Departments of Food Science and Nutrition

University of Mysore has sown a seed of M.Sc. Course in Home Science in the year 1970 at the palatial mansion in Manasagangotri campus. A seed sown on that day has grown up as tree of Department of studies in Food Science and Nutrition (Formerly Department of Studies in Home Science until 6th February 1994) offering Postgraduate and Doctoral Degree programme in Food Science and Nutrition, Human Development covering the following areas of study:

University of Mysore is the only University offering postgraduate and Ph.D. courses in Food Science and Nutrition in the state of Karnataka since more than three decades. The master’s programme in Human Development was introduced in the academic year 1993-94. The department celebrated Silver Jubilee in the year 1995.

The department is housed in its own academic building in the Manasagangotri campus in the year 1976 and got an extension wing of the department under VIII U.G.C. plan (1993). A new building for housing Human Development course was also built in year 1999-2000. The department has well equipped and furnished classrooms and staff rooms, an instrument room, Nutritional biochemistry and Food science laboratories, Research laboratories are equipped with various instruments - spectrophotometers (uv-vis), automated protein digestor, flourimeter, semi-auto analyzer, viscometer, freeze dryer, rotary evaporator etc. computers with internet facility are available. Facilities of national institutions such as CFTRI, DFRL and NIN are also utilized for collaborative research work.

Late Dr.S.G. Srikantia, former director of the National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, worked as honorary visiting professor at the department from 1980-89. He made substantial contribution to enhance the standards of research and teaching at the department. Since inception of Department more than 750 M.Sc. Dissertations and 29 Ph.D Degrees have been awarded.

The department has to its credit more than 280 research papers published in reputed journals and more than 465 research papers presented in international/national conference/Symposia/Seminars along with Books/booklets/Pamphlets written by its faculty in English and Kannada on Food groups and Diet during diseases, more than 20 Radio talks and 4 Television programmes were aired. Faculty and Students have won various awards too. More than 18 research projects have been completed and 4 research projects are on going. The faculty also provides consultancy services to the needy people at counseling Centre/clinics and provide expertise to food industry/hospital/others on invitation. UGC–DRS has sanctioned financial assistance under Special Assistance Programme (SAP-I) for a period of 5 years i.e. 1-4-2007 to 31-3-2012