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The food science faculty and programs from the University of Idaho (UI) Department of Food Science and Toxicology and the food science faculty and programs from the previous WSU Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition have merged to form the Bi-State School of Food Science.  

   The University of Idaho offers the sole Food Science degree program within the state, training professionals for careers within a key sector of the Idaho economy.

The formal creation of the bistate School of Food Science is unique in the nation and provides immediate national impact and recognition.  The formation of the School of Food Science promotes food science teaching, research, and extension programs into the top tier of universities with food science programs in the United States based on faculty numbers, undergraduate and graduate student enrollment, degrees granted, research productivity, and extension programming.  Food science graduates begin careers in food quality assurance, food safety microbiology, technical sales, production management, product extension or development, regulatory affairs, or research in the food/allied industries or federal/state regulatory agencies.  Educating Washington and Idaho students of food science is an excellent way to provide challenging and profitable opportunities to remain in the Pacific Northwest and enjoy a resourceful professional career.

Please continue to browse this website for more information on our teaching, research and outreach programs. Check out our careers site for more information on the exciting and numerous job opportunities for food scientists in the food industry, government agencies and academia. Click here to read about how The Schwan Food Co. will market a sherbet featuring a new flavor one of our food science majors developed.

We have a great group of students majoring in Food Science. The Food Science Club is very active. Students organize the North Idaho Chili Cook-Off during Ag Days in the fall to raise money for club activities. To learn more about careers in the food industry, our students travel to the Northwest Food Processors Meeting and Convention in Seattle or Portland, tour a variety of food plants around the Northwest, and attend the Intermountain Institute of Food Technologists' Annual Meeting in Sun Valley. Several food scientists come to campus each year to talk about their companies and career options in the food industry. Take a look at photos of recent FS activities.

There are 6 faculty and one extension specialist in the department working on a variety of exciting projects. Click here to read about a few of the interesting research projects our faculty and students are working on. Faculty are housed on-campus at the Agricultural Science Building, the Holm Research Center, and the Agricultural Biotechnology building. (Click here for a look at our facilities.) Our Food Processing Extension Specialist provides technical services and workshops to the food processing industry within Idaho and the Pacific Northwest. The Food Technology Center in Caldwell, Idaho provides business, technical and processing assistance to food entrepreneurs and food companies.

For more information about the department, please contact us at foodscience@uidaho.edu or call 208-885-0707.