BSc Food Technology

BSc in Food Technology is a three-year full-time undergraduate programme that takes into account the examination of the processes and technologies involved in the production, preparation, and preservation of food that is entirely safe for people to eat. Through this programme, candidates are capable of understanding essential concepts like nutrition, dietary composition, and physical and microbiological depictions. The BSc in Food Technology syllabus and subjects include topics such as microbiological, nutritional, chemical, and biological research. It also helps students grasp different methods of food preparation and preservation. After obtaining at least 50% aggregate marks in a science-related 12th grade, prospective candidates are eligible to enrol in this programme.

Popular entry tests for this course include the CFTRI Aptitude Test, IIFPT, SET, and IMU CET. Students are chosen for admission to the BSc in Food Technology course either directly based on their 12th-grade test results or via university entrance tests, which are followed by a round of personal interviews, if any. Furthermore, depending on whether the institute is government or private, the average course fee varies from INR 50,000 to INR 2,00,000 per year. In India, Dr Punjabrao Vidyapeeth, ITM University, Adikavi Nannaya University, Hindustan University, Baba Farid College, and other prestigious universities are among the top choices for BSc in Food Technology students. Graduates of this programme may expect to make an average starting salary of INR 3.8 LPA in roles like purchasing manager, nutrition consultant, research scientist, quality manager, and more.

The major highlights of the BSc in Food Technology course are mentioned in the infographic below and explained further in the table.

There are numerous advantages to earning a BSc in Food Technology degree. Candidates who take this course will have an easier time grasping fundamental ideas including food composition, nutrition, and the physical, chemical, and microbiological characteristics of food. Additionally, it gives them a thorough understanding of the technical and scientific methods needed to comprehend the nature of unprocessed dietary ingredients. It is, after all, a chance to become fully informed about the food technology that controls our everyday existence. Here are a few examples for choosing a career as a Food Technologist or pursuing a BSc in Food Technology course as listed in the infographic below and explained further.

• Graduates in food technology can easily obtain entry-level jobs in production management companies, marketing or quality assurance departments, logistics divisions, R&D centres, colleges and universities, hotels and restaurants, and other similar settings.
• Candidates enrolled in BSc in Food Technology courses can pursue careers in government and commercial industry as organic chemists, food technologists, production managers, and other roles.
• An MSc in Food Technology is a great option for those who want to continue their study in the industry and can help them progress in their professions in both the public and private sectors, leading to promotions.

One of the easiest methods to learn without taking time away from other responsibilities is through the distance learning BSc in Food Technology course. It is a preferred degree programme that allows individuals to complete their education and keep working. The course curriculum is just as promising as that of a regular BSc programme in food technology. This course is offered by universities like SCDL, BRAOU, and IGNOU.

Applicants will gain knowledge in food microbiology, nutrition and dietetics, and the foundations of food chemistry through this programme. These graduates can find employment as nutritionists, food research scientists, and quality control officers, among many other positions. DEB has validated all of the institutions that are providing this course. There is no entrance exam required for admission, and the course fee ranges from INR 10,000 to 45,00,000 annually.

As part of a BSc in Food Technology degree, students learn methods and practices for transforming raw materials into finished/edible products. On the other hand, the study of agricultural science, which includes fields like plant pathology, agricultural microbiology, soil science, and genetics and plant breeding, is the focus of the BSc Agriculture course. The comparison between a BSc in Food Technology and a BSc in Agriculture is distinguished based on duration, fees, course content, and other factors in the table below:

BSc in Food Technology courses are in high demand in India. Students can select from a variety of courses based on their interests and preferences such as full-time and online/distance learning. However, a part-time course is not provided for this programme by almost any university. Discussed below are a few BSc Food Technology course types:

Full-Time BSc in Food Technology Courses 

In this type of course, students must attend full-time in-person classes, complete regular assignments, and take semester-wise offline exams on campus. They must also propose projects and perform practicals as part of the diverse course curriculum. With this, candidates gain practical experience in the subject as well as in-depth learning through actively engaging with their instructors and other fellow students.

Distance/Online Learning BSc in Food Technology Courses

Distance/online BSc Food Technology education is the most rewarding three-year UG degree programme. It takes six semesters to complete the programme. The fact that it is less expensive than ordinary courses is the most remarkable feature of this course. Second, it allows you to study in any area that is convenient for you. The third advantage is that it gives you more scheduling flexibility. Further, BSc in Food Technology distance/online course admissions are completely based on merit and do not require one to sit for an entrance exam. In India, institutions such as NIFTEM, IGNOU, and others provide this course through distance learning.

The candidates who wish to pursue a degree in this field must fulfil certain BSc Food Technology eligibility criteria. Though these criteria vary from one university to another, certain requirements are common with all. The eligibility criteria required for admission to BSc Food Technology are listed below:

• Candidates must have passed 12th grade or an equivalent degree from a recognised institute/board in India.
• Students must have opted for Mathematics, Chemistry/ Biology/ Biotechnology, and Physics as the major subjects in class 12th.
• The prospective applicant must have received a minimum aggregate of 50% marks (45% for the reserved candidates) in 12th grade. 
• Applicants who are appearing for the final exam or waiting for their final result from class 12 can also apply for admission.

The majority of institutions and colleges admit students to their BSc in Food Technology course either by a written entrance exam or by their class 10+2 aggregate marks. On the other hand, several universities also offer applicants direct admission based just on their performance on the most recent qualifying exam. The following is a list of different BSc Food Technology entrance exams which students may consider taking:

CUET UG: The NTA administers the Common University Entrance Test, or CUET UG, a national-level entrance exam for admission to UG courses provided by participating institutions. Depending on the volume of applicants registered for the entrance exam, it is administered in different phases using a computer.

SET Exam: Symbiosis International (Deemed University) administers the Symbiosis Entrance Test, or SET exam, to applicants for admission to Symbiosis institutes. Admission to undergraduate programmes in engineering, law, management, economics, computer studies, mass communication, and liberal arts is facilitated by this assessment.

NPAT Exam: Conducted by the Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS),the NPAT exam is administrated as a computer-based test from an exam centre. Sections such as Academic Proficiency, Reasoning and General Intelligence, English Language Proficiency, and Quantitative and Numerical Ability are typically covered in the exam.

CUCET Exam: The CUCET exam, an online entrance test, is conducted by Chandigarh University, that takes place twice a year in two phases — Phase I and Phase II. The university offers several undergraduate programmes, including the BSc in Food Technology course, for which candidates must pass this national test.

For the BSc Food Technology degree programme, each university has its unique admissions procedure that is either entrance-based or merit-based. Most institutions provide merit-based admission, which is an easy procedure. Students can find the admissions procedure for the BSc in Food Technology listed below:

• The majority of institutions and colleges that offer the BSc Food Technology programme admit students based on how well they perform in the entrance exam held by the admission authorities, which is followed by additional rounds of admission.
• However, some colleges and universities grant admission to this programme based on how well the applicant performed on their class 12 examination.
• Students must achieve high scores in both the entrance exam and the 12th-grade exam to be directly admitted to the BSc in Food Technology programme.
• Based on the results of the admission exam and class 12 grades, colleges and universities will produce a merit list.
• For document verification, those who have been selected will be contacted.
• Prospective students will be given admission to the programme upon the successful completion of the document verification process.

The BSc Food Technology course fee depends on different factors such as the type of the institute, the popularity/ ranking of the university, the merit/ scholarship achieved by the candidate, etc. For instance, the candidate retaining higher marks in the entrance exams will be provided with a higher scholarship, accounting for an overall lower course fee as compared to students willing to take direct admission. On the other hand, government-based institutes will have much lower fees as compared to private institutes. The table below highlights the list of a few BSc in Food Technology colleges along with their course fee structure.

The B Tech Food Technology subjects and syllabus teach and engage students about the science of food. The course allows students to learn about food production, processing, preservation, labelling, packaging, and more. Basic introductions to food technology and its principles, electives, core subjects, lab exercises, and projects make up the course's five major divisions. Given below are a few BSc Food Technology syllabi & subjects:

• Food Engineering
• Food Microbiology
• Food Quality and Sensory Evaluation
• Foundation of Food and Nutrition
• Fundamentals of Food Technology
• Principles of Food Science
• The Technology of Dairy and Seafood
• The Technology of Food Preservation
• The Technology of Meat, Eggs, and Poultry

Numerous excellent institutes in India provide high-quality BSc in Food Technology courses and study opportunities. Course fees and job placement probabilities are two key factors to consider while selecting a college for this degree.

Deemed to be Universities and other independent engineering institutes are among the private colleges. These universities are well-liked for offering food technology programmes because they have top-notch facilities and knowledgeable faculty. The following table highlights the top private BSc in Food Technology colleges in India:

Note: The BSc Food Technology fees mentioned in the table above are sourced from the official websites of the respective institutions, which may vary from one year to another.

In all, 274 of India's best private and government engineering schools provide courses in this field. Several IITs and other federal and state institutions that provide UG, PG, and PhD programmes are among the best government institutes for studying food technology. The following table highlights the top government BSc in Food Technology colleges in India:

Note: The BSc Food Technology fees mentioned in the table above are sourced from the official websites of the respective institutions, which may vary from one year to another.

BSc Food Technology course is not a new field, but it has advanced at a breakneck pace in the previous decade. To strengthen their product range, top corporations are in desperate need of skilled food technologists. Here are a few reasons why a job in food technology might be rewarding:

Healthy Lifestyles are Increasingly Popular: People are becoming increasingly concerned about their health and lifestyle. Companies must create items that are not just profitable but also beneficial to customers. Because of this, food technologists have a bright future working in this business.

High-Paying Jobs: Aspirants with a PhD in food technology who work in research and development earn a fantastic wage.

In addition, candidates with a BSc in Food Technology degree can pursue a variety of careers. Students with a BSc Food Technology degree can pursue careers as food technologists, organic chemists, technical brewers, production managers, and so on. This BSc Food Technology scope is rapidly expanding and will continue to do so in the future. Postgraduates with a BSc Food Technology course can work in a variety of settings, both in the private and public sectors.

BSc Food Technology salary varies depending on experience, study subjects, and other criteria. Graduates are sometimes portrayed as having a little difficulty getting work in educational institutions or other sectors. On average, a BSc in Food Technology salary ranges between INR 4 and INR 8 LPA. Years of experience, as well as the quality of one's job, can all contribute to increased earnings.

Further, the salary packages for various job profiles, as well as recruiters, differ. One can work for a range of companies in a variety of positions after earning a BSc in Food Technology course. Some of the job characteristics and BSc Food Technology salary earned are as follows:

Students interested in pursuing a career in the field of food technology should place problem-solving at the core of their technological competencies. Listed below are some skills that may make you the best BSc Food Technology graduate:

• Food science piques your interest
• Interest in diet and health
• Technical/practical/organisational/problem-solving abilities
• Skills in research and observation
• Taking a scientific approach
• Organise your time
• Consumer market awareness
• Mind that is analytical
• Possess the ability to work with a wide range of details

Students can work in the field of food technology as undergraduates or postgraduates. While a bachelor's degree is sufficient for employment as a food technologist, a master's degree provides candidates with the necessary competitive advantage. A master's or doctoral degree is also required for people who desire to pursue a research job.

BSc Food Technology Careers: Hospitals, restaurants, food processing companies, catering establishments, soft drink manufacturing companies, spice, cereal, and rice mills, quality control organisations, food research laboratories, and the packaging industry are all places where graduates or postgraduates in food technology can find work. Students with a postgraduate degree can work in biotechnology and bioinformatics firms, water conservation and research organisations, and the pharmaceutical business, among other locations.

You can pursue a variety of employment opportunities with a BSc in Food Technology. Some of the most common BSc Food Technology jobs and career opportunities are as follows:

Graduates who have a strong interest in food technology may advance their careers by pursuing an MSc or PhD in the subject. These programmes will not only help students obtain higher pay but also provide them with a wealth of practical expertise. Listed below are a few academic programmes students may consider pursuing after a BSc in Food Technology course.

PG Diploma in Food Technology Course: The PGD in Food Technology programme covers food quality management and research, food processing, food preservation, and other technology-related issues that contribute to improved food quality.

MPhil in Food Science and Technology Course: Postgraduate study leading to an MPhil in Food Science and Technology lasts two years. With an understanding of food processing and technology, students may not only stop food deterioration processes by creating newer technologies but also comprehend the mechanisms behind them.

MSc in Food Technology Course: With an MSc in Food Technology, candidates may analyse the genetic code of plants and crops and learn about other sources of the essential nutrients that the human body needs. This is an advanced course with applications in the food manufacturing, packaging, and agricultural industries.

PhD in Food Technology Course: A doctorate programme in food technology and allied subjects, focused on research, is referred to as PhD Food Technology. Vegetable and cereal technology, food quality control, dairy and poultry technology, food chemistry, and other areas of food technology are all covered.