Missouri Southern’s new Food Science and Nutrition undergraduate degree is a great addition to the kinesiology program. This four-year program aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the intricate aspects of food science, nutrition, and human health.
What is Food Science and Nutrition?
Food Science and Nutrition is the study of the science behind food production and consumption and its relation to human health. Housed in MSSU’s kinesiology department, the program takes a multidisciplinary approach, drawing from various STEM fields such as biology, chemistry, physics, physiology, nutrition, microbiology, and more for a well-rounded curriculum.
What will students study?
Students will explore the fundamental principles of food science, including food safety, processing, packaging, quality assurance, food policies, and regulations. Hands-on learning experiences like internships and courses such as Food Processing, Food Chemistry and Analysis, and Nutrition and Development prepare students for success within the field.
Students will also learn about trending topics in food science and nutrition such as food dyes, seed oils, ultraprocessed foods, the gut microbiome, and food as medicine. Courses like Principles of Food Processing, Food Microbiology, and Food & Agriculture Law will address some of these topics.
Unique learning opportunities
A lab in Reynold’s Hall is currently being renovated for the Food Science and Nutrition program. Several classes will be held in this room namely Food Preparation and Principles of Food Processing as well as electives like Pet Food Processing and Baking Science. The lab will be used for food preparation and is equipped with food-grade materials. Students may also eat what they make in the lab.
“This lab provides students a dedicated space to apply the concepts they are learning,” said Dr. Andrea Cullers, chair of the kinesiology department. “This is a very immersive, hands-on degree with students learning the content and then directly applying it in this lab space.”
Why pursue this degree?
MSSU is the second university in Missouri to offer this program, a unique opportunity to those interested in pursuing food sciences and nutrition. Food Science and Nutrition has seen a 13% growth rate nationwide, offering students a chance to pursue a field that has many job opportunities.
“High school seniors are now applying to college and declaring their major,” said Cullers. “We had a Lion Pride Visit day in February and several students came by to learn more about the degree, and there are several seniors planning to pursue it. We are working hard to get the word out to the community and local high schools so that they know this new program has started.”
Careers in Food Science and Nutrition are varied. Nutritionist, dietitian, and quality assurance are common paths. This degree will allow students to apply critical thinking and analytical skills to detect problems in food and nutritional sciences, participating in the design and evaluation of solutions that advance the field.
“When I started working at MSSU 13 years ago, we offered very few nutrition courses, so having this program here is very exciting,” Cullers said. “This is a growing field, especially in our area. Food Science and Nutrition will provide students with so many fantastic career opportunities.”
To learn more about the Food Science and Nutrition program, please visit their webpage.
