Food Science


Overview

Would you like to understand why some foods taste so good? Or why brightly coloured fruits and vegetables are good for your health? Or perhaps you want to learn how to invent exciting new foods like an avocado-based tiramisu dessert, a new type of veggie burger, or a high-protein/high-energy snack (all of which are award-winning creations from McGill Food Science students!)? The Food Science program will allow you to understand how to make our food safer, taste better, look more appealing and last longer. 

Food Scientists work to discover new ingredients and how they can be incorporated into foods. They study how flavours and colours develop when food is baked, roasted or fried. They also develop and apply techniques to make sure that all new products are safely processed and packaged. Food Science is a chemistry-based program, but your studies will also introduce you to various disciplines such as microbiology, physics, biochemistry, sensory analysis and engineering. 

This program will provide you with the much-needed skills and knowledge required for dealing with food development and safety in the modern world. Two options are available to Food Science students: Food Chemistry or Food Science.


Careers

Food Science is a multidisciplinary program that will prepare you for a variety of careers involving chemistry, food, and other sciences. 

  • Food industry 
  • Flavour industry 
  • Food safety and quality 
  • Technical sales and marketing 
  • Research (university, government, private sector) 
  • Food biotechnology 

Student experience

Hear it from Behrouz, I graduate from the BSc. Food Science program:

"My name is Behrouz, I am from Uzbekistan, and I started my journey at McGill’s Macdonald Campus in the BSc. Food Science program. I recently graduated and am now working in the domain of Scientific & Regulatory Affairs for a large food producer. One of my favorite classes was Food Microbiology. We learned all about fermentation processes and I used this knowledge to make my own cheese and wine. As part of the Food Chemistry option, I also conducted two research projects with my professors. This really helped me develop my critical thinking, problem solving, and project management skills, preparing me for a role in both industry and academia. At Mac, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved in your field outside of regular classes, which is critical to not only growing your network but also developing your soft skills. I really enjoyed my time at Mac and I highly recommend it to all aspiring Food Scientists!"

 


Possible minors

Minors are a great way to customize your academic experience. Many students use minors to pursue interests outside their major, while others choose minors to complement their degree.

Ready to apply?

For this program, you'll need to apply to the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Check the full admission requirements for information about deadlines and whether supporting documents are required as part of your application. 

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