Graduate Field
Food Science and Technology
Program Description
The Master of Food Science (MFS) is a one-year, STEM-designated, course-based master's degree program ideal for career-focused students aiming to enhance their skills. This professional master's degree is ideal for people already established in their careers.
A hallmark of the MFS program is the balanced portfolio of technical knowledge, analytical skills, and professional development built into the curriculum, designed to equip students with the skill set and knowledge necessary for careers in industry, government, or non-profit agencies.
The Field of Food Science and Technology offers eight focus areas for MFS degree candidates. Each focus area cultivates the skillset and develops the theoretical problem-solving capacity required for careers in these fields within food science:
- Dairy processing
- Enology
- Food chemistry
- Food engineering
- Food microbiology/food safety
- Food science
- Sensory evaluation
- Food toxicology
Program Information
- Instruction Mode: In Person
- Location: Ithaca, NY
- Minimum Credits for Degree: 30
Program Requirements
Coursework
- 30 credits in graduate-level courses at least 20 of which must be taken in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
- Capstone project: 2 to 6 credits of the required 30 credits.
- Enrollment in a minimum of 12 credits each semester. It is advised that students enroll in 15 credits each semester to stay on track for this one-year program.
- FDSC 6000 Seminar in Food Science (required every semester the student is enrolled)
- FDSC 6010 Food Science and Technology Graduate Boot Camp
- FDSC 6950 Current Readings in Food Science
- Additional requirements:
- A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5
- A minimum of 18 letter-graded credits
Field-specific requirements
- Check with the field director for details.
University Graduation Requirements
Requirements for All Students
In order to receive a Cornell degree, a student must satisfy academic and non-academic requirements.
Academic Requirements
A student’s college determines degree requirements such as residency, number of credits, distribution of credits, and grade averages. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of the specific major, degree, distribution, college, and graduation requirements for completing their chosen program of study. See the individual requirements listed by each college or school or contact the college registrar’s office for more information.
Non-academic Requirements
Conduct Matters. Students must satisfy any outstanding sanctions, penalties or remedies imposed or agreed to under the Student Code of Conduct (Code) or Policy 6.4. Where a formal complaint under the Code or Policy 6.4 is pending, the University will withhold awarding a degree otherwise earned until the adjudication process set forth in those procedures is complete, including the satisfaction of any sanctions, penalties or remedies imposed.
Financial Obligations. Outstanding financial obligations will not impact the awarding of a degree otherwise earned or a student’s ability to access their official transcript. However, the University may withhold issuing a diploma until any outstanding financial obligations owing to the University are satisfied.
