About the Department
The Department of Food Science at Penn State is one of the premier food science departments in the country.
The Department of Food Science is Penn State’s home for the emerging technologies and best practices required for producing, safe, delicious, nutritious food. Our small-school atmosphere facilitates a warm, welcoming, intellectually stimulating, and professional environment.
Our work is closely aligned with the demands of industry and the needs of the community. We boast state-of-the-art facilities and world-class faculty with years of working experience in their fields.
Student success drives the department. Our undergraduate Food Science major offers students hands-on science with real-world applications, strong internship experiences, wide-ranging scholarship opportunities, and excellent job placement.
Our graduate program offers master of science and doctor of philosophy degrees. Graduate students receive in-depth training in the core disciplines of food chemistry, food microbiology, food engineering and processing, and sensory evaluation.
Research is facilitated through core disciplines as well as following collaborative multidisciplinary signature areas: 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. Students can participate in meaningful research from the first semester of their first year.
Meet our faculty, staff, and students, and see why we are one of the premier food science departments in the country.
Latest News
March 5, 2025
Sending a 'We Are!' to these Penn Staters — March 5
As part of our regular “We Are!” feature, we recognize 17 Penn Staters who have gone above and beyond what’s asked of them in their work at the University.
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February 27, 2025
Penn State Ag student Auja Bywater wins global research award
Auja Bywater, a doctoral student in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, has been awarded second prize in the Global Challenges University Alliance 2030 research competition.
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January 24, 2025
Penn State alumnus Nedoroscik and DWTS cast swing by Penn State Berkey Creamery
Penn State’s own Stephen Nedoroscik, gymnast, Olympic medalist and standout on the last season of “Dancing With the Stars,” accompanied by several of his castmates, made a sweet return to campus Thursday with a visit to what he said is one of his favorites — the Berkey Creamery.
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January 14, 2025
How the Penn State Food Science Club Helps Shape the Food Scientists of Tomorrow
This year marks the 51st anniversary of the Penn State Food Science Club, an organization that, in affiliation with the Institute of Food Technologists Student Association (IFTSA), promotes community within the university’s Department of Food Science while also providing networking and career opportunities to students.
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Upcoming Events

Preventive Controls for Human Foods Training for PCQI Recognition - Harrisburg , PA
March 10-12, 2025
Farm Show Complex – Monongahela Room, Harrisburg, PA 2300 N Cameron St. - Monongahela Room Harrisburg, PA 17110

Prospective Student Visit: Business, Education, and Community Interest Area
March 17, 2025
University Park, PA

“A Taste of Food Science” Prospective Student Event
March 25, 2025
252 Rodney A. Erickson Food Science Building, University Park, PA 16802

Prospective Student Visit: Business, Education, and Community Interest Area
April 4, 2025
University Park, PA
Department of Food Science
- Email foodsci@psu.edu
- Office (814) 865-5444
- Fax (814) 863-6132