Revelation of Food Science and Technology

When I tell people that I'm doing a degree in food science and technology (FST), most people will ask me the following two questions: 

1. Oh wow, so what kind of food do you learn and know how to cook?

2. Oh, so you're going to be a nutritionist who design and plan menu for others, and advice people on what sort of food is healthy and not?

The answer to both of the questions above is NO. Although, it is NOT strictly a no. As food scientists and/or food technologists,we do learn how to do basic cooking processes in the food science lab and kitchen. We also do take one unit in human nutrition. But ultimately, those are just part of the degree in FST. 

Food science deals with the science of food, from the chemical, physical, biochemical and microbiological aspects of food. It involves the integration of biological, physical sciences and engineering to study the nature of foods, cause of their deterioration and principles involved in food processing. Food technology involves the application of food science in food preservation, processing, packaging, distribution, and the selection and use of safe, nutritious and wholesome food products.To clarify my point, FST is NOT a culinary art program. We're not studying to be chefs. 

In FST, we study the physical, chemical and microbiological nature of food products, the technologies involved in processing and preserving raw foods from farm into safe, wholesome and nutritious processed foods for consumers in the market shelves. 

So food scientists/technologists may work in various fields such as food product development, food manufacturing, food research and development, quality assurance, quality control, engineering, and packaging departments in food industries, as well as food sales and marketing. However,we are NOT qualified nutritionists. What we learn in human nutrition is just the basic nutritional sciences. There's a degree for Nutrition and Dietetics by itself. 

I hope this clarifies the confusion as to what a Food Science and Technology degree offers.