In DelVal's food science program you will study a range of topics that will prepare you for a career in the food industry. Courses range from nutrition, food chemistry and microbiology to product development, processing, and quality assurance and safety. Courses are specified by the Institute of Food Technologists and are recommended for students interested in graduate studies in food science, research, and applications in the food industry. You will learn through:
- small classes and close faculty interaction
- field trips and summer employment at area food processors and government laboratories
- internships, some paid, at area food corporations
You will engage in hands-on learning at DelVal's facilities, including:
- dedicated food science classroom with food preparation area
- food science teaching and research lab
- Life Sciences Building with seven classrooms and four multi-purpose labs
DelVal graduates of this program have been employed at top food corporations including Campbell's, Clemens Food Group, Wawa Bakeries, Godshall's Quality Meats, Del-Val Food Ingredients, Kellog's, McCormack, Ocean Spray, Pepsi, Turkey Hill and more.
See what "hands-on" means in Dr. Langston's chemistry labs.
Jobs and Internships
- Bimbo Bakeries
- Blommer's Chocolate
- Campbell's
- Clemons Food Group
- Del-Val Food Ingredients
- FreshPet
- IFF International Flavors and Fragrances
- Ingredion
- Just Born Quality Confections
- Keystone Winery
- Molson Coors
- Ocean Spray
- Owowcow Creamery
- Turkey Hill
- USDA Eastern Research Center
- Warrell Corporation
- Wawa
- World Flavors
Salaries in Food Science and Food Technology
Flavorist $141,000
Produce Developer $98,470
Research Chef $97,400
Sensory Evaluation Specialist $88,886
Food Scientist/Food Technologist. $86,000
Quality Assurance/Quality Control $77,000
Source: Institute of Food Technologists, Salary Survey 2022
Food science courses are specified by the Institute of Food Technologists and are recommended for students interested in graduate studies in food science, research, and applications in the food industry.
Core Food Science Courses
- Introduction to Food Science
- Sanitation and Safety
- Introduction to Nutrition
- Food Chemistry
- Food Microbiology
- Product Development
- Quality Assurance
- Food Analysis
- Food Processing
Recommended Minors
- Agribusiness
- Biochemistry
- Biotechnology
- Business Administration
- Communication
- Food Systems
- One Health Communication
- Policy Studies
- Writing
Four students with a passion in the food industry joined renowned Chef’s, Michael Solomonov, Lee Chizmar, Ryan Zellner, and Anthony Bonett for an episode of The Chef’s Kitchen College Campus Cooking, which aired on NBC10, and several other networks, reaching over 78 million households. The show provides tips and techniques from the country's most exclusive restaurants and features award-winning chefs, notable bakers, and the world's most-learned sommeliers.
The Experience360 Program in food science gives you the opportunity to apply classroom lessons to real-world activities through internships, career exploration experiences, student research, study abroad, leadership development and more.
Career Paths
With 100 percent of our students having real-world, hands-on experience, graduates with a degree in food science find careers in various areas of the industry such as:
- Product development
- Quality assurance and food safety
- Research and development
- Sensory evaluation
- Laboratory analytical testing
- Product management
I chose DelVal because of the small campus feel—I really enjoy that because you have a personal connection with your professors and get a lot of hands-on experience. And the job placement rate is amazing after graduation.
The One Health Communication minor provides students with the opportunity to bridge the study of writing and rhetoric with the sciences. Students who complete this minor will enhance their analytical and communication skills related to sciences including the University’s pre-veterinary, pre-health, STEM and science programs. They will gain skills for effectively communicating science topics to non-scientists and the general public.
The Food Industry Club is a student chapter of the Institute of Food Technologists.
Food Science students volunteer at the Philadelphia Flower Show for professional development.
Office Location: Mandel 109
