Food Science Program
The UConn Department of Animal Science offers a comprehensive curriculum and experiences to prepare our undergraduate students for careers in the food industry. The Animal Science program focuses on the study of domestic livestock, companion animals and animal products. While pursuing a BS degree, our Animal Science students learn about the production and processing of food through the study of biology, chemistry, and food science related courses.
News
- Patented Probiotic Spray Method Improves Hatchability, Health of Chicks – UConn Today, June 2024
- The 5 Most Dangerous Things You Can Do With The Food At A Cookout – HuffPost, May 2024
- $10 Million USDA Poultry Sustainability Grant Making Progress on All Initiatives – UConn Today, May 2024
- The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt – Dr. Mary Anne Amalaradjou: Probiotics in Poultry – Wisenetix, April 2024
- Spirit Awards Recognize Outstanding UConn Workers – UConn Today, April 2024
- Novel Probiotic Application Method Shows Promise as Egg-cellent Growth Promoter for Chickens – UConn Today, December 2023
- Family traditions rooted in food grow into thriving microbiology career – IAFP, January 2023
- Bird Flu and Milk: What You Need to Know from UConn Dairy Safety Expert Dennis D’Amico – UConn Today, June 2024
- Food Microbiologist Shares Long-Brewing Passion for Making Craft Beer – UConn Today, May 2024
- Raw milk is the latest health fad. Experts worry it may spread bird flu. – The Washington Post, May 2024
- Greening the Food Supply Chain: Developing Sustainable Food Systems through Interdisciplinary Collaboration – UConn Today, June 2024
- All of the following: ANSC/NUSC 1645; ANSC 4341; NUSC 3233.
- One of the following: ANSC 3343, 3641.
- Additional courses from Group B, or the following list to meet the 15 credit total minimum requirement: ANSC 3318, 5641; ARE 3260; NUSC 5500; SPSS 2100.
- Student Employment at Creamery in ice cream production (Contact the Dairy Manufacturing Manager Bill Sciturro)
- Laboratory Research in Dairy Food Science and Microbiology with Dr. D'Amico
- Laboratory Research in Food Safety and Microbiology with Dr. Amalaradjou
Faculty and Student Awards and Scholarships
- 2024 George Walker Milk Grant - Enhancing Dairy Food Safety: mitigating Salmonella Biofilms in the Dairy Environment using Postbiotics and Aerated Water, $20,850 - Dr. Mary Anne Amalaradjou
- 2024 USDA NIFA Grant - Effects of in-ovo probiotic supplementation and post-hatch feed deprivation on muscle growth and productivity in broilers, $650,000 - Dr. Mary Anne Amalaradjou, Dr. Chaoyu Zhai
- 2024 USDA NIFA Grant - Effect of vitamin E supplementation on production efficiency and product quality of feedlot steers with different pulmonary arterial pressures, $650,000 - Dr. Chaoyu Zhai
- 2024 Poultry Science Association Maurice Stein Fellowship - Jodie Allen
- 2024 UConn AAUP Excellence in Resesarch and Creativity Award - Dr. Abhinav Upadhyay
- 2023 USDA FSIS ORISE Fellowship - Trushenkumar Shah
Scholarships
Student and Professional Associations
UConn Cheese Production
In addition to ice cream production, the UConn Creamery also produces limited batches of a variety of cheeses under the direction of Dr. D'Amico. Our award winning cheeses are sold at the UConn Dairy Bar.
Food Science Extension
The UConn Department of Animal Science is heavily involved in extension efforts in Connecticut and beyond. Dr. D'Amico participates in a number of outreach programs in the New England area. Dairy extension activities include:
- Dairy production safety training and workshops
- Extension based research identifying environmental sources of contamination and evaluating the persistence of pathogens in production facilities
- Training for producers in control and monitoring activities to improve hygiene and reduce food safety risks
- Comprehensive one-on-one technical assistance to troubleshoot quality and safety‐related issues in dairy production and manufacturing facilities
- Technology transfer program provides technical expertise and laboratory testing services while assisting producers in the formulation and development of new products
Food Science Programs and Events
- Nutmeg IFT Student Awards Night
- FFA Career Development Events