Close Menu
Scott with Student

Student Life

Undergraduate Program Extracurriculars

As a Food Science student, you will be part of a diverse and supportive community, meeting others to form long-lasting friendships and learn from each other. In addition, food science students’ clubs and extracurricular activities incorporate professional and social interests. Whether joining the Food Science Club or participating in a Product Development team, our department has many ways for students to become involved.

Food Science Club

The Food Science Club (FSC) is a learning community that brings graduate and undergraduate students who share a common interest in food science.

Dairy Products Judging Team

Students learn the fundamentals of dairy products’ sensory evaluation while competing with students from other universities.

Here are some additional extracurriculars that our students enjoy.

College Bowl

The College Bowl Competition is a team trivia competition for undergraduate and graduate students hosted annually by the IFT Student Association. The questions cover a variety of food science topics, ranging from the pH of milk (it’s about 6.8) to the name of confections that contain gelatin (those are called gummies) to the first four flavors of Jell-O (raspberry, strawberry, lemon, and orange). A regional competition is held in the spring, and the winner of each region competes in the national competition at the IFT FIRST conference.

The College Bowl is a great way to meet other trivia fans of all grade levels and experiences, learn about food science in a fun way, and travel to nearby universities. Students can join the College Bowl team anytime by contacting a food science club officer and can learn more about the competition on the IFTSA Website.

Product Development Teams

The Product Development Team (PDT) is a group of students that join up to compete in product development competitions hosted by various companies and organizations. Students are tasked with making a new product to fit certain criteria that vary by a prompt. They can access club funds and the Babcock Food Applications Lab to create these products. Undergraduate students of all years will join together to innovate new products and compete against food science programs at other universities!

Students participating in PDT learn how to lead their products, research, and experimentation. Examples include creating manufacturing flow charts and nutritional labels and conducting shelf life studies. Additionally, PDT helps build connections with other food science members like the Babcock faculty, future classmates, upper classmates, and industry professionals/companies. Finally, it allows students to be creative and innovative in their projects!

Madison Highlights

Madison, the capital of Wisconsin, sits on an isthmus between lakes Mendota and Monona with lakes Wingra, Kegonsa, and Waubesa in the surrounding area. The original settlers from the Ho-Chunk nation called the area “Taychopera” (Ta-ko-per-ah) which means “land of the four lakes.” Each season in Wisconsin is a host to wonderous events, from summer farmers market to winter kites on ice.

What We’ve Been Up To

Looking for Fall 2024 Food Science courses? Check out FS 711, Food Biochemistry!🧪

Looking for Fall 2024 Food Science courses? Check out FS 711, Food Biochemistry!🧪

11 0
Join the Dairy Innovation Hub on May 15th for their annual Dairy Symposium in Memorial Union! Use the link below to see a schedule and more information! https://ecals.cals.wisc.edu/2024/04/03/dairy-innovation-hub-to-host-dairy-symposium-may-15/

Join the Dairy Innovation Hub on May 15th for their annual Dairy Symposium in Memorial Union! Use the link below to see a schedule and more information! https://ecals.cals.wisc.edu/2024/04/03/dairy-innovation-hub-to-host-dairy-symposium-may-15/

5 0
Senator Baldwin visited the UW Center for Dairy Research to learn about its contributions to dairy businesses. Check out the link below to read more! https://news.wisc.edu/sen-baldwin-visits-center-for-dairy-research-to-learn-how-uw-is-supporting-new-dairy-businesses/

Senator Baldwin visited the UW Center for Dairy Research to learn about its contributions to dairy businesses. Check out the link below to read more! https://news.wisc.edu/sen-baldwin-visits-center-for-dairy-research-to-learn-how-uw-is-supporting-new-dairy-businesses/

25 0
Have you ever wondered how foods are made? Or taste the way they do? How to keep food safe? Did you know there are intricate regulations of food? Enroll in Food Sci 120 this summer to learn more!

Have you ever wondered how foods are made? Or taste the way they do? How to keep food safe? Did you know there are intricate regulations of food? Enroll in Food Sci 120 this summer to learn more!

17 0
Tour Babcock Dairy’s observation deck to learn about the making behind 175 S’more Years ice cream and Cranniverscherry cheese! Tours are first-come, first-serve for up to 30 people, but the deck is open to the public during all store hours. The first 175 visitors on Friday, April 5, can try samples of 175 S’more Years and Cranniverscherry.

Tours occur:

 April 6: 2 PM, 3 PM

Tour Babcock Dairy’s observation deck to learn about the making behind 175 S’more Years ice cream and Cranniverscherry cheese! Tours are first-come, first-serve for up to 30 people, but the deck is open to the public during all store hours. The first 175 visitors on Friday, April 5, can try samples of 175 S’more Years and Cranniverscherry.

Tours occur:

April 6: 2 PM, 3 PM

37 0
Looking for summer courses? Check out Food Science 140: The Chocolate Experience! 🍫

Looking for summer courses? Check out Food Science 140: The Chocolate Experience! 🍫

17 0
Assistand Professor Victor Ujor with UW Food Science has dedicated his career to studying the positive uses for microorganisms. Learn more about him and his work in the article linked below! https://grow.cals.wisc.edu/priority-themes/bioenergy-and-bioproducts/how-waste-becomes-a-resource

Assistand Professor Victor Ujor with UW Food Science has dedicated his career to studying the positive uses for microorganisms. Learn more about him and his work in the article linked below! https://grow.cals.wisc.edu/priority-themes/bioenergy-and-bioproducts/how-waste-becomes-a-resource

28 0
Join us for a Food Science Earth Fest workshop on preventing food waste on Monday, April 22nd!

Join us for a Food Science Earth Fest workshop on preventing food waste on Monday, April 22nd!

21 0
Looking at classes for next semester? Consider adding Food Science 330 - Dairy Products Evaluation to your schedule!

Looking at classes for next semester? Consider adding Food Science 330 – Dairy Products Evaluation to your schedule!

35 0