Culinology®

Learn Side-by-Side With Outstanding Faculty

In small, hands-on classes, you’ll enlarge your scientific understanding and develop your culinary skills. You’ll study food chemistry, product development, experimental foods, sensory science, food processing and much more. You’ll find a new home in the Christopher Nutrition Science Center of Parmer Hall with state-of-the-art labs and research equipment. In a curriculum deeply rooted in the arts and sciences, you’ll expand your capacity for problem solving, critical thinking and effective communication. 

This program is serious preparation for a career as a culinologist, an emerging profession that is shaping the future of the food industry. This major is also one of the few academic programs in the world to earn the approval of the Research Chefs Association (RCA). 

How it Works

• The culinology® major starts in the junior year.
• Students transfer into the program after earning an associate degree in culinary arts from an institution that is accredited by the American Culinary Federation Accrediting Commission, or one that provides written assurance that its curriculum meets ACF standards.
• At Dominican, you’ll complete the food science and liberal arts coursework you’ll need for the bachelor’s degree, including courses in microbiology, organic chemistry and statistics.
• The major requires a 300-hour internship in the food industry.

Prepare to Lead in a Challenging and Creative Field

The culinology® major provides you with the expertise and experience you’ll need to succeed in today’s fast-moving food industry. The curriculum is excellent preparation for a rewarding career as a research chef, product developer, research and development professional, food scientist, and many other professional roles that require the highly marketable combination of scientific knowledge and culinary skill. Our graduates are creative, knowledgeable, open to new ideas, proficient with technology and able to adapt and thrive through long and meaningful careers. They have earned their way into leadership positions in the profession of their choice.

Amazing Opportunities

Our culinology® students participate in a high-profile national competition sponsored by the Research Chef Association. At the 2017 RCA competition in Puerto Rico, the Dominican team won a silver medal for its interpretation of a traditional brazo Gitano (Spanish for “Gypsy’s arm”), a spiced sponge cake filled with guava paste and coquito cream cheese, drizzled with passion fruit gel and topped with coconut meringue and fried plantain.

Undergraduate research is a Dominican trademark. You won’t have to wait until graduate school to work side-by-side with a talented scholar. You can even apply for special university funding to support your work. Our annual research expo in April will give you a chance to practice your presentation skills and show your stuff.

Dominican offers outstanding opportunities to study abroad. A deep dive into another culture will expand your language and interpersonal skills wherever you go in the world.