EASYUNI Ultimate University Guide 2013 Issue 4 | Page 39

CO U R S E S & C A REERS

The Life of Food Scientists and
Technologists
Among other things, food scientists modify existing products and
develop new ones, oversee quality control procedures from start
to finish, analyse consumer market research, select base product
materials based on cost and quality, address food safety issues,
perform external site audits, investigate product issues, compile
product labels, improve food processing efficiency and review the
sustainability of production processes. How much of these you will
do depends on your position, experience and employer.
The food manufacturing industry may also require their scientists
to develop replicable and efficient processes, cooperate with
colleagues to procure raw materials, handle quality control, and
prepare solutions to unforeseen problems. In the public sector,
food scientists will administer and devise policies for governmental
departments and enforce the roles of local authority health
departments. If you are a retail food scientist, you will work closely
with your suppliers on issues of quality.
You need to excel in chemistry and biology in high school,
since an understanding of both is beneficial when analysing all
interactions between foods of a natural or synthetic nature.

Training for Food Scientists and Technologists
Many universities offer degree
programmes related to the food
technology industry such as a
Bachelor’s or a Master’s degree
in food technology. However, if
the university you had planned to
attend does not have this option,
don’t worry. Taking biology,
chemistry and anatomy as subjects

in your pre-university course can
open a path to an internship which
can fill the gaps.
Most people who enter this
field do so with a diploma and a
degree. There are some reputable

qualifications offered in the UK
from the renowned Business and
Technology Education Council
(BTEC), offering a Higher National
Diploma (HND) in food technology.
Degrees usually require completion
of the five GCSEs in addition to
all of the other courses. Also,
at least two or three levels of
advanced chemistry and/or biology,
courses like production planning,
chemical engineering, marketing
and consumer research should be
taken even if they are not degree
requirements.
If you have a degree in a field
not directly related to the food
sciences, you can increase your
chances of achieving employment
in that industry by working in a
related field such as food safety or
food quality management. If you
have the necessary qualifications,
you have another alternative
which is to begin working as a
lab technician, assuming you have
the skill sets and work your way
through the industry. It is also
possible to get an internship with

a company that directly relates to
food science while getting your
degree or after you have gained it.
To find a college or university that
offers a specialised degree in food
technology, career and education
websites like the Universitie ́