Frequently Asking Questions

Frequently Asking Questions-FAQs

 

What do food engineers do?

Food Engineering is an engineering branch that applies modern scientific methods and engineering concepts in the processing, preservation and distribution of foods, which are an indispensable need in people's lives, in such a way that they lose their quality and quantity at least. As their profession includes various disciplines, food engineers must be equipped with basic engineering and food technology, food safety and reliability, food biochemistry, food microbiology, food biotechnology and economics. As a result of the full membership process to the European Union, the increase in public control and the rapid growth of the private sector, the employment rate of food engineers is increasing day by day due to the importance of food safety and security. For this reason, the role of food engineers in our country is great.

 

In which public institutions can graduates of Food Engineering Department work?

Food Engineering graduates work in ministries such as the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock, the Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology, the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, and the Ministry of European Union, both as expert staff and as engineers. It is also possible to work in institutions such as the Turkish Patent Institute (TPI), Turkish Standards Institute (TSE), Provincial Directorates of Agriculture, Agriculture and Rural Development Support Institution (TKDK), Undersecretariat of Treasury, State Supply Office and Undersecretariat of Customs.

 

In which fields do Food Engineering graduates work in the private sector?

Our graduates work in the production, quality control and research and development (R&D) departments of factories. It is also possible to work in an office environment in the sales and marketing and planning departments.

 

What is the difference of SDU Food Engineering department in terms of curriculum?

The Food Engineering Department of the Faculty of Engineering takes common basic engineering courses with other engineering departments in the 1st and 2nd academic years. In other years, although the course content is specialized in the field of food engineering, it continues to aim to train engineers as in other engineering. For this reason, the course content in general is similar to engineering departments. The courses that distinguish the Food Engineering department from other engineering departments are courses such as food chemistry, food microbiology, and physical properties of foods. Click here to access our undergraduate curriculum.

 

Is Food Engineering a female profession?

The number of female students in our department has been more than male students in almost every semester. As an undergraduate education preference, it can be said that female students prefer Food Engineering more. However, this is not parallel to the preference in the food sector. There are positions in the food industry where both genders can be preferred. In general, it can be more difficult to find male candidates to work in positions such as Production Engineering or Shift Engineering, where men are more suitable in this occupational group where women are more common. Therefore, it can be said that the demand for male Food Engineers is higher due to the fact that men are in the minority in the industry.

 

What are the differences between food engineering and nutrition dietetics?

Food Engineering includes the whole process from the collection of a food to the table. This includes all stages of food processing, storage, sale, quality-control, development of new products, until the food becomes consumable and safe. Nutritional dietetics, on the other hand, deals with people more than food. It aims to protect and improve human health and increase the quality of life with a healthy and balanced diet. Details such as calculating the nutritional value of foods, their effects on health and the amount of calories are the areas of specialization for the graduates of Nutrition and Dietetics, not Food Engineers. A Food Engineer cannot be a dietitian; Likewise, vice versa is not possible. In short, while Food Engineering deals with the production processes of foods, dietitians are concerned with the effects of these foods consumed on human health. A Dietitian, not a Food Engineer, can answer the questions "What should we eat, what kind of dietary advice do you offer", which are the most frequently encountered by food engineers?

 

In which departments can a master's degree be done after graduation?

Graduates of the Department of Food Engineering can pursue a master's degree in many different departments at home and abroad, depending on their interests. Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Design departments are among the departments that are frequently preferred for master's degrees. For Food Engineering graduates who want to continue their education abroad, graduate and doctorate education opportunities are available at leading universities in Europe and America through Fullbright, TÜBİTAK scholarships and the YLSY program supported by the Ministry of National Education.