• This program is an essential component of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore effort to become a Carnegie Doctoral/Research University - Intensive classified institution.
  • The mission of the FDST Doctoral program is to prepare students for successful careers and life-long learning experiences within the food industry, academia and government. Studying for an advanced degree in Food Science and Technology prepares graduates for employment as food scientists, food chemists, food microbiologists, processing engineers, research scientists, educator, and related positions.
  • The goal of our teaching, research and outreach programs is to enhance the safety, quality and availability of foods. Emphasis is given to commodities of importance within our region, including poultry, seafood, produce, and small farm animals.
  • The FDST courses cover a wide range of topics and are designed to give students an overview of basic principles of Food Science leading to discussion of advanced topics and novel technologies relevant to manufacture and distribution of processed foods.
  • This includes the discussion of the composition of foods; reactions of components during the growing, harvesting, storage, transportation and processing phase; processes and technologies employed during the industrial manufacture of food; risks that threaten the wholesomeness of foods and management of those risks; development of new food products; regulatory issues important to the food industry; and more. Food safety research from farm to table is conducted in our program.
  • Activities include the detection of pathogenic microorganisms and the development and evaluation of processes to control/eliminate them. Similarly, spoilage microorganisms that impede the quality of foods are being studied. Animal stress and its relationship to meat quality is being studied, as well as the effect of breeding and feeding practices on meat quality.