Food and beverage technology

The quality requirements for food are reaching new dimensions, especially in terms of health, prevention and functionality. In order to design and further develop the treatment and processing technology, food must be viewed holistically, from the ingredients to the nutritional physiology.

The courses offered in this field of study range from brewing and beverage technology to food safety and food technology. Some universities offer food technology or food process engineering and food technology within process engineering or biological or chemical engineering. Accordingly, the focus is more on the basics of natural science and engineering and less on imparting food-specific material knowledge. Depending on the university, course content in pharmaceutical technology and the technology of cosmetics and detergents are also taught.

A specialization in dairy and dairy farming, livestock and meat farming or wine farming is possible within the agricultural sciences field of study.

The sub-area of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages is offered as a focus in the food technology course and as an independent Brewing and Beverage Technology course.

The courses in this field combine basic scientific knowledge (mathematics, computer science, physics, chemistry, biology) with food-specific, nutritional, technical, ecological and business knowledge. In addition, engineering topics such as process and packaging technology, mechanical and apparatus engineering, process automation and biotechnology is taught, as well as physical, chemical, microbiological and modern molecular biological analysis methods for quality control. Topics such as hygiene, food law, plant sciences and preservation technology are also on the agenda.

Depending on the type of university and the university, preliminary internships in areas relevant to your studies are sometimes required.

Graduates are in demand in the food and life science industry in Germany and abroad. They are primarily employed in food production/processing, the supply industry and in research.

With increasing professional practice, they often take on management tasks in development, planning, production, quality control and marketing. In public authorities, they are active in food monitoring or trade supervision, for example. In addition, there are employment opportunities in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industry, the chemical industry, biotechnology and environmental technology. Testing and consulting facilities also offer freelance employment opportunities.