Food Science & Technology
Feed the World! If you like food and you enjoy science, then a career as a food scientist may be for you. A career in food science and technology is diverse and challenging, one day you may be developing a new food product and the next you may be solving technical problems on a processing line.
What is Food Science & Technology?
Food scientists develop and improve ways to process raw ingredients, such as grains, meats, milk, fruit and vegetables to safe, tasty and nutritious foods. The study of food science and technology is multi-disciplinary, involving application of the basic sciences chemistry, nutrition, engineering, microbiology and the latest research developments in the handling, processing and packaging of foods from the farm to the consumer's plate.
What does a Food Scientist or Technologist do?
The food industry is the largest industry in the world and needs highly trained professionals in food science and technology to ensure the supply, quality and safety of food for everybody on the planet. Food scientists apply chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, and engineering to research, develop, process, evaluate, package and market food.
Food scientists determine the quality and properties of foods including the nutritive value, flavour, palatability, colour, texture and storage life of foods using sensory testing, biochemistry and microbiology techniques. Food technologists apply their knowledge of food science to operate, design and manage the facilities and equipment involved in the processing and storage of foods.
Food scientists and technologists are also involved in the research and development of new food products and new technologies in the processing of foods.
Stuart Johnson speaks about Food Science
General Information
Reasons to do this course
- This is the only food science and technology degree program in WA.
- Our graduates are recognised by the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology.
- You will graduate with a range of diverse career options.
- This course is well recognised, with a strong national and international reputation.
- The School maintains strong links with the food industry.
Study Options Upon Graduation
Upon completion of a course of study in Food Science and Technology there are a number of study options that students can undertake. Students pursuing studies by higher degree may apply for scholarships. Information about Australian and International student scholarships, and closing dates, can be found on the Curtin Scholarship website .
Courses offered
Undergraduate Courses
Postgraduate Courses
Masters by Coursework
Higher Degree by Research - Master & Doctoral Programs
Career Opportunities
There is a high and growing demand for graduates of Food Science and Technology in a range of professional areas including food quality assurance, research and development of new products and new processing technologies, microbiology, technical consulting, and sales and marketing. Students graduate with a Bachelor of Science so they can be employed in many areas of science and food science. Potential employers include: food suppliers and manufacturers, beverage manufacturers, supermarket chains, hospitals, airlines, wine companies, teaching institutions, Commonwealth and State research laboratories.
Graduates work as food chemists, research specialists, product developers, food microbiologists, quality control technologists process engineers, marketing specialists, teachers. They may be found in agricultural research, hospitals and health agencies, analytical laboratories, food suppliers and manufacturers of staple or pre-prepared foods, marketing and sales, supermarket chains, airlines and wine companies. Employment prospects are high, both in Australia and overseas.
- More detail about careers available upon completion of a Food Science and Technology degree can be found here .
- To find out what types of career pathways and exciting employment our graduates have had please view our graduate stories .
Information & Resources
- Staff and Lecturers for Food Science & Technology : Click here to view information on the staff working in this area.
- Course Coordinators (undergrad)
- Course Coordinators (postgrad)
- Curtin Online Handbook
(Program& Course Information) - Online Unit Outlines
- Fees
- Student Resources :
Curtin University and the School of Public Health have many resources available to students.
My degree in Food Science at Curtin provided me with a great understanding of the entire food manufacturing process and the end product, this has been very valuable in my management career in operations and has provided me with the skill set to communicate across the diverse disciplines of Quality, R&D, Sales, Engineering and Production... 
