The Food Science program at CSUN applies a combination of the physical, biological and social science to create a comprehensive curriculum. Students in Food Science have a strong foundation in chemistry and biology, and a passion for food. Lower-division courses include Food Product Development, Food Safety, Food Chemistry and Analysis, Food Service, and other. Food Science is the discipline in which biology, chemistry, and the physical sciences are applied to study the nature of food and the principles underlying food production. A food scientist studies the physical, microbiological and chemical makeup of food and examines how it is grown and/or manufactured, processed, preserved, packaged, transported, and otherwise prepared according to industry and government specifications and regulations. Professional options fro graduates include a variety of positions in quality assurance and control, food safety, research and product development, sensory evaluation and food marketing and distribution. The program has a strong network support from local food industry through its involvement with the local section of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT).