prepares students for technical roles in food production, quality assurance, research and product development with a strong foundation in applied food science.
The Food Science Institute
Our mission is to facilitate training of traditional and nontraditional students; support basic and applied research initiatives; and provide technical and scientific information to consumers, the food industry and governmental agencies.
- Dairy processing plant: 9,600-square foot facility.
- Food chemistry: Includes dry and wet laboratory.
- Food microbiology and safety: Internationally recognized for the development of rapid and automated microbial detection systems.
- Grain and bakery science: Two research locations, including the new Grain Science Center.
- Meat science: 23,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art facility.
Under development is the new Global Center for Grain and Food Innovation building. It will include three floors of teaching and modern research spaces, allocate 30% of the building for on-site industry collaboration, include studying spaces and much more.