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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.

man in hair net preparing ice cream mix

Food Science Club

The Food Science Club is a learning community whose mission is “to bring together graduate and undergraduate students who share a common interest in Food Science and to also provide professional, educational, and social opportunities to its members.”

strawberry ice cream is produced in a batch freezer

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

Extending the Squeak? How cheesy is that! Dr. Rani Govindasamy-Lucey is researching how to prolong the freshness of cheese curds! According to Dr. Govindasamy-Lucey, the squeakiness is lost within 4 to 5 days after it is made.
#cheese #cheesecurds #wisconsin #uwmadison #cdr #centerfordairyresearch #foodscience

Read more at https://www.midwestfarmreport.com/2025/01/16/extending-the-squeak-reimagining-the-cheese-curd/

Extending the Squeak? How cheesy is that! Dr. Rani Govindasamy-Lucey is researching how to prolong the freshness of cheese curds! According to Dr. Govindasamy-Lucey, the squeakiness is lost within 4 to 5 days after it is made.
#cheese #cheesecurds #wisconsin #uwmadison #cdr #centerfordairyresearch #foodscience

Read more at https://www.midwestfarmreport.com/2025/01/16/extending-the-squeak-reimagining-the-cheese-curd/

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We're excited to announce that Vickie Kloeris, a food scientist who worked at NASA will be speaking at the Food Science Graduate Seminar on February 10, from 12-1pm. Don't miss this opportunity to listen to Vickie and ask her any food science question!
#foodscience #nasa

We`re excited to announce that Vickie Kloeris, a food scientist who worked at NASA will be speaking at the Food Science Graduate Seminar on February 10, from 12-1pm. Don`t miss this opportunity to listen to Vickie and ask her any food science question!
#foodscience #nasa

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Follow Aly Farrar, a sophomore Food Science major for a behind-the-scenes look at a day in her life at UW-Madison! From lab experiments to food innovation, see what makes studying food science so exciting!
#uwmadison #foodscience #innovation

Follow Aly Farrar, a sophomore Food Science major for a behind-the-scenes look at a day in her life at UW-Madison! From lab experiments to food innovation, see what makes studying food science so exciting!
#uwmadison #foodscience #innovation

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Happy Spring Semester! While it doesn't feel like spring, just know that bees always know how to 𝘩𝘪𝘷𝘦 a good time. This semester will be un-𝘣𝘦𝘦-𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘧-able!
#uwmadison #foodscience #spring #puns

Happy Spring Semester! While it doesn`t feel like spring, just know that bees always know how to 𝘩𝘪𝘷𝘦 a good time. This semester will be un-𝘣𝘦𝘦-𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘧-able!
#uwmadison #foodscience #spring #puns

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Interested in our new fermented food and beverages certificate? Take the first step in exploring the chemistry, microbiology, biochemistry involved in crafting fermented foods and beverages by enrolling in Food Sci 150 this summer to learn more!
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#foodscience #uwmadison #fermentation

Interested in our new fermented food and beverages certificate? Take the first step in exploring the chemistry, microbiology, biochemistry involved in crafting fermented foods and beverages by enrolling in Food Sci 150 this summer to learn more!

#foodscience #uwmadison #fermentation

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Follow Mason Bielen, a Food Science Major, for a behind-the-scenes look at a day in his life at UW-Madison! From lab experiments to food innovation, see what makes studying food science so exciting!
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#uwmadison #foodscience #innovation

Follow Mason Bielen, a Food Science Major, for a behind-the-scenes look at a day in his life at UW-Madison! From lab experiments to food innovation, see what makes studying food science so exciting!

#uwmadison #foodscience #innovation

42 3
Meet one of our Food Science Ambassadors, Mason Bielen! Mason's favorite course is Confectionery Science because he got to eat candy in class, then make candy later. How Sweet!
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#uwmadison #foodscience #ambassador

Meet one of our Food Science Ambassadors, Mason Bielen! Mason`s favorite course is Confectionery Science because he got to eat candy in class, then make candy later. How Sweet!
~
#uwmadison #foodscience #ambassador

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Planning on eating healthier in the New Year? Associate Professor of Food Science, Bradley Bolling says that many resolutions related to eating healthier can be achieved through small, smart changes. "Most people in the United States don't eat enough fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and other nutrient-dense foods," Bolling said. "We don't have to make giant changes to eat a healthier diet."
#newyearresolutions #foodscienceandnutrition #foodscience #uwmadison 

Photo by: Taylor Kiser on Unsplash

Planning on eating healthier in the New Year? Associate Professor of Food Science, Bradley Bolling says that many resolutions related to eating healthier can be achieved through small, smart changes. "Most people in the United States don`t eat enough fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and other nutrient-dense foods," Bolling said. "We don`t have to make giant changes to eat a healthier diet."
#newyearresolutions #foodscienceandnutrition #foodscience #uwmadison

Photo by: Taylor Kiser on Unsplash

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Happy Holidays, Badgers. Congrats on crushing the semester—finals are DONE! Time to kick back, relax, and enjoy some good food and great vibes. See you next year!
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#UWMadison #FoodScience #happyholidays

Happy Holidays, Badgers. Congrats on crushing the semester—finals are DONE! Time to kick back, relax, and enjoy some good food and great vibes. See you next year!
~
#UWMadison #FoodScience #happyholidays

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