Food Science and Technology | Oregon State University

Skills & Competencies

Skills developed through this program

Auto-populatedfrom O*NET via SOC 19-4013.00

Skills

Reading ComprehensionWritingSpeakingActive ListeningScienceCritical ThinkingQuality Control AnalysisMonitoring

Knowledge

Food ProductionProduction and ProcessingChemistryEnglish LanguageComputers and Electronics

Abilities

Near VisionOral ComprehensionWritten ComprehensionOral ExpressionWritten ExpressionDeductive ReasoningInductive ReasoningProblem SensitivityVisual Color DiscriminationSpeech Recognition

Tasks

Taste or smell foods or beverages to ensure that flavors meet specifications or to select samples wi
Measure, test, or weigh bottles, cans, or other containers to ensure that hardness, strength, or dim
Maintain records of testing results or other documents as required by state or other governing agenc

Technology

Object or component oriented development softwareWeb platform development softwareData base user interface and query softwareGraphical user interface development softwareGraphics or photo imaging software

Tools

Agar platesAnaerobic jarsBenchtop centrifugesBioluminometersBoiling water bathsBunsen burnersCalorimetersColony countersColor testing equipmentCompound binocular light microscopesDesktop computersDessicatorsDistilling equipmentDropping pipettesDry bulb thermometers

Work Values

SupportRelationshipsAchievementIndependenceWorking ConditionsRecognition

Career Pathways

Occupations this program prepares you for

Auto-populatedfrom O*NET + BLS

Occupations matched to this program, with median wage, top wage, growth, and openings
SOC	Occupation	Method	Wage	Growth	Openings
Match confidence: medium19-4013.00	Food Science Technicians	title_inference	—	—	—

Program Pathways

Credentials this program stacks toward

No program pathways.

What You'll Learn

Key competencies developed through this program

Auto-populatedfrom NSX Competency Framework

Mastery: advanced (Level 4)(based on Doctoral Degree)

Sensory program leadership — design and lead organizational sensory evaluation programs, establishing calibration panels and standardized protocols that align with product development and quality assurance strategy.
Testing standards development — author and approve container and packaging testing specifications for new product lines, setting organizational benchmarks that govern quality control across multiple facilities.
Quality management system ownership — establish, audit, and continuously improve the laboratory's regulatory recordkeeping framework, ensuring readiness for state, federal, and third-party agency inspections.
Food safety system design — lead the design and implementation of temperature monitoring and control systems at organizational scale, integrating automated technologies across production and cold-chain operations.
Data analytics strategy — direct the adoption and use of database, cloud-based management, and data visualization tools to transform laboratory test results into actionable organizational quality intelligence.
Microscopy and microbiology capability building — set technical standards for microscopic examination procedures, mentor technicians, and lead root-cause investigations involving microbial or chemical contamination incidents.
Laboratory infrastructure governance — oversee capital planning, procurement, and lifecycle management of laboratory equipment and technology, ensuring calibration systems meet accreditation requirements.
Organizational reporting architecture — develop reporting frameworks and graphical communication standards for food science data, enabling evidence-based decision-making at executive and regulatory levels.
Workforce development and instruction — design training curricula and mentor emerging and developing technicians in food science methodologies, safety standards, and quality control disciplines.
Strategic quality leadership — represent the food science function in organizational planning, translating regulatory trends and scientific advances into workforce competency requirements and operational quality strategies.

Program Details

Detailed information about this program

No detailed information available.

Requirements

What you need to earn this credential

No requirements listed.

Financial Aid

Eligible funding programs

No funding information available.

Scholarships

No scholarships listed.