Applied Food Science Bachelor’s Degree
Degree: BS
Locations: North Carolina
Length: 4 years
Credits: 123.5
Use Science to Improve Food Products
Imagine turning salmon scraps into an innovative new product or reverse-engineering an existing product in a food science lab.
JWU Charlotte’s Applied Food Science bachelor’s degree combines the strength of culinary arts and food science to prepare students for careers in food product research and development (R&D), quality assurance and food technology.
Learn in North Carolina’s Food Innovation Hub
JWU Charlotte’s program is situated in North Carolina’s growing food innovation hub, the fourth largest in the U.S. Our students have put their ideas into practice at the N.C. Food Innovation Lab (NCFIL), McClancy Foods & Flavors, Acme Smoked Fish, and more.
Individual states may require specific licensing or professional certification in addition to earning a degree in order to practice in the field. Learn more via the Catalog’s Licensure & Professional Certification Disclosures. Admission is contingent upon meeting the technical standards for this program.
All students interested in entering the Applied Food Science degree program must complete and submit an application to the program lead faculty member, Professor Robert Lothrop.
Applications will be accepted from Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts A.S./A.O.S./A.A.S. degree holders and students transferring from other culinary, baking or food science programs that meet JWU’s academic requirements. All applicants are required to submit the following items:
- Application
- Resume
- 3 recommendation forms
• 2 from chef, nutrition or food science instructors
• 1 from academic instructor - Change of Status form: Only needs to be filled out by currently enrolled JWU students.
- Interview: Telephone interview to be scheduled by program director.
- Student Degree Progress: Indicating a 3.0 GPA or Higher in current program. Currently enrolled students can obtain their audit from the Grad Planning System (GPS) through jwuLink. Students applying from outside of JWU will need an official transcript.
Questions about your application? Contact:
Robert Lothrop, PhD, professor, 980-598-1535
Sunil Atreya, associate professor and college chair, 980-598-1524
Note: Students are encouraged to refer to the graduation requirements of the Applied Food Science program by reviewing the catalog description or by contacting SAS (or the Admissions department if you are transferring from another institution). This will prevent any unforeseen complications or delays when applying to this program.
Plant-Based Futures
Chris Patillo ’21 and Emilize Momplaisir ’21 landed internships at the North Carolina Food Innovation Lab (NCFIL), a Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) facility accelerating plant-based food research. Read about their projects:.
Why JWU Charlotte’s Applied Food Science Program Is Unique
Start by completing a two-year degree in either culinary arts or baking & pastry arts before applying to the two-year food science program.
Through Applied Food Science coursework, build your understanding of every step involved in creating new food products, from concept to product optimization. You’ll learn in classrooms and labs focusing on the core competencies prescribed by the Institute of Food Technologists: food chemistry and analysis, food safety and microbiology, food processing and engineering, and applied food science.
As you advance, you will learn to:
- Apply food chemistry and scientific principles to the development of food products.
- Apply principles of food technology and processing in food systems.
- Apply food safety and microbiological knowledge to identify and solve problems related to food and food products.
Faculty Contact
Charlotte
Robert Lothrop, PhD
980-598-1535
Email