Becoming A Food Scientist

Becoming a Food Scientist is designed as a reservoir of ideas for those beginning a graduate education in food science or beginning a professional career in the field. Although at times it may read as a how-to manual for success in graduate school, it is meant to encourage each reader to study the research process, to challenge conventional wisdom, and to develop a career path that maximizes the probability of success both in school and beyond. The author has viewed food science graduate programs through the lenses of programs at four universities and service in numerous activities with the Institute of Food Technologists. This book is thus focused on the field of food science, but it may have relevance to other scientific disciplines. The book introduces the concept of research as process in the first chapter. Subsequent chapters focus on individual unit operations of research: idea generation, problem definition, critical evaluation of the literature, method selection, experimental design, data collection, processing and analysis, and knowledge dissemination. Successful graduate students in food science must master each of these operations. The final section of the book pushes the reader beyond graduate school into its practice in the real world. Topics covered in the maturation of a food scientist include the scientific meeting, critical thinking, science and philosophy, ethics, finding and managing the literature, planning, grantsmanship, laboratory setup and management, and career development. This book should be a meaningful companion for any graduate student in the field and those transitioning from graduate school to the food science profession.

Careers in Food Science provides detailed guidelines for students and new employees in the food industry to ensure a successful start to their career. Every step towards a rewarding career in this rapidly evolving industry is covered, from which classes to take in college and which degrees to earn, to internships, and finally how to land, and keep, the first job. This book also provides day-to-day examples of what to expect from the many jobs available to help students decide what to do and where to go. This second edition includes nine new chapters covering research chefs, food systems, social justice, food waste, start-ups, sustainability, and management. Several new authors offer fresh perspectives.

It has become popular to blame the American obesity epidemic and many other health-related problems on processed food. Many of these criticisms are valid for some processed-food items, but many statements are overgeneralizations that unfairly target a wide range products that contribute to our health and well-being. In addition, many of the proposed dangers allegedly posed by eating processed food are exaggerations based on highly selective views of experimental studies. We crave simple answers to our questions about food, but the science behind the proclamations of food pundits is not nearly as clear as they would have you believe. This book presents a more nuanced view of the benefits and limitations of food processing and exposes some of the tricks both Big Food and its critics use to manipulate us to adopt their point of view. Food is a source of enjoyment, a part of our cultural heritage, a vital ingredient in maintaining health, and an expression of personal choice. We need to make those choices based on credible information and not be beguiled by the sophisticated marketing tools of Big Food nor the ideological appeals and gut feelings of self-appointed food gurus who have little or no background in nutrition.

Careers in Food Science provides detailed guidelines for students and new employees in the food industry to ensure a successful start to their career. Every step towards a rewarding career in this rapidly evolving industry is covered, from which classes to take in college and which degrees to earn, to internships, and finally how to land, and keep, the first job. This book also provides day-to-day examples of what to expect from the many jobs available to help students decide what to do and where to go. The food industry includes a wide array of fields and careers not only in food production and in academia, but also in government and research institutions. In fact, it is estimated that by 2010 there will be 52,000 annual job openings for college graduates in the Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources system in the U.S. alone. Written by people who have experience or are currently working in each sector, this book seeks to shed some light on starting, or furthering, a career in this exciting field.

Examines the biochemistry behind cooking and food preparation, rejecting such common notions as that searing meat seals in juices and that cutting lettuce causes it to brown faster

The practical approached championed in this book have led to increasing the quality on many successful products through providing a better understanding of consumer needs, current product and process performance and a desired future state. In 2009, Frank Rossi and Viktor Mirtchev brought their practical statistical thinking forward and created the course “Statistics for Food Scientists . The intent of the course was to help product and process developers increase the probability of their project’s success through the incorporation of practical statistical thinking in their challenges. The course has since grown and has become the basis of this book. Presents detailed descriptions of statistical concepts and commonly used statistical tools to better analyze data and interpret results Demonstrates thorough examples and specific practical problems of what food scientists face in their work and how the tools of statistics can help them to make more informed decisions Provides information to show how statistical tools are applied to improve research results, enhance product quality, and promote overall product development

Describes the requirements, education, and duties associated with becoming a food scientist. Includes profiles of prominent pioneers in food science.

Careers in Food Science provides detailed guidelines for students and new employees in the food industry to ensure a successful start to their career. Every step towards a rewarding career in this rapidly evolving industry is covered, from which classes to take in college and which degrees to earn, to internships, and finally how to land, and keep, the first job. This book also provides day-to-day examples of what to expect from the many jobs available to help students decide what to do and where to go. The food industry includes a wide array of fields and careers not only in food production and in academia, but also in government and research institutions. In fact, it is estimated that by 2010 there will be 52,000 annual job openings for college graduates in the Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources system in the U.S. alone. Written by people who have experience or are currently working in each sector, this book seeks to shed some light on starting, or furthering, a career in this exciting field.