Major Advising Page: Food Science
The Food Science Department strongly supports students getting an international experience during their undergraduate years. The benefits of such an experience are numerous, including gaining a broader cultural perspective, gaining insights into the food culture of a different country, and gaining self-confidence by learning to make your own way in an unfamiliar environment. One student said, after returning from a semester abroad, that his experience gave him the confidence in his abilities to tackle almost any challenge.
Course considerations
Although the department recognizes the benefits of a semester abroad, our undergraduate curriculum is tightly structured and controlled, leaving few options to take food science courses abroad. Students are best served by simply gaining the international experience and not trying to take food science course equivalents. Further, because of the structure of the last 4 semesters, it is nearly impossible to take a study abroad during junior and senior years without extending the undergraduate program by a year (even if it is only one semester abroad).
The four-year plan shown below provides an option of a study abroad semester during the sophomore year. However, to meet all of the background science prerequisites for the junior year, it is most likely that you must take classes for at least one summer. Thus, you are encouraged to speak with your advisor as early in the program as possible to ensure all prerequisites are met prior to starting the third (junior) year.
Map your experience as a
food science student
Example four-year plan for a food science major studying abroad for a semester
| Year | Fall | Spring | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Year | Gen Chem ICalc 221First Year SemComm ElectiveGen Ed Elective | Gen Chem IIBio 151Gen Ed Elective FS 201 | Micro 101/102 |
| 2nd Year | O Chem IPhysics 1FS 301Stat elective | Study AGen Eds | O Chem 344/345 |
| 3rd Year | Intro BiochemFS 410FS 324/325FS 440Gen Ed Elective | FS 321FS 412FS 432NS 332 or 510FS ElectiveGen Ed Elective | No courses |
| 4th Year | FS 532FS 602FS ElectiveScience ElectiveGen Ed Elective | FS 514FS 603FS ElectiveScience ElectiveGen Ed Elective | No courses |
Freshman year
During the first year of the food science major, you primarily gain basic disciplinary knowledge that will be applied to upper-level classes. The only FS curriculum course is a career orientation class. If you wish to study abroad during the first year of the major, you could explore winter, spring, and summer breaks.
Sophomore year
During the second year of the food science major, you gain further disciplinary knowledge, but you are also introduced to the broad field of food science in the introductory course (FS 301). If you are interested in studying abroad for a semester, the spring semester of your sophomore year would be a great time to do so. You could also explore winter, summer, and spring break programs.
Junior year
In Year 3, the primary aim of the food science required courses is the development of foundational principles, particularly in food chemistry, microbiology, and processing. It is challenging to participate in a semester program during the junior year because of course sequencing, but winter, summer, and spring break programs that address topics of food science are possible.
Senior year
Integrated and project-based courses in the senior year raise the technical level but also require you to apply your knowledge to solve problems, better preparing you for industry jobs as well as graduate schools. Studying abroad for a semester during senior is extremely challenging given the course sequencing of food science requirements, but winter and spring break programs would be a great way to enhance your senior year experience.
Ask questions
- What classes must I complete for my degree (breadth/depth, major requirements, etc.)?
- Do I need to be on UW–Madison’s campus for any courses in my major?
- How many electives do I have outside of my major?
- What classes can I take abroad?
- How and when do I select courses for my program?
- When will I know course equivalents for my program?
- What is the class structure like abroad?
- What skills do careers related to my major require, and how might participating in a particular program help me gain those skills?
- When would be the best time to participate in a program based on my career goals?
- How will participating in a study abroad, study away, or international internship make me stand out?
- Why do I want to study abroad?
- How long do I want to study abroad for — a few weeks, a semester, a year?
- How does studying abroad fit into my academic, personal, and/or professional goals?
- What career skills or proficiencies will I strive to acquire or enhance on my program?
- What are my priorities for my undergraduate education — is it graduating in 4 years, studying abroad for a semester, or completing multiple majors/certificates? Which of these are most important if it becomes difficult to fit everything in?
Discover programs that are right for you
Studying abroad, regardless of the program, offers myriad benefits. When considering programs, strive to identify those that will expose you to subjects, places, cultures, and languages you find appealing, but will also help you complete your degree. You will likely find that many programs all over the world fit your goals and interests.
The following are programs that may be of interest to you! Durations and courses vary and may count toward electives or degree requirements. If you do not have specific requirements, there’s more flexibility in program type and location.
These opportunities are not an exhaustive list of all programs.
In this section
Semester and academic year programs
Short-term programs
France
Greece
Perrotis College (semester or summer)
6 credits; This six-week summer program includes a 3-credit class on the Greek Cultural Experience and the option to take an additional 3-credit class or engage in a 3-credit research or work internship.
Italy
Japan
Uganda
UW Agriculture, Health & Nutrition in Uganda (winter intersession)
International Internships
International internships allow you to apply your academic skills to the real world and gain valuable professional experience abroad while earning UW–Madison course credit.
As you consider your academic and professional goals for studying abroad, explore the different internship options, including UW Signature internships, internship-focused programs, part-time internships, or applying for credit for an external internship.
Check with your academic advisor to see if earning credit for your internship abroad can fulfill a major or certificate requirement.
Internships that might be of interest to you include:
- Australia: The Fermentary Content Creation Internship
- South Africa: Kidlinks Organic Farming Research Internship
Hear from students in your major
Explore student blogs and reflections to see how your peers have connected international experiences to their studies. Discover real stories about the skills, challenges, and professional insights gained through our programs.
Photo credit: Mia Kroll (Uganda)
Want more information?
Dive deeper into how courses and credits work on our programs, or connect with an advisor to find the best fit for your goals.
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