Master of Science in Food Technology

Introduction

Students aspiring a career in food-related sector can pursue the degree of Master of Science in Food Technology also known as M.Sc in Food Technology. It is a 2-year long postgraduation course in the field of food technology. It is one of the most recommended course as it provides an advance level study of the application of preservation, selection, processing, distribution, packaging and use of nutritious and safe food. The course consists of 4 semesters which covers topics like Food Microbiology, Dairy Technology, Food Additives, Nutrition and Health, Research Projects and suitable subjects.

The average fee charged by institutes in India for offering this course ranges between ₹10,000 - ₹3,00,000. After pursuing this degree, graduates can be employed in food-related organisations, cafeteria or a relevant organisation. The positions available in such companies are Food Technologist, Production Manager, Quality Control Manager, Dietician or a relevant job profile at an average annual salary ranging between ₹5,00,000 - ₹10,00,000 depending upon the job profile and skills they possess.

Eligibility

Applicants willing to pursue the course of M.Sc in Food Technology have to prove their eligibility by fulfilling certain requirements criteria. Some institutes set their own requirements criteria although most institutes follow the standard requirements criteria. Given below are the requirements criteria accepted by most institutes. 

• Applicants must have completed their graduation with either one of Chemistry, Biochemistry, Botany, Zoology, Home Science, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Food Science and Nutrition or a relevant subject as the majors at graduation level from a recognised institute. Some institutes prefer students with a degree of B.Sc in Food Technology. 
• Applicants have to secure a minimum score of 50% at the graduation level. Some institutes provide a relaxation of 5% to SC/ST/OBC applicants which means they should secure 45%. 

Entrance Examination

Some institutes prefer considering the performance of applicants in entrance examinations. They either conduct it themselves or ask the students to give other entrance examinations. Some of the most famous entrance examinations required for getting admission in an institute to pursue this course are as follows. 

• All India Joint Entrance Exam
• Allahabad University Entrance exam
• Andhra University Entrance Exam
• Central Food Technology Research Institute (CFTRI)
• Indian Institute of Crop Processing Technology (IICPT) Entrance Exam
• Indian Institute of Technology Entrance Exam 
• Joint Entrance Exam (JEE)
• The Indian Institute of Science (IIS) Entrance Exam
• University of Calcutta Entrance Exam
• University of Madras Entrance Exam 

Syllabus

M.Sc in Food Technology is a 2-year long course whose examinations are held in the semester-based systems. This means the course consists of 4 semesters. The program is made to impart the advance level of education related to technological development in the field of food and its management. Some of the subjects covered in this curriculum are Food Chemistry, Dairy Technology, Nutrition and Health, Packaging Technology and some relevant topics. The program also provides practical knowledge of Dairy Technology, Food Microbiology and a relevant topic. The program is showcased in the table below.

Institutes

Many institutes in India offer the course of M.Sc in Food Technology. They can be either private or government administered institutes. The primary differences between private and government institutes are the services provided and the fee charged for those services. Private institutes charge a high fee and provide excellent services. In contrast, government institutes charge very less fee and provide services accordingly. The average fee charged by various institutes in India ranges between ₹10,000 - ₹3,00,000. Some of the famous institutes in India offering this course are displayed in the table below along with few details.

Future Prospects

M.Sc in Food Technology provides a lot of job opportunities for graduates. They get prepared for various food-related purposes. After pursuing this course, they can be employed in Food oriented organisation, hospital facilities or a relevant area at posts like Food Technologist, Production Manager, Quality Control Manager, Dietician or a related job profile. They can expect an average annual salary ranging between ₹5,00,000 - ₹10,00,000 depending upon the job profile and skills they possess.