Food Science, BS

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Food Science

The Food Science major exposes students to all components of food production: harvesting and raw-product handling, food-processing procedures and techniques, packaging, and food storage. Students selecting this major are prepared for careers in many areas of the food industry.

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Food Science

Graduation Requirements
Minimum hours required for graduation: 126 hours.

University Requirements
Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300 and 400 level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree. Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.

The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.

General Education Requirements
Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.

Composition I4-6
Advanced Composition3
Humanities & the Arts (6 hours)6
Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours)6
fulfilled by CHEM 102, CHEM 104, MCB 100, PHYS 101, IB 100 or IB 105, and FSHN 101
Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours)6
fulfilled by LEAD 260 and one more course approved as Social & Behavioral Sciences
Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course)3
fulfilled by CPSC 116
Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course)3
Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) 3
Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I)6-8
fulfilled by MATH 220 or MATH 221, PHYS 101, and ACE 262, CPSC 241, ECON 202, PSYC 235, or STAT 100
Language Requirement (Completion of the third semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required)0-15
Department Foundation
FSHN 123FSHN Orientation to Illinois1
Communication Option:3 or 6
CMN 101
Public Speaking
ALEC 115
Let’s Talk about Food, Agriculture, and the Environment
CMN 111
& CMN 112
Oral & Written Comm I
and Oral & Written Comm II
CPSC 116The Global Food Production Web3
MATH 220Calculus4-5
or MATH 221 Calculus I
Statistics Option - Select one of the following:3
ACE 262
Applied Statistical Methods and Data Analytics I
CPSC 241
Intro to Applied Statistics
ECON 202
Economic Statistics I
PSYC 235
Intro to Statistics
STAT 100
Statistics
CHEM 102
& CHEM 103		General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry Lab I		4
CHEM 104
& CHEM 105		General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry Lab II		4
MCB 100Introductory Microbiology3
LEAD 260Foundations of Leadership3
CHEM 232Elementary Organic Chemistry I3 or 4
PHYS 101College Physics: Mech & Heat5
IB 100Biology in Today's World3
or IB 105 Environmental Biology
Major Core53-54
FSHN 101The Science of Food and How it Relates to You3
FSHN 120Contemporary Nutrition3-4
or FSHN 220 Principles of Nutrition
FSHN 201Math for Food Science3
FSHN 230Food Sci Professional Issues1
FSHN 232Science of Food Preparation3
FSHN 260Raw Materials for Processing2
FSHN 302Sensory Evaluation of Foods3
FSHN 414Food Chemistry3
FSHN 416Food Chemistry Laboratory3
FSHN 418Food Analysis4
FSHN 419Food Ingredient Technology3
FSHN 460Food Processing Engineering3
FSHN 466Food Product Development4
FSHN 471Food & Industrial Microbiology3
FSHN 472Applied Food Microbiology3
FSHN 481Food Processing Unit Operations I2
FSHN 482Food Processing Unit Operations I Lab1
FSHN 483Food Processing Unit Operations II2
FSHN 484Food Processing Unit Operations II Lab1
ANSC 350Principles of Biochemistry in Animals3
or MCB 450 Introductory Biochemistry
Major Electives9
Select 9 hours from the Food Science-related course list below.
FSHN 175Science of Fermented Foods3
FSHN 231Food Systems: Cacao & Chocolate2
FSHN 249Food Service Sanitation1
FSHN 293Off Campus Internship (up to 3 credit hours will count toward degree)0 to 4
FSHN 295UG Research or Thesis (up to 3 credit hours will count toward degree)1 to 4
FSHN 345Strategic Operations Management3
FSHN 417Neuroscience of Eating & Drinking3
FSHN 425Corporate Food Marketing3
FSHN 453Nutrition for Performance3 or 4
FSHN 464Beverage Science & Technology2
FSHN 469Package Engineering3
FSHN 480Basic Toxicology3
ACE 161Computer Concepts & Applications3
ACE 306Food Law3
CHEM 233Elementary Organic Chem Lab I2
Total Hours126

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Food Science

Sample Sequence

This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence. In the below sequence,  CMN 111 &  CMN 112 (6 hrs total) is being used to fulfill the Composition I and Communication option. Another option would be to complete RHET 105 (4 hrs) and CMN 101 (3 hrs). 

Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. For more information, see the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.

First Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
IB 100 or 1053FSHN 120 or 2203
MATH 220 or 2214Communication Option or Composition I3
Composition I or Communication Option3CHEM 102
& CHEM 103		4
FSHN 1013FSHN 2323
FSHN 1231CPSC 1163
 14 16
Total Hours 30
Second Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
CHEM 104
& CHEM 105		4CHEM 2323
MCB 1003Statistics Option3
PHYS 1015FSHN 2013
FSHN 2301FSHN 2602
LEAD 2603General Education course3
 General Education course3
 16 17
Total Hours 33
Third Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
ANSC 350 or MCB 4503FSHN 4184
FSHN 3023FSHN 4713
FSHN 4143FSHN 4723
FSHN 4163FSHN 481
& FSHN 482		3
FSHN 4603Language Other than English (3rd level)4
 15 17
Total Hours 32
Fourth Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
General Education course3FSHN 4664
FSHN 4193General Education course3
FSHN 4832Major Elective course3
FSHN 4841Major Elective course3
General Education course3Major Elective course3
General Education course3 
 15 16
Total Hours 31

Total Hours: 126

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Food Science

All graduates of the Illinois Food Science Major will achieve the following:

Graduates are A) competent in core food science areas and B) can integrate and apply their knowledge to solve real-world problems and make decisions. Core Food Science Areas include Food Chemistry and Analysis, Food Safety and Microbiology, Food Processing and Engineering, and Sensory Science. Associated Areas include Nutrition and Health, Quality Assurance, and Food Laws and Regulations.

  • Graduates possess strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
  • Graduates are proficient communicators.
  • Graduates possess impactful professional and leadership skills.
  • Graduates possess aspirational goals.

Graduates of our Food Science program:

  1. value diversity
  2. are confident in their abilities
  3. volunteer their services to their professional and societal communities, and
  4. take professional and ethical responsibility for their actions.

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Food Science

Food Science and Human Nutrition

Food Science and Human Nutrition Website
260 Bevier Hall
905 S. Goodwin Ave.
Urbana, IL 61801
217-244-4498
fshn-general@illinois.edu

College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences

College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences Website

ACES Office of Academic Programs

128 Mumford Hall
1301 West Gregory Drive
Urbana, IL 61801
217-333-3380
aces-academics@illinois.edu

Advising

Advising Website
217-244-4498
fshn-general@illinois.edu

Admissions

ACES Undergraduate Admissions
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Undergrad Admissions
217-333-3380
visitACES@illinois.edu