SCC Offers New Food Science Course as Demand Surges

One of the most sought-after and highest-paying fields currently is food science, which uses chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, and engineering to solve local and global food issues. In light of this, Sacramento City College is excited to offer a new Food Science course that will get students started on this exciting career path.

Currently, the median salary for food science professionals is $110,00 annually – up from $95,000 in 2019, according to the 2022 IFT Employment and Salary Survey. Job opportunities in the field span a wide range, including research and development, process engineering, and regulatory affairs. This is a field that has a continuing and growing need for skilled labor.

The new course, NUTRI 335 Food Science, will be taught online and will include optional in-person tours of the Food Science facilities at UC Davis including the Robert Mondavi Food and Wine Institute. NUTRI 335 is part of a Food Science degree which is now being developed at SCC. The introductory course is equivalent to FST 1 at UC Davis. A student who completes the course, along with the science and math requirements for a Food Science major will be ready to transfer to UCD as a Junior where they can then choose a specialization, such as beer brewing.

The Food Science Associate’s Degree is expected to be available soon. No other community college in the North Sacramento region offers a Food Science program.

Possible careers in Food Science include:

• Food Product or Ingredient Development Scientist

• Sensory Scientist

• Food or Product Taster

• Food Microbiologist or Food Safety Expert

• Food Chemist

• Food Process and Packaging Design Engineer

• Quality Control Supervisor

• Food Plant Production Supervisor or Manager

• Ingredient, Product, or Equipment Sales Representative/Manager

All of these occupations can utilize an associate's degree to either set students up for transfer or to go directly into a Food Science field.  

Pursue a Food Science Associate’s Degree 

If you want to pursue an associate’s degree in Food Science, SCC’s program provides an overview of the chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, and engineering used within the field of food science. Applying this knowledge will better equip students to work within the adapting Food Science community.  If your goal is to transfer, several local universities including the University of California Davis and Cal Poly offer Food Science programs. Make sure to connect with the SCC Transfer Center or your counselor to set up your education plan for transfer. 

How do I get started?

1. Apply to Sacramento City College
2. Join us in an introductory Food Science class (many of our introductory classes can count toward your GE requirements - talk to a counselor for guidance)
3. Let us know you are interested in learning more about the program!