Undergraduate Admissions

Food Science

← Programs / Science / Food Science

Details

Degree

Science

Work Experience

Co-op

Cut off Range:

78-82%

Program Summary

Improving the sustainability, quality and safety of food systems is essential to fight climate change and feed a growing population. Food scientists develop products with added nutritional value; they investigate food-borne illness and fraud, design environmentally friendly and smart packaging, and provide expert advice when unsafe foods end up in consumers’ hands. Built on a strong natural sciences foundation and important transferrable skills, Food Science prepares students for the challenges of their generation.

We explore food science as it relates to:

– The global food crisis: Approximately 768 million people are food insecure globally and 10 per cent of people fall ill from food contamination every year. Food Science at Carleton enhances food quality and safety to address food insecurity.

– Climate change: Thirty-three per cent of greenhouse gas emissions originate from food systems yet half of all food produced is wasted. Food Science at Carleton researches sustainable food practices, including ways to reduce food loss and food waste and make use of food by-products.

Admission Requirements

Education Background

Province

Curriculum

Get started in Carleton360 to receive tailored information on our programs, student services and community.

The Carleton Advantage

Food Science at Carleton is a unique and broad-based interdisciplinary program. Within the context of regulations, our program teaches students to investigate and analyze nutrients, natural toxins, chemical residues, microorganisms, and even the authenticity of food. Understanding the composition of food and its impact on human and environmental health is greatly needed for a sustainable future. Graduates of our program are equipped to tackle global challenges in the natural and life sciences.

Students take both interactive lectures and lab courses, with additional experiential learning opportunities including co-op, research internships on and off campus, and a capstone project.

Our connections with government departments and agencies such as Health Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada provide students with an advantage when entering the workforce.

Over the past two years, 89 per cent of Food Science graduates secured employment or graduate studies in their field within six months of graduation!

What students are saying

The knowledge and skills I gained through the Food Science program at Carleton are invaluable to my current position. I work in food risk analysis and management, and use knowledge from food microbiology, food chemistry, toxicology, quality control, food regulations, and risk assessment every day. Basically, I apply analytical and investigative skills to identify gaps in Canada’s food safety program and make recommendations. By analyzing and interpreting data on food recalls, foodborne illness outbreaks, and inspection results, my team and I assess whether CFIA’s current control measures are effective. Food safety education is crucial in making society a safer, healthier place.

Andrea Palmieri, Policy and Program Specialist, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and Carleton Food Science graduate.

Career Opportunities

Watch: Food Science

More Ways to

Stay Connected with Carleton

Sign up for Carleton 360

Get started in Carleton360 to receive tailored information on our programs, student services and community.

Get Details

Take a virtual campus tour

Explore Carleton's beautiful riverside campus inside our virtual tour. More scenes coming soon!