Courses specific to the degree address the biological, chemical and physical principles of fermentation as well as the engineering, processing, preservation, quality evaluation, public health aspects and use of beer, wine, and fermented food products. In addition to the core courses in food science & technology, chemistry, mathematics, biology, physics, and microbiology, courses distinguishing the Fermentation Science option include Brewing Science; Brewing Analysis; Wine Production Principles; Wine Production, Analysis, and Sensory Evaluation; Fermentation Microbiology; and Topics in Fermentation.

Fermentation science graduates enjoy career opportunities in the food and beverage industry: winemaking, brewing, cheesemaking, distilled spirits, baking and other fermented foods; and in regulatory agencies. Our graduates are found with employers of all scales, from Constellation Wines, E&J Gallo, Anheuser-Busch InBev, and Miller-Coors, to craft breweries, artisan cheese producers, and local wineries. Some graduates, possessing an entrepreneurial bent, have gone on to establish their own small businesses. Like all FST options, Fermentation Science is approved by the Institute of Food Technologists, and provides graduates with the breadth and depth of education to pursue careers in the food industry beyond the fermentation sector.