Oregon State University
Graduate Program in Food Science and Technology
Graduate Program Chair: Michael Qian
Department Head: Robert McGorrin
Contact: Academic Programs Coordinator, Department of Food Science and Technology, Oregon State University, 100 Wiegand Hall, Corvallis OR 97331-6602, Phone: (541) 737-6486 or (800) 823-2357. Fax: (541) 737-1877. E-mail: linda.dunn@oregonstate.edu.
Website: www.oregonstate.edu/dept/foodsci
Degrees Offered: M.S., Ph.D.
Program Description
General Requirements: Graduate Study in Food Science concerns the application of biological, physical and engineering sciences to further our understanding of, and to improve the quality, safety, nutritional, and economic value of food and beverages.
Departmental facilities include well-equipped laboratories and a pilot plant. Pilot plant facilities include a pilot winery, brewery, ultra-high pressure food treatment equipment, as well as freeze and air dryers and a variety of other food processing equipment. The Seafood Laboratory (Astoria, OR location) focuses on marine and related resources. The Food Innovation Center (Portland, OR location) house sensory and packaging laboratories. Through direct and collaborative arrangements, faculty and students have access to analytical services that include mass spectrometry, cell culture, flow cytometry, DNA and protein sequencing, DNA and peptide synthesis, confocal microscopy, and computer support.
Program of Study: M.S. and Ph.D. degree programs are offered. Specializations are offered in Food Chemistry and Biochemistry, Food Microbiology and Biotechnology, Flavor Chemistry, Sensory Evaluation, Food Processing, Food Engineering, Seafood Processing, and Enology and Brewing Technology. Two terms of seminar are required for each degree program in addition to regular coursework.
Application Procedure: Minimum requirements include a B.S. degree from an accredited institution, GPA 3.0/4.0, and GRE 1000 (Verbal + Quantitative). To apply, send photocopies of official transcripts from all institutions attended (native language as well as English translation); three letters of recommendation; application; a statement of objectives, interests and background; resume; GRE and TOEFL (international students only) scores sent directly from ETS.
Graduate Degree Requirements: M.S. requires a minimum of 45 credits and a defense of thesis research. A PhD requires a minimum of the equivalent of three years of post-baccalaureate study (108 credits), qualifying examination, oral preliminary examination, and a defense of thesis research. Students may not apply to the PhD program with only a BS degree.
Statement of Costs: Tuition and fees for the academic year 2010-2011 (3 terms, excluding summer) are estimated at $11,777 for residents, and $18,095 for non-residents. The non-refundable application fee is $60.00.
Financial Aid: Research assistantships are generally supported by the research grants of individual faculty and are available on a competitive basis.
Important: Because no student can be admitted without prior commitment by a professor to serve as major advisor, applicants are urged to contact potential advisors with shared research interests to learn about research and funding possibilities. This is best done on an individual basis, prior to, or concurrent with a formal application.
Faculty and Research Interests
Alan Bakalinsky, PhD, Associate Professor. Yeast Physiology; strain characterization and improvement for fermentation processes including winemaking, biofuels, value-added products. 541-737-6510. alan.bakalinsky@oregonstate.edu
Mark Daeschel, PhD, Professor. Food microbiology and safety; development of antimicrobial intervention systems to ensure food/beverage safety and quality. 541-737-6519. mark.daeschel@oregonstate.edu
Lisbeth M. Goddik, PhD, Associate Professor. Extension Dairy Processing Specialist; extension dairy processing; dairy product safety; product and process development; optimization of product quality. 541-737-8322. lisbeth.goddik@oregonstate.edu
Juyun Lim, PhD, Assistant Professor. Sensory science with emphasis on sensory perception and sensory methodology; current research focusing on understanding the role of human sensory perception in food preference; developing sensory and consumer testing methodology. 541-737-6507. juyun.lim@oregonstate.edu
Robert McGorrin, PhD, Professor and Department Head. Focus is primarily in flavor chemistry and trace volatile analysis. Additional research interests are in food analysis, chromatography and separations, spectrometry, and natural products chemistry. robert.mcgorrin@oregonstate.edu (not currently accepting graduate students)
Michael T. Morrissey, PhD, Professor and Superintendent of the Food Innovation Center. Value-added products; emerging technologies in food processing; seafood safety and health benefits; helping small and mid-size food businesses meet new challenges through product and processing innovations. 503-872-6656. Michael.morrissey@oregonstate.edu
James Osborne, PhD, Assistant Professor. Wine microbiology with emphasis on malolactic fermentation and the microbial spoilage of wine; influence of various wine microorganisms on wine quality. 541-737-6494. james.osborne@oregonstate.edu
Jae W. Park, PhD, Professor. Fish proteins; surimi processing and by-products utilization; surimi-based seafood products; functional and rheological properties of food additives; advanced food processing techniques. 503-325-4531. jae.park@oregonstate.edu
Michael H. Penner, PhD, Associate Professor. Bio-based processes for the conversion of plant-derived biomass to fermentable sugars for bio-product and biofuel production; mechanisms dictating rates of plant-derived biomass biodegradation; analytical approaches for the characterization of plant-derived biomass. 541/737-6513. mike.penner@oregonstate.edu
Michael Qian, PhD, Associate Professor. Flavor Chemistry, Food Analysis, and Dairy Chemistry. Characterization of aroma compounds, chemical and biological generation in dairy, small fruits and wines; instrumental analysis of food components. 541-737-9114 michael.qian@oregonstate.edu
Andrew Ross, PhD, Associate Professor. Fundamental and applied research of cereal grain components, wheat-based foods (noodles, artisan breads, food barley) and bio-products from cereal grain fractions. Located in the OSU Cereal Breeding & Cereal Genetics Program in the Crop and Soil Science Department. 541-737-9149. andrew.ross@oregonstate.edu
Thomas H. Shellhammer, PhD, Professor. Brewing science and technologies related to beer production and quality; application of high hydrostatic pressure to food processing and preservation. 541-737-9308. tom.shellhammer@oregonstate.edu
Yi-Cheng Su, PhD, Associate Professor. Seafood microbiology and safety with a focus on improving quality, increasing shelf-life, and reducing bacterial contamination of seafood. 503-325-4531.yi-cheng.su@oregonstate.edu
J. Antonio Torres, PhD, Associate Professor. Novel and conventional applications of high pressure processing and pressure-assisted thermal processing; applications of optical methods for process control and research; functional properties of natural polymers. 541/737-4757. j_antonio.torres@oregonstate.edu
Yanyun Zhao, PhD, Professor. Development and characterization of new food processing and packaging techniques with emphasis on their applications in value-added fruit and vegetable product development. 541-737-9151. yanyun.zhao@oregonstate.edu