Department of Food Science
What is Food Science?
Food Science focuses on transforming raw agricultural produce into food products that are safe, nutritious, and appealing for human consumption. A Food Scientist is equipped with the knowledge and technical skills needed to convert these raw materials into the wide variety of safe, sustainable and attractive foods and beverages found on our supermarket shelves. They continuously work to improve the methods used in developing, processing, packaging, storing, and transporting food products.
Food Science is an exciting and dynamic field that integrates disciplines such as Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Microbiology to enhance the quality, taste, and nutritional value of the global food supply. Students in this field also gain expertise in food preservation and processing, food analysis, product development, food packaging, and the implementation of food quality and safety systems.
General Enquires
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"Our research has led to sustainable packaging solutions that extend shelf life and reduce waste, while local food producers have adopted our advanced microbial safety protocols."
About Us
The Department of Food Science is renowned for its excellence in teaching and research. Food Science is a multidisciplinary field that applies natural sciences such as chemistry, biochemistry, and microbiology to develop processes that ensure food quality and food security. Food scientists use cutting-edge technologies to develop new food products and continually seek to improve existing techniques by which products are developed, processed, packaged, stored, and transported effectively.
Our Academic Programmes
- Bachelor’s programme in Food Production Systems
- BSc Food Science
- MSc Food Science
- MSc in Food and Nutrition Security MSc (Food and Nutrition Security)
- PhD programme in Food Production Systems PhD
Our Vision & Mission
- To be the most sought-after Food Science department in South Africa
- To be a nationally and internationally competitive centre of excellence in Food Science
- To foster a culture of scientific research, critical thinking and scientific debate;
- Producing well-trained graduates who can successfully be employed within the food industry and are sought after for their knowledge, creativity and critical thinking, and;
- To nurture education and research that is relevant to the needs of the food industry, the consumer and the environment
Our History
In 1928 the need was identified for trained people to lead the fruit processing industry in the Cape. To this purpose Dr Izak Burger went on a world tour which included the fruit growing areas of California and Australia. In his report he recommended that an educational institution be established to train people to manage the processing of fruit for the export and local market. For various reasons in the early 1930's the report was shelved. Later efforts were thwarted by the outbreak of the war in 1939. It was only in 1946 that the idea was revived. Read more
Undergraduate programmes
Our four-year BSc in Food Science provides you with the skills to understand and enhance food production, safety and packaging. In your final year, you’ll explore biology, chemistry and food biochemistry, advancing to more complex topics like product development and factory machinery.
Postgraduate Programmes
Postgraduate programmes in Food Science, continue after completion of the 4 year bachelor’s degree. Our areas of focus include Food Production Systems and Nutrition Security.
Exposure to the food industry?
You can choose a career in one of the largest and indispensable industries in the world.
Food Scientists can be employed to do quality assurance, product development, research, technical support, sales, purchasing and production management. The food industry also presents lots of scope for entrepreneurs or you may choose to pursue post-graduate studies and pursue a career in Academia.
Food Science students gain close contact with the SA food industry through internships and regular visits by guest speakers. These opportunities provide students with the real-world exposure to industry professionals, which help develop the necessary skills needed for successful careers in the food industry.
Experiencing the cutting edge of research at Food Science, SU
The Department of Food Science has a strong research culture based on the application of fundamental scientific principles and focusing on expanding our understanding of food as biomaterials. The research initiatives cover a range of topics including the chemical, nutritional, processing, sensory, microbiological and safety aspects. This is an exciting field of study that applies the basic sciences to improve the flavour, appearance, shelf-life, quality, safety and nutritional benefits of our food supply.
The Department prides itself in fostering strong student-staff interactions and thereby creating a stimulating research environment. We attract significant research funding annually – a sign of both the high quality research we undertake and the relevance of our degrees for the needs of today's global food industry.
At the Department of Food Science, we integrate expertise in chemistry, biochemistry and microbiology to drive measurable improvements in food quality and security. Our research has led to sustainable packaging solutions that extend shelf life and reduce waste, while local food producers have adopted our advanced microbial safety protocols to set new benchmarks in quality control. We’ve also developed innovative cold chain management systems and refined storage techniques that preserve nutritional value from farm to table.
Our department has a proven track record in translating scientific discovery into practical applications. By working closely with industry partners and regulatory bodies, we have influenced food safety standards and improved processing methods. Our hands-on training programmes equip students with the skills needed to succeed in the food industry, ensuring that every graduate is prepared to address consumer demands and environmental challenges through real-world, research-driven solutions.