Department of Food Science
Welcome to Penn State's home for food science.
The Department of Food Science includes researchers who are focused on food chemistry, food microbiology, food engineering, manufacturing and processing, and sensory and consumer science. We are interested in assuring a safe, healthy, and abundant supply of food for the community. Students earn undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degrees and work with world-class faculty on pioneering food research.
Latest News
Upcoming Events
Prospective Student Visit: Business, Education, and Community Interest Area
April 17, 2026
University Park, PA
Better Process Control School (Virtual)
April 20-28, 2026
Virtual Online Event
Seminar - Influence of Seasonal Variation on Polyphenol Composition and Phospholipase A2 Inhibitory Activity of Theobroma cacao
April 21, 2026
252 Erickson Food Science Building
Ag Sciences Student Panel: A Day in the Life and Q&A
April 21, 2026
Teaching
Food Science academic programs integrate the disciplines food chemistry, food microbiology, food engineering, manufacturing and processing, as well as sensory and consumer science, at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. Instruction is hands-on, industry focused, and grounded in research.
Research
Penn State is a Tier 1 Research University. Students from first-year students to doctoral candidates participate in meaningful research in our labs. Collaborative multidisciplinary signature areas include microbial food safety, food choice, food-based solutions for enhanced health, and the material nature of foods, as well as underlying cross-cutting research themes of food quality and food fermentation.
Extension and Outreach
Outreach connects the resources of the Department of Food Science with community members, industry, and institutions in Pennsylvania and beyond by offering the latest, applicable research-based, practical food science education.
