Food Science Degree

The food science program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University prepares students for careers in new product development, food business management, ingredient technology, food safety, food analysis, process development, technical consulting, and more. The program focuses on application of biological, chemical, and physical principals of converting raw agricultural products into processed forms suitable for direct human consumption. Program courses include: human physiology and nutrition, food chemistry, agricultural products processing, food additives, food preparation and packaging, and human health and safety. Get more details below including other Virginia colleges that offer food science degrees.

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Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

100 VHCC Drive, Abingdon, VA

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, known as "Virginia Tech," is a leading research institution - ranked 44^th in the U.S. for its university research programs.  Virginia Tech is a land-grant institution located in Blacksburg, Virginia on 2,600 acres.  It offers nearly 70 undergraduate and 150 graduate degree programs. Virginia Tech's motto, Ut Prosim, translates from the Latin as "That I May Serve." It fulfills this motto through a dedication to learning, discovery and engagement.

Virginia Tech is comprised of eight colleges and a graduate school. Its campuses feature an airport, a computing and communications complex with international access, an adjacent corporate research center, and more.

History

Founded in 1872, Virginia Tech was originally called Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College. The name was changed in1896 to Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute.  This name was so long that locals shortened it to "VPI."  After the name change, a new school spirit cheer was needed.  A contest was held to select a new, more suitable cheer. 1896 graduate, O.M. Stull, won the top prize for the cheer he created, which is known as "Old Hokie."  The school mascot, which originally was a turkey, eventually became a "Hokiebird."  Today the mascot wears an orange and maroon bird costume that somewhat resembles a turkey.

The school colors of burnt orange and maroon were chosen in 1896.

Virginia Tech is one of only three public universities in the U.S. that still has both an active corps of cadets and civilian students on campus. Historically, Virginia Tech required corps participation for all able-bodied males.  This tradition continued until 1964, when corps participation became voluntary.

Academics

Virginia Tech follows the semester-format academic calendar with fall and spring semesters, and two shorter summer sessions.

Colleges and Schools

Virginia Tech's colleges are:

• Agriculture & Life Sciences
• Architecture & Urban Studies
• Business, Pamplin College of
• Engineering
• Graduate Studies
• Liberal Arts & Human Sciences
• Natural Resources and Environment
• Science
• University Studies
• Veterinary Medicine

As an enhancement to its academic, outreach and research programs, Virginia Tech has created schools in its colleges and in affiliation with Wake Forest University. Virginia Tech's schools are:

• School of Architecture and Design (Part of the College of Architecture and Urban Studies)
• School of Public and International Affairs (Part of the College of Architecture and Urban Studies)
• School of Visual Arts (Part of the College of Architecture and Urban Studies)
• School of Performing Arts and Cinema (Part of the College of Liberal Arts & Human Sciences)
• Virginia Tech-Wake Forest University School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences (Part of the College of Engineering and the College of Veterinary Medicine)
• School of Education (Part of the College of Liberal Arts & Human Sciences)
• Myers-Lawson School of Construction (Part of the College of Engineering and the College of Architecture and Urban Studies)
• Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute

Student Life

Virginia Tech offers more than 600 student clubs and organizations, including fraternities and sororities, and only three people are required to form a new student club.

There are several residence halls to choose from for on-campus living, and there are also on-campus dining venues.

Athletics

Virginia Tech has 21 "Hokie" athletics teams that compete in intercollegiate sports, which include:

Men's Sports:

• Baseball
• Basketball
• Cross Country
• Football
• Golf
• Soccer
• Swimming & Diving
• Tennis
• Track and Field
• Wrestling 

Women's Sports:

• Basketball
• Cross Country
• Golf
• Lacrosse
• Soccer
• Softball
• Swimming & Diving
• Tennis
• Track and Field
• Volleyball 

Satellite Campuses

In addition to its main Blacksburg campus, Virginia Tech offers classes and programs online, as well as at the following satellite campuses and centers:

• Western Campus
• Valley Campus
• National Capital Region
• Central Campus
• Hampton Roads Center
• Capital Campus
• Corporate Research Center

Community Life

Blacksburg is a traditional college town, situated between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny mountains, in Virginia's New River Valley.  Blacksburg has been ranked one of the best places to live in the nation and one of the "50 Best Small Southern Towns," thanks to its moderate climate, affordable cost of living, low crime rate, stable community and small town charm.

Students Enrolled in the Food Science Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University offers a bachelor's degree program in food science.

Students by Gender (2019)

Students by Race (2019)

Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.

Career Options for Graduates

Food Scientists and Technologists

Description

Use chemistry, microbiology, engineering, and other sciences to study the principles underlying the processing and deterioration of foods; analyze food content to determine levels of vitamins, fat, sugar, and protein; discover new food sources; research ways to make processed foods safe, palatable, and healthful; and apply food science knowledge to determine best ways to process, package, preserve, store, and distribute food.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, food scientists and technologists employment is expected to grow at a rate of 3.5% from 2014 to 2024

Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

Description

Teach courses in the agricultural sciences. Includes teachers of agronomy, dairy sciences, fisheries management, horticultural sciences, poultry sciences, range management, and agricultural soil conservation. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).