M.Sc Food Science and Nutrition Course, Admission, Eligibility, Entrance Exam, Colleges, Jobs, Books, FAQs 2023

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M.Sc Food Science and Nutrition is a master's or postgraduate degree of 2 years, which focuses on the field of food production and food development. The course focuses on three specializations, namely Public Health Nutrition, Clinical Nutrition, Food Science, and Nutrition.

The 2-year program provides students with an in-depth knowledge of the subject of food science to provide them with an understanding of the science of food safety and nutrition.

MSc Food Science and Nutrition focus mainly on inculcating in the minds of students the necessary knowledge of food compositions, the quality, and safety of food, the ability of metabolism relationships, the use of nutrients in food by the human body, an advanced understanding of the influence of exercises, etc.

The course is a great choice for candidates who have great knowledge and are interested in the fields of food science and nutrition, a career that would promote people's health by living in healthy eating habits and managing different lifestyles. The program also includes various lessons in Biology, Chemistry, Nutrition, Chemical Engineering, etc. Students gain an in-depth knowledge of how food tastes, its health benefits, the processes common to all food-producing plants, the means of maintaining food quality, etc.

Admissions to the course are mostly through entrances on the basis of which candidates are invited to counseling sessions, including personal interviews and group discussions, after qualifying for the written exam. Some institutes offer admissions on the basis of the merits of the candidates for their qualifying graduation exam. MSc Food Science and Nutrition graduates can opt for MBA course or PhD course after completing this course to enhance their career growth.

Candidates must have qualified their graduation from a recognized institute with a minimum of 50 percent aggregate in either of the fields, including Food Science, Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Home Science, Nutrition, Dietetics, Clinical Biochemistry, Life Sciences, and more. Some of the popular entrances to the course are GATE, AIJEE, CFTRI, etc.

Checkout: Top colleges offering MSc Food Science and Nutrition courses in India.

The average course fee for M.Sc Food Science and Nutrition ranges from INR 10,000-90,000 (approx.) After the successful completion of the course, students have a wide range of career opportunities in this field before them. They can find worthy employment in leading food brands, including Minute Maid, Britannia, Cadbury, Nestle and many other well-known domestic and international companies and firms.

See Also: BSc Food Science and Nutrition

They may hold lucrative positions as Food Technologist, Food Scientist, Food Production Manager, Quality Control Manager, etc. The average initial salary of these professionals is between INR 5-8 lakes (approx.).

Table of Contents

M.Sc Food Science and Nutrition: Course Highlights
What is M.Sc Food Science and Nutrition All About?
Why Study?
Admission Process
4.1 Eligibility Criteria
4.2 Top Entrance Exams
4.3 How to Prepare for Entrance Exam
4.4 How to Get Admission in Top College
Syllabus
Top Colleges in India
6.1 College Comparison
Courses Comparison
Jobs and Career Options
Future Scope
FAQs

M.Sc Food Science and Nutrition: Course Highlights

The course highlights of M.Sc Food Science and Nutrition have been listed below. All the necessary information regarding the course is included in the following table:

Course Level	Post Graduate
Full-Form	Master of Science in Food Science and Nutrition
Duration	2 year
Examination Type	Semester based
Eligibility Criteria	To be an eligible candidate for the same, the aspirants must have qualified their graduation from a recognized institute with a minimum of 50% aggregate in either of the fields including Food Science, Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Home Science, Nutrition, Dietetics, Clinical Biochemistry, Life Sciences, and much more.
Admission Process	Entrance based
Average Course Fee	INR 10,000 - 90,000 (approx.).
Job Positions	Food Technologist, Food Scientist, Food Production Manager, Quality Control Manager, etc.
Top Recruiters	Minute Maid, Britannia, Cadbury, Nestle and many such other reputed national and international companies and firms.
Average Initial Salary	INR 5-8 lacs (approx.).

What is M.Sc Food Science and Nutrition All About?

A brief introduction to the M.Sc Food Science and Nutrition course was presented below to provide students with an idea of what the subject is concerned with:

MSc Food Science and Nutrition focuses on three specializations, namely Public Health Nutrition, Clinical Nutrition, Food Science, and Nutrition.
The course focuses mainly on inculcating in the minds of students the necessary knowledge of food compositions, the quality, and safety of food, the ability of metabolism relationships, the use of nutrients in food by the human body, an advanced understanding of the influence of exercises, etc.
Students gain an in-depth knowledge of how food tastes, its health benefits, the processes common to all food-producing plants, the means of maintaining food quality, etc.
MSc Food Science and Nutrition provides students with an in-depth knowledge of the subject of food science to provide them with an understanding of the science of food safety and nutrition.

Why study the M.Sc Food Science and Nutrition course?

There are several reasons why students have been interested in this particular field in recent times. The following are some of the advantages of the course:

The 2-year program provides students with extensive knowledge and skills to focus on food production and development.
This M.Sc. Food Science and Nutrition courses provide students with in-depth knowledge of the subject of food science in order to provide them with an understanding of the science of food safety and nutrition.
The course is a great choice for candidates who have great knowledge and are interested in the fields of food science and nutrition, a career that would promote people's health by living healthy eating habits and managing different lifestyles.
MSc Food Science and Nutrition is best suited for candidates interested in the fields of food science and nutrition, a career that would promote people's health by living healthy eating habits and managing different lifestyles.
Graduates of MSC Food Science and Nutrition can find worthy employment in well-known and well-known food brands such as Minute Maid, Britannia, Cadbury, Nestle, and many other well-known domestic and international companies and firms.
They may hold lucrative positions as Food Technologist, Food Scientist, Food Production Manager, Quality Control Manager, etc.
The average initial salary of these professionals is between INR 5-8 Lacs (approx.).

What is the Admission Process for M.Sc Food Science and Nutrition?

The process of admission to M.Sc Food Science and Nutrition is the same as any other course. However, while applying for a course, certain essential points must be kept in mind. These essential points have been set out below:
Candidates of the M.Sc Food Science and Nutrition course must meet the eligibility criteria in the same way as it proves to be a prerequisite for the same.
Admissions to the course are mostly based on the entrance.
The most popular entrance exam is GATE, AIJEE, CFTRI, etc., which scores are considered for admission to the M.Sc Food Science and Nutrition course.
Candidates may continue to apply for a course by submitting a completed application form.
Students can register for the same via either online or offline mode.
Some colleges may even allow admissions on the basis of certificates obtained in university or college-based entrance examinations.

Readmore: MSc Admission Process

How does an Entrance Based Admission take place for M.Sc Food Science and Nutrition?

In India, several colleges are offering a M.Sc. Food Science and Nutrition course. Admissions to these colleges are mostly based on scores obtained in GATE, AIJEE, CFTRI, etc., or any university or college entrance exam. For the reference of the students, some tips have been given below:

Register on official websites and provide the necessary personal details.
Fill in the online application form available.
Attend the exam on the prescribed dates only.
The results are issued on the basis of the marks obtained by all the candidates.
Some colleges may even hold personal interviews prior to the next admission process.

What is the Eligibility criteria for M.Sc Food Science and Nutrition?

Matching the eligibility criteria is the primary requirement for admission to a particular college or university. The eligibility for M.Sc Food Science and Nutrition is as follows:

Applicants must have qualified as eligible candidates in either of the fields, including Food Science, Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Home Science, Nutrition, Dietetics, Clinical Biochemistry, Life Sciences, and much more.
They must have scored or obtained a minimum of 50% of the aggregate at the qualifying undergraduate level.
The degree must be obtained from a recognized college or university.

What are the Entrance Exams conducted for M.Sc Food Science and Nutrition?

Admissions to M.Sc Food Science and Nutrition are mostly entrance based across India. The most important entrance exam conducted for admissions has been listed below:

GATE (Food Technology Entrance Examination) - This is a national exam conducted each year to select the eligible candidates for admissions to various courses provided by reputed colleges of the country.
AIJEE- This is a national level exam conducted every year for admissions to various prestigious colleges and universities like IITs, IITs, and NITs.
CFTRI - This is a University level examination conducted by the Central Food Technology Research Institute for inviting applications into courses such as M.Sc, Integrated M.Sc, Ph.D., and Flour Milling Technology Course.

The admission process is usually based on the merit of the students in the entrance exams. Cut-off marks are usually determined by taking the average mark scored by all candidates who have taken part in the examination. If the student manages to clear the cutoff, he or she may continue the further admission process. Once the entrances have been cleared, candidates are then asked for personal interviews to test their knowledge of the subject.

Some important dates have been mentioned below:

Entrance Exams	Exam Dates
CUET PG	Check Here
BITSAT	Check Here
NEST	Check Here
IIT JAM	Check Here
DUET	Check Here
TISS NET	Check Here

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, some exams have either been postponed or canceled. The above exams have been conducted successfully amid this situation. These given dates provide the students with an idea of when doing the exams take place every year.

How to Prepare for M.Sc Food Science and Nutrition Entrance Exams?

If the aspirant wishes to clear the entrance examinations with flying colors, he must prepare himself very well to achieve this. For the reference of the students, several tips have been given below:

Keep abreast of the latest exam pattern that will help you prepare well for the exams.
Check the most recent exam syllabus available on official websites.
Practice all kinds of questions, including the MCQ, so that you don't get confused at the time of the examination.
If there is a negative marking, don't go for guesswork.
Make a newspaper read your daily habit to stay up-to-date on current affairs.
Revise the topics prepared thoroughly until the final exam.
Don't go to the new topics a day before the actual exam, as this might confuse you.
Sit down for mock exams as this gives you an idea of how the exams are going to take place.

GATE Admission Process	GATE PRactice Papers, Mock Test Paers

How to get admission to a top-notch college offering an M.Sc Food Science and Nutrition course?

Getting to a reputed college is a dream for every seeker. To do this they need to prepare themselves well enough to clear the entrances and get into college. For the reference of the students, some tips have been mentioned below:

Admission to any college requires a strong academic background. In the case of M.Sc Food Science and Nutrition, students must have successfully graduated from a recognized institute or university in any field.
At the qualifying examination, they must acquire a minimum of 50% of the aggregate.
Start preparing for the entrances a year before the actual examination.
Find out whether or not the college you want to get in is good enough.
Get an idea of the curriculum that was offered for a course in that particular college.
Check if the college offers courses as this has been a requirement in recent years.
Find out about the college fee structure and check if it matches your requirements.

What is the Syllabus for M.Sc Food Science and Nutrition?

The syllabus of the course might differ in different colleges and universities. However, the syllabus given below provides an idea to the students as to what subjects are taught within the course.

SEMESTER 1	SEMESTER 2
Research Methods in Food Science and Nutrition	Institutional Food Administration and Country and Continental Cuisines
Statistical Methods in Food Science and Nutrition	Food Microbiology
Nutrition Epidemiology, Pediatric and Geriatric Nutrition	Specialization 1: Food Processing Nutrition in Disease and Disorders
Introduction to Computers	Scientific Writing and Nutrition Communications
Nutrition for Health and Fitness	Food Processing and Technology
Problems in Human Nutrition	Techniques and Instrumentation in Nutrition Research
Human Physiology	Food Product: Development Safety and Quality Control
SEMESTER 2	SEMESTER 4
Specialization 2: Therapeutic Nutrition	Biochemistry 1: Biomolecules and Energetics
Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics	Advanced Nutrition
Applied and Community Nutrition	Nutrition and Critical Care
Advanced Food Science	Common Practical Papers
Biochemistry 2: Metabolism and Diagnostic Biochemistry	Project

The syllabus is subject to vary in different colleges and universities.

What are the Best Books to refer to M.Sc Food Science and Nutrition?

Books are the most important part of a course and the choice of books is much more important than that. A list of the most popularly referred books has been given below for the reference of the students:

Name of the Book	Name of the Author
Food Science	Norman N. Potter
Food Processing Handbook	James G. Brennan
Handbook of Food Preservation	M. Shafiur Rahman
Principles of Food Chemistry	John M. Deman
Introduction to Food Engineering	Paul Singh

These are only a few books which are mostly chosen by the students and scholars as well. The students may refer to many such books that are related to the field of Food Science and Technology. Reading these books will provide them with extensive knowledge of the subject which they may further utilize in their career ahead.

Which are the Top-Reputed Colleges offering M.Sc Food Science and Nutrition?

In India, many institutions are currently providing the course of M.Sc programs. However, the most desired and reputed ones amongst them have been listed below:

Name of the Institute	Area of Location	Average Course Fee
Lady Irwin College, Delhi University	New Delhi	INR 18,000
BFIT Group of Institutions	Dehradun	INR 65,000
Manav Rachna International University	Faridabad	INR 46,500
Lovely Professional University	Jalandhar	INR 90,000
Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda	Baroda	INR 6,250
Pondicherry University	Puducherry	INR 15,750
Queen Mary's College	Chennai	INR 6,020
Avinashilingam University for Women	Coimbatore	INR 12,340
DGM MES Mampad College	Mallapuram	INR 11,050

M.Sc Food Science and Nutrition: College Comparison

A comparison between the most reputed colleges has been given below to help the students decide which college would be the best for them and matches their requirements.

Comparison Parameters	Lady Irwin College, Delhi University	Queen Mary's College	Pondicherry University
Overview	LIC Delhi was established in 1932, this is a women constituent college affiliated to the University of Delhi and is well known for providing UG and PG programs in the fields of Home Science and Food Technology.	Queen Mary's College was established in 1915 and affiliated to the University of Madras, the institute is spread across an area of 17 acres. It was earlier founded as the Madras Women's College by the Government of Madras.	Pondicherry University was established in 1985, this is a central university recognized by the UGC. The Institute offers various PG and Doctoral courses in both regular and distant mode. The Institute has been graded "A" by NAAC.
Average Course Fee	INR 18,000	INR 6,020	INR 15,750
Admission Process	Entrance Based	Merit-Based	Entrance Based
Area of Location	New Delhi	Chennai	Puducherry
Average Initial Salary	INR 5-6 lacs (approx.)	INR 4-6 lacs (approx.)	INR 5-7 lacs (approx.)

This comparison would help the students testify the various aspects of each college and then decide accordingly.

M.Sc Food Science and Nutrition Course Comparison

M.Sc Food Science and Nutrition vs M.Sc Nanotechnology:

A course comparison has been given below between M.Sc Food Science and Nutrition and MSc Nanotechnology programs. These are often the most chosen courses so a comparison will help the students decide their area of interest wisely.

Comparison Parameters	M.Sc Food Science and Nutrition	M.Sc Nanotechnology
Overview	M.Sc Food Science and Nutrition is a master's or postgraduate degree of 3 years which focuses on the field of food production and development. The course deals basically with three specializations which are namely Public Health Nutrition, Clinical Nutrition, Food Science, and Nutrition.	M.Sc Nanotechnology is a research-based postgraduate or master’s degree program. It is usually a course of 2-years which is divided into 4 semesters. The course deals with the studies of manipulating matter on an atomic and molecular scale. It mainly focuses on the structures sized between 1-100 nanometers in at least one direction.
Average Course Fee	INR 10,000 - 90,000 (approx.).	INR 13,000 - 2.5 lacs (approx.).
Job Positions	Food Technologist, Food Scientist, Food Production Manager, Quality Control Manager, etc.	Project Assistant, Business Development, Admin and Accounts Executive, Professor, Lecturer, Researcher, etc
Top Recruiters	Minute Maid, Britannia, Cadbury, Nestle, and many such other reputed national and international companies and firms.	Medicine, Environment, Agriculture, Biotechnology, Food and Beverage, Teaching, Space Research, and much more.
Average Salary	INR 5-8 lacs (approx.).	INR 2-6 lacs (approx.).

What are the Job Prospects and Career Aspects of M.Sc Food Science and Nutrition?

In recent times, Food Science and Nutrition is an emerging developing field. As a result, the demand for professionals in this field is increasing. Specialized candidates in this field can find employment opportunities both in the private sector and in the government sector.

MSC Food Science and Nutrition graduates can find worthy employment in leading food brands, including Minute Maid, Britannia, Cadbury, Nestle, and many other well-known domestic and international companies and firms.

They may hold lucrative positions as Food Technologist, Food Scientist, Food Production Manager, Quality Control Manager, Menu Planner, Researcher, Public Health and Community Dietician, Dietician and Nutrition Manager, etc. The average initial salary of these professionals is between INR 5-8 Lacs (approx.).

Job Profile	Job Description	Average Salary
Quality Control Manager	The work of these professionals involves that they need to make sure if the finished food products match the quality and efficiency standards as set up by the government.	INR 5 lacs
Food Scientist	Their area of work involves studying and interpreting the physical, chemical and microbiological properties of food items and their usage in different products.	INR 3.7 lacs
Food Technologist	These professionals indulge in planning the manufacture and production of food and drink products. They even provide new ideas and recipes for various food items that need to be resold in the markets.	INR 4 lacs
Nutritionist	Their area of work involves advising the patients on matters regarding food and nutrition and its effects on health. It includes specialization in areas such as public health, animal nutrition, sports nutrition, and much more of the same kinds.	INR 5 lacs
Community Dietician	These kinds of dieticians are responsible for working with wellness programs, home care agencies, health maintenance organizations, public health agencies, etc.	INR 2.3 lacs

What is the Future Scope of M.Sc Food Science and Nutrition?

The field of Food Science and Nutrition is an emerging developing field. This increases the demand for professionals in this field. The specialized candidates of the field can find employment opportunities in the Private as well as the government sector.

MSc Food Science and Nutrition graduates can opt for Phd courses. The candidates who wish to do research can either research on a new topic or continue their prior research independently.
Graduates can grab a job in the area of Food and Nutrition Technology, Food Technology, and Biotechnology.
Candidates can work as project Assistant in Central Food Nutrition Research Institute or work as an assistant professor at a reputed college or university.
After gaining work experience in food science and nutrition, they can start their own ventures and render their service as a Food Consultant as well.
MSc Food and Nutrition graduates can also opt for MPhil courses as it will provide better career opportunities in the field of academics and research.

MSc Food Science and Nutrition FAQs

Ques. What is the main focus of the subject?

Ans. The course deals basically with three specializations which are namely Public Health Nutrition, Clinical Nutrition, Food Science and Nutrition. The 2-year program provides the students with an intense knowledge about the discipline of food science to give them an understanding of the science of food safety and nutrition.

Ques. What is M.Sc Food Science and Nutrition?

Ans. M.Sc Food Science and Technology is a master's or postgraduate degree of 2 years which focuses on the field of food production and development.

Ques. Which are the top institutes offering this course?

Ans. The most reputed colleges offering the course are as follows:

Ques. What is the eligibility criteria for M.Sc Food Science and Nutrition?

Ans. To be an eligible candidate for the same, the aspirants must have qualified their graduation from a recognised institute with a minimum of 50% aggregate in either of the fields including Food Science, Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Home Science, Nutrition, Dietetics, Clinical Biochemistry, Life Sciences, and much more.

Ques. What are the employment opportunities after the course?

Ans. They may hold lucrative job positions of a Food Technologist, Food Scientist, Food Production Manager, Quality Control Manager, Menu Planner, Researcher, Public Health and Community Dietician, Management Dietician and Nutritionist, etc.

Ques. What is the average course fee for M.Sc Food Science and Nutrition?

Ans. The average course fee ranges between INR 10,000 - 90,000 (approx.).

Ques. Which are the entrance exams conducted for admission to the course?

Ans. Admissions to M.Sc Food Science and Nutrition are mostly entrance based across India. The most important entrance exam conducted for admissions has been listed below:

GATE
AIJEE
CFTRI

Ques. What is the average initial salary for the graduates of the course?

Ans. The average initial salary of these professionals ranges between INR 5-8 lacs (approx.).

Ques. Where can these professionals find suitable employment opportunities?

Ans. They can find worthy employment in leading food brands which include Minute Maid, Britannia, Cadbury, Nestle and many such other reputed national and international companies and firms.

Ques. For whom the course is suitable enough to opt?

Ans. The course is the most suitable for the candidates who are interested in the fields of food science and nutrition, a career that would promote health among the people by inhabiting healthy eating habits and managing various lifestyles.