Note: Effective immediately for new applicants, MBS concentrations Global Food Technology & Innovation and Food Science are now merged into one concentration: Applied Food Science & Technology (see below). If you have any questions, please reach out to your advisor.
Overview
The primary objective of the Applied Food Science and Technology concentration within the MBS program is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of both the theoretical and practical aspects of advancements in the global food industry. This education aims to equip students with the requisite knowledge, skills, and tools to effectively comprehend and oversee ongoing technical developments and commercial applications in this industry.
In addition to gaining proficiency in the fundamental principles and practical applications of food science and technology, students will also acquire a thorough understanding of critical business areas, encompassing finance, accounting, entrepreneurship, marketing, communication, leadership, management, planning, intellectual property, ethics, and regulatory aspects.
Within this concentration, students have the flexibility to choose between two modes of instruction: an in-person/hybrid option or a fully online option. The hybrid option includes access to laboratory facilities for hands-on experience in areas such as food chemistry, food engineering, and food biology, as well as the opportunity to attend in-person elective courses. These elective courses cover a wide spectrum of topics in food science and technology, including quality management, safety procedures, plant operations, and sensory science.
Skills Gained
Through expert instruction and experiential education, students will:
- Gain comprehensive knowledge of food science and technology, as well as food safety and management
- Gain broad-based knowledge of key business skills relevant to the global food industry
- Gain in-depth understanding of end-to-end commercialization and innovation processes, as well as the guiding principles and best practices for product commercialization
- Learn to successfully integrate their scientific background and business knowledge to create and convert new ideas into commercially viable applications
- Learn to leverage their integrated science and business knowledge for complex problem-solving.
Applied Food Science & Technology Careers
There are numerous job opportunities and career paths available to individuals with advanced knowledge of Applied Food Science and Technology
| Titles | Companies |
|---|---|
| Innovation and Quality Manager | Bakerly |
| Associate Principal Scientist | PepsiCo |
| Plant Variety Examiner | The J.M. Smucker Company |
| Senior Quality Analyst | Blue Buffalo Co |
| and more! | and more! |
Preferred Academic or Professional Experience
Academic
- Applicants must possess an undergraduate degree from an accredited university in food science or related fields such as biological sciences, chemistry, or engineering.
- Prerequisite coursework includes the following: Calculus I, Organic Chemistry, and Statistics. Courses/background in chemistry, biology, and engineering are highly recommended.
Professional
- Practical experience in the food industry, pharmaceutical industry, or biotech industry is preferred.
Applicants who are unsure of their eligibility for this concentration should schedule an appointment with an enrollment specialist.
"The MBS program at Rutgers University helped me bring out my strengths and allowed me to work on my weaknesses, thus molding me into an improved version of myself. Learning in-depth about food science and being exposed to the business world has enhanced my knowledge and helped me add value to both worlds."
Tanya Mukund, May 2020