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Food science is the study of the physical, biological, and chemical makeup of food; and the concepts underlying food processing. Food technology is the application of food science to the selection, preservation, processing, packaging, distribution, and use of safe food. Food science and Technology contributes to ensuring our food supply is secure, safe, nutritious, flavorful, economical, convenient, and sustainable.
The Bachelor’s degree in Food Science and Technology at Cal State LA provides knowledge and skills in the area of food safety, food preservation technologies, food analysis, quality assurance, and new product development.
Food Microbiology
Food Chemistry
Food Preservation
Students with a B.S. degree in Food Science can work in government agencies, food industry, or research institutions. Industry positions include production manager, quality control manager, technical service leader, sales representative, regulatory affairs manager, new products innovation manager, health inspection, and research and development. The degree also prepares students for graduate study in Food Science and Technology and related fields. According to IFT's 2017 Employment & Salary Survey Report, the median salary for professionals working in the science of food is $92,000. Food science graduates entering the field received a median salary starting at $50,000.
2017 IFT Employment & Salary Survey Findings
| Food Science Jobs and Median Salary |
| Food Science Jobs | Median Salary |
| Flavorist | $123,500 |
| Food Engineer | $108,500 |
| Packaging Scientist | $98,600 |
| Technical Sales Representative | $91,250 |
| Product Manager | $91,000 |
| Product Developer | $83,000 |
| Chemist | $82,000 |
| Sensory Evaluation Specialist | $76,000 |
| Research Chef | $75,000 |
| Food Scientist/Food Technologist | $71,820 |
| Microbiologist | $65,000 |
| Quality Assurance/Quality Control (not a supervisor or director) | $57,000 |
| Median Salary by Degree and Years of Experience |
| Degree | Starting Salary | Salary at 6-10 year |
| Bachelor’s | $50,000 | $73,000 |
| Master’s | $55,000 | $82,375 |
| MBA | $49,660 | $95,000 |
| Doctorate | $82,250 | $94,000 |
Cal State LA is a premier public university in the heart of Los Angeles and is dedicated to engagement, service, and the public good. It is ranked No. 1 in the nation for upward mobility.
Well-Paid Jobs
A large number of food industries are located in and around Los Angeles, providing plenty of job opportunities for Food Science graduates. All of the graduates from the Food Science program in previous years are currently employed with various food industries and federal and state government agencies. A few of our graduates are employed with companies such as Amazon, Kellogg, Sunkist, Herbalife, and Gold Coast Ingredients.
Professional Development and Scholarships
Cal State LA food science program works closely with the Southern California Institute of Food Technologist (IFT) Section (SCIFTS). SCIFTS is the largest regional section of IFT, which provides opportunities for student scholarships (see Student Achievements), travel funds to professional conferences, product development competition, college bowl, industry tour, etc. Its monthly dinner meetings are great opportunities for students to connect with future employers, advisors, and collaborators.
Faculty
The program faculty are experts in Food Microbiology (safety) and Food Chemistry (quality). Other faculty members are industrial professionals and have expertise and first-hand experience in the specific fields they teach such as quality assurance, food laws and regulations, food product development, and food safety programs.
Facility
The Food Science and Technology program at Cal State LA has excellent laboratory facilities. The program is well equipped with three teaching and research laboratories where students work on projects that have real world applications in food science.
Research
The faculty in the program are keen on undergraduate research. Students interested in research and graduate studies could participate in research projects. Many students had presented in regional and national conferences.
Involvement and Leadership Development
The FST program also hosts an IFT chartered student organization, Food Science and Technology Association, which actively participates in regional college bowl and new food product development competitions.
Applicants must apply between October 1st and November 30th. Go to the following webpages to apply:
Freshman /admissions/freshman-application-and-admission
Transfer students /admissions/transfer-application-and-admission
If you have any questions, contact us at /hhs/kns/food-science-and-technology-interest-form
Course requirements for the degree can be found at the University Catalog: http://ecatalog.calstatela.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=26&poid=11196
Sunil Mangalassary, PhD.
Associate director and Associate Professor
Teaching: FST 3250 Food Microbiology, FST 4290 Food Packaging, FST 4790 Professional Interactions and Writing Skills, FST 4380 Foodborne Illness - Etiology, Prevention And Control
Research: Food microbiology, food packaging
[email protected]
/faculty/sunil-mangalassary
Jing Zhao, PhD.
Assistant Professor
Teaching: FST 3200 Food Chemistry, FST 3230 Food Analysis, FST 4210 Sensory Evaluation of Food Products, FST 4250 Food Preservation, FST 4600 Animal Food Products Technology, FST 4540 Special Topic in Food Science
Research: food chemistry, flavor chemistry
[email protected]
/faculty/jing-zhao
Troy Aykan
Lecturer
Teaching: FST 3320 Food Law
[email protected]
Ashkan Motamedi
Lecturer
Teaching: FST 3270 Principles of Food Engineering
[email protected]
Azita Tabatabaei
Lecturer
Teaching: FST 4440 Food Safety Programs, FST 4750 Food Safety: Current Challenges and Trends
[email protected]
Efran K. Tash
Lecturer
Teaching: FST 4460 Food Product Development
[email protected]
Jason Wang
Lecturer
Teaching: FST 4310 Quality Assurance of Food Products
[email protected]
- Food Microbiology Research Lab
- Food Chemistry Research Lab
- Research Projects
- Capsaicinoids in snack products and their stability under thermal processing conditions. (Violet Perez)
- Violet Perez, an FST undergraduate, presented her research on capsaicinoids at 2019 Institute of Food Technologists Annual Meeting in New Orleans
-
Functional properties of rice bran proteins and germinated brown rice protein extracted from three methods. (E. Salami)
- Growth rate and antioxidant activities of mealworms fed with antioxidant-supplemented diets. (Jasmin Masri, Violet Perez)
- The influence of roasting and brewing methods on the caffeine content and antioxidant activities of coffee. (Marcus Forsel, Alex McCombe)
- Characterization of betalain pigments from plants. (Phillip Samples)
- Capsaicinoids in snack products and their stability under thermal processing conditions. (Violet Perez)
- Research Projects
- University & College recognitions
- 2014 RSCA poster competition, first place - Samantha Ton, Whitney Olson, Monique Wilcots
- 2014 Honors Convocation, recognition for undergraduate student from KNS – Marie Julie Richer –Roy
- 2017 Honors Convocation, recognition for undergraduate student from KNS – Brenda Rojas
- 2019 – Honors Convocation, recognition for undergraduate student from KNS – Violet Perez
- Peer-reviewed journal publications (FST undergraduate student authors underlined)
- Liu, C., Masri, J., Perez, V., Maya, C., & Zhao, J.* (2020). Growth Performance and Nutrient Composition of Mealworms (Tenebrio Molitor) Fed on Fresh Plant Materials-Supplemented Diets. Foods, 9(2), 151.
- Presentations: National, University
- 2012 IFT: Monique Wilcots, Dorothy Wong, Roden Cortez
- 2013 AACI: Marie Julie Richer-Roy
- 2014 RSCA: Samantha Ton, Whitney Olson, Monique Wilcots
- 2017 RSCA symposium: Phillip Samples
- 2018 RSCA symposium: Ekinadose Salami, Jasmin Masri, Violet Perez, Alex McCombe, Marcus Forsell
- 2018 IFT: Ekinadose Salami, Jasmin Masri, Violet Perez
- 2019 RSCA symposium: Ekinadose Salami, Violet Perez
- 2019 State-wide competition: Ekinadose Salami, Violet Perez
- 2019 IFT: Ekinadose Salami, Violet Perez
- Product Development Competitions
- 2015 First place – Southern California Industry Food Product Development Competition – Andrew Aguilar, Noelle Eagle, Brittany Heckel, Altagracia Perez
- 2016 First place – Southern California Industry Food Product Development Competition - Arturo Jordan, Ruby Mendoza, Hayk Harutyunyan, Yesenia Gonzalez
- 2016 Third place – American Association of Cereal Scientists National Product Development competition - Hayk Harutyunyan
- 2017 Third place – Southern California Industry Food Product Development Competition - Jasmin Masri, Janet Santos, Vanessa Herrera, Crystal Sandova
- Scholarships
- 2012 - Kraft General Foods Scholarship from the American Association of Cereal Chemists International – Marie-Julie Richer-Roy
- 2013 - Kraft General Foods Scholarship from the American Association of Cereal Chemists International – Marie-Julie Richer-Roy
- 2013 - Phil Bates Scholarship by Southern California Institute of Food Technologists - Marie-Julie Richer-Roy, Samantha Ton
- 2014 - Phil Bates Scholarship by Southern California Institute of Food Technologists – Marie-Julie Richer-Roy
- 2015 - Phil Bates Scholarship by Southern California Institute of Food Technologists – Brittany Heckel, Ka Kit Yam
- 2015 - Southern California Association of Food Protection Scholarship - Hayk Harutyunyan
- 2016 - Phil Bates Scholarship by Southern California Institute of Food Technologists – Hayk Harutyunyan, Ruby Mendoza, Vanessa Herrera
- 2018 - Phil Bates Scholarship by Southern California Institute of Food Technologists – Jasmin Masri, Kimberly Gonzalez
- 2019 - Phil Bates Scholarship by Southern California Institute of Food Technologists – Jason Dial
- Travel Grant
The Student Club, Food Science and Technology Student Association was chartered by the Institute of Food Technologist as its student chapter in 2013. The club has been instrumental in organizing many events on campus in addition to preparing FST students for College Bowl and New Food Product Development competitions. Check out the club activities and updates on social media as shown below.
Cal State LA students from non-FST majors are also welcome to join the student association. Email Food Science and Technology Association ([email protected]) to join the club TODAY!
Video coming soon...
COVID-19 responses by food scientists: Dr. Sunil Mangalassary
Cooking class: Louisiana Gumbo with Chef Andrew Vaughan. Dec 6, 2019
Volunteering at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. Nov. 2nd, 2019
Celebration of ten-year anniversary of Food Science and Technology Program at Cal State LA. Sep. 26, 2019
