Mount Mary University will launch a new master’s program in food science this fall.
Mount Mary spokeswoman Kathy Van Zeeland said more food manufacturing and processing companies need employees with advanced degrees. The program is designed for people already in the field who can do research for their employer without having to leave work. Getting the degree makes that employee much more valuable.
“One of the things that’s really neat about this program is you can do your research either at Mount Mary or at your work site, so this is designed for a working professional to be able to take classes in their off time and then do their research,” Van Zeeland said.
The 31-credit program will consist of three certificates: food processing chemistry, food safety and toxicology, and food science research. Graduate students must complete the three certificates within seven years to earn the master’s.
The school also offers an undergraduate major in food science. Undergraduate students already studying food science can apply for Mount Mary’s 3+2 program, which allows students to obtain both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in five years.
Anne Vavrick, an assistant professor in food science and the food science M.S. program director, said the program is needed because of the large presence of food manufacturers in Wisconsin. However, the number of food scientists in the area is lacking.
“Milwaukee is one of the largest food corridors in the food industry, and there is a tremendous need for food scientists in the development of food products for grocery store shelves,” Vavrick said.
Vavrick said graduate students in the program will research product shelf life, nutritional value and microbiological content. This will also benefit the companies involved, as the research will remain proprietary with the company, not Mount Mary.
Mount Mary’s food science program has grown significantly in recent years. In 2017, the university unveiled a new food science technology lab that was supported by many Wisconsin food manufacturers.
The release said the classes required in the program will be offered starting this fall semester, and anyone interested in the course can apply now on Mount Mary’s website. Master’s degree candidates are accepted on a rolling basis.
“Food scientists are responsible for making sure that not only is our food safe to eat, but that it’s also healthy … and remains healthy on the shelf prior to purchase,” Vavrick said.
Read or Share this story: https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/2019/06/24/mount-mary-launches-new-masters-program-food-science/1546515001/