Food Science at Michigan State University

Programme overview

The Bachelor of Science in Food Science stresses food safety and preservation and the application of scientific principles to control and enhance the flavor, color, texture and nutritive value of foods. The major and concentrations are approved by the Institute of Food Technologists Higher Education Review Board. Students complete one of four concentrations.

Faculty: College of Agriculture and Natural Resources | Department: Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition | Duration: 120 credits | Study mode: full-time | Location: East Lansing, MI, United States

What you will study

Core courses include FSC 211 Principles of Food Science, FSC 401 Food Chemistry, FSC 440 Food Microbiology, FSC 325 Food Processing: Unit Operations and FSC 470 Integrated Approaches to Food Product Development, with chemistry, biology, nutrition and calculus. Students choose a concentration in Basic Food Science, Food Business and Industry, Food Packaging or Food Technology, and complete at least 3 credits of experiential learning.

Career pathways

Employment in food and allied industries, federal and state governments and academia; preparation for graduate and professional school.

Official programme page

Application information

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Most first-year students enter in the fall semester. Admission to other semesters may be limited or not available at all.

Transfer applicants can apply for fall (August start), spring (January start) and summer (May start) semesters. International transfer students are not eligible for summer admission.

First-year early action deadline is Nov. 1 (non-binding), with an admission decision by Jan. 15 and the acceptance fee due by May 1. Regular admission has a Feb. 1 priority deadline (decision by Mar. 31) and a final application deadline of Apr. 1, with rolling decisions after Feb. 1. MSU is test optional: applicants may apply without an ACT or SAT score.

The first-year application fee is $75 (or an application fee waiver if eligible). First-year applicants can apply through the MSU application or the Coalition application with Scoir. The application for fall 2027 opens in August.

International first-year applicants have the same deadlines: early action Nov. 1, priority Feb. 1, final Apr. 1, acceptance fee by May 1.

Transfer application deadlines: fall April 1, spring open until capacity is reached, summer March 1. International transfer applicants for fall have a March 1 deadline and must pay the acceptance fee by April 1.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.msu.edu/apply/first-year

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