The Food Science and Nutrition building and the adjacent Andrew Boss Laboratory of Meat Science are outfitted with the latest instrumentation for research in food chemistry, microbiology, sensory analysis, and food processing. Our research laboratories have an excellent array of biological and biochemical facilities-- from sensory, chromatographic, spectral, and digital image analyses to shelf life, microbiology, and genetic evaluation. Human and small animal feeding/nutrition studies are conducted routinely in FScN, providing a continuum of evaluations from raw materials to finished products to detailed biochemistry of bioactive compounds and nutraceuticals. We also have research laboratory and office space in the Cargill Center for Microbial and Plant Genomics, located on the St. Paul Campus.

We have excellent pilot plant facilities that support our research. The newly updated Warthesen Food Processing Center provides improved process and product development support. Center personnel include a number of specialists in dairy/cheese processing, twin screw extrusion, aseptic processing, spray- and fluidized-bed drying, milling, baking, micromalting, and a wide range of extraction, sterilization and multi-separation systems. The faculty and graduate specialists who operate the Center are available for consultation and assistance in development of novel processes and products, or simply for evaluation and analysis of samples or prototypes. Recent major additions are a Buhler twin screw extruder and fluid bed dryer, a Scherping Systems 2,500 lb horizontal cheese vat and de-wheying/salting conveyor, and a MicroThermics®  HTST/UHT Laboratory Scale Processing System.

The department has two well-equipped computer facilities available to FScN students that include computers, printers, scanners, and software to support research. In addition to our computer labs, there are 10 dual-campus computer labs available for use by all University students.

Students also have access to the latest scientific equipment available in other departments throughout the University.