BSc Food Science and Nutrition

What is Food Science and Nutrition?

Food Science as the discipline in which biology, physical sciences, and engineering are used to study the nature of foods, the causes of their deterioration, and the principles underlying food processing; Nutrition is the science that interprets the nutrients and other substances in food in relation to maintenance, growth, reproduction, health, and disease of an organism.

Why Study Food Science and Nutrition?

Agriculture is the backbone of the Kenyan economy and the largest contributor to the national gross domestic product (GDP). However, we are still a food and nutrition insecure country. A significant proportion of the Kenyan population especially children, pregnant mothers, lactating mothers, and other vulnerable groups face challenges in accessing adequate, safe, and nutritious food at all times. Fighting hunger and malnutrition is one of the objects of Kenya’s Vision 2030. On the other hand, over nutrition demonstrated by increasing pockets of obesity amongst our population is an emerging problem. Food science helps to understand the physicochemical properties of our foods while nutrition science enables the application of the knowledge in helping the population to cost-effectively make the right food choices to address both malnutrition and over nutrition. Therefore, the program will generate graduates who can positively contribute to the health and wellness of our population.

 Career prospects

With the national and international concern for the effects of food and nutrition on health and wellness as well as disease, there are many career opportunities for the graduates of this program. They include food product manufacturers, where graduates work as front-line supervisors in processing, quality assurance, and new product development departments with eventual progression to managerial levels. International and local Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) that address nutrition concerns in emergencies eg. UNICEF, WHO, etc. also take up graduates from this program. Other opportunities include government agencies involved in food standards, food law enforcement, and nutrition promotion, such as the Kenya Bureau of Standards, State Department of Agriculture, County governments, and State Department of Health. Academic and research institutions and consultancy firms also provide various openings. There is also a huge potential for self-employment.

Why Food Science and Nutrition at Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST)?

MUST provides a serene learning environment in the agriculture rich area of Meru, modern learning facilities, and a dedicated faculty. The program consists of theory, laboratory and food processing workshop sessions, and industrial placement. Our overall aim is to produce a graduate who has hands-on, basic employability, and entrepreneurial skills.