Minors and Certificates

Think Outside the Box

Minors can complement your major or allow you to explore another discipline. A major can provide an academic background with a more specialized skill set, and a minor can provide additional foundational skills and knowledge to be a well-rounded job candidate.

Brewing Science and Technology Minor

This minor is only available for undergraduate students. As preparation for a career in the fermentation beverage industry, it prioritizes chemistry, microbiology, and the technologies used in the modern beer industry. Courses emphasize a strong science component and include hands-on experience with both production-scale fermentation equipment and a quality control lab.

Wolfpack Brewing Lab

Undergrad reqs and coursework

faculty inspecting a glass of WolfPack Brewing beer

Nutrition Minor and Certificate

Courses emphasize human and/or animal nutrition. A nutrition minor can assist with careers in healthcare, the food industry, or as a science or health science educator. Opportunities vary widely depending on your primary area of interest. For example, a nutrition minor might help those with backgrounds in animal or poultry science find jobs in research, technical sales/service in a feed or pharmaceutical company, or production, research and development for a livestock or poultry producer.

Dr. Natalie Cooke certifies students’ completion of the nutrition minor. You must submit certification no later than the registration period for your final semester. You must complete the minor no later than the semester you expect to graduate from your degree program.

Undergrad reqs and coursework

Graduate reqs and coursework

two women looking at produce at the farmers market

Food Safety Minor

The Food Safety Minor is available to graduate students who successfully complete 10 (M.S.) or 12 (Ph.D.) credit hours in selected courses and conduct their graduate research in food safety or related fields. The main purpose of the minor is to train students on food safety principles, regulations, and practices that are required to keep our food supply safe and protect consumers from potential hazards in foods.

With a minor in food safety, graduates will be in a stronger position to apply for government jobs in federal, state, or local agencies that are actively involved in ensuring the safety of the food supply in the U.S. In addition, students will have a competitive advantage if they choose to apply for academic or food industry positions.

Food safety is a crucial area within the food production system and for professionals working in the food production continuum. Graduates having a strong background in food safety provided by this minor will be well-positioned to work for any institution that is involved in the safety of the food supply. Note that at least one member of the student’s graduate committee must be a member of the food safety graduate faculty.

Graduate reqs and coursework

Contact Dr. Fernanda Santos

washing raspberries in the sink with gloved hands

Food Safety and Quality Management Certificate

The Food Safety and Quality Management certification program provides individuals with skills and knowledge of food safety, quality control, and operations management concepts useful throughout the food manufacturing supply chain. It is available through distance education to non-degree-seeking students and both undergraduate and graduate students at NC State University.

Certificate requirements

Contact Dr. Clint Stevenson

Food Science Minor and Certificate

The food science minor gives you a competitive edge for employment in the food, pharmaceutical, and related industries in such positions as chemist, microbiologist, engineer, nutritionist, business specialist, or technical writer. Coursework improves your knowledge and understanding of how food is produced. It also gives you the flexibility to tailor the program to complement your major.

Dr. Keith Harris certifies students’ completion of the food science minor before graduation. You must submit certification no later than the registration period for your final semester. You must complete the minor no later than the semester you expect to graduate from your degree program.

Undergrad reqs and coursework

Graduate reqs and coursework

Apply to Add a Minor

Application for admission to any minor program is now available via MyPack Portal. Admission is based upon academic records and, in most cases, no longer requires departmental review.

Add a minor