Getting Started

College: CNS

(Revised Spring 2019)  

Information below is meant to guide first year students in getting started with this major and choosing appropriate courses.  More advanced students interested in this major would also likely start with proposed foundation/pre-requisite courses.  Please refer to the Major page located in the left menu bar to learn about the full major requirements.

How to Explore the Major

Suggested General Education Courses

All Undergraduates are required to satisfy the General Education Requirements. Guidelines for students, are availableat www.umass.edu/gened. Students should choose a wide variety of Gen Ed courses, providing breadth of experience.

RES-ECON 102 (SB); RES-ECON 121 (SBDG) are recommended.

Suggested Major and Prerequisite Courses

Required prerequisites, including recommended sequence:

First Semester Second Semester
CHEM 111* General Chemistry CHEM 112 General Chemistry
MATH 127* Calculus MATH 128 Calculus
ENGLWRIT 112 College Writing BIOLOGY 110 or BIOLOGY 151, 152, 153**
CMPSCI 105 FD SCI 103 Introduction for the Future Food Scientist

If students are not ready for Calculus they should take MATH 104. If MATH 104 is taken first semester, the chemistry (starting with CHEM 111) and calculus sequences (starting with MATH 127) can be taken second semester.

*CHEM 111 and MATH 127 have a prerequisite of MATH 104 or a recommended score of 20 on the Algebra portion of the Math Placement Test.
**BIOLOGY 151, BIOLOGY 152 plus BIOLOGY 153 lab are recommended for students interested in completing the Pre-Med/Dent requirements)


How to Declare/Change into the Major

For current & admitted students: This major is unrestricted, which means any student may declare the major.  Unrestricted majors may still have an entry process such as meeting with an advisor or attending an informational meeting.

See the Food Science Chief Undergraduate Advisor as soon as possible.

Transfer Students

See the Chief Undergraduate Advisor soon after arriving on campus.


Summary of Requirements for the Major

Refer to the Major page located in the left menu bar to learn more.

Students in Food Science can choose between three major options: Food Science and Technology or Food Health and the Environment or Culinary Science. Minimum total # of credits required: 42 in Food Science courses.

Is there a minor? If so what are the requirements?
Yes - A minor is available!  Refer to the Minor page located in the left menu bar to learn more.

For further information, contact:
Lynne McLandsborough
248 Chenoweth; 545-1016
lm@foodsci.umass.edu