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Fermentation Sciences (BS)

About

North Carolina has more than 100 wineries, over 200 craft breweries and now dozens of craft distilleries. The Bachelor of Science in Fermentation Sciences degree program, a distinctive feature of Appalachian State University since 2012, is building an educated, innovative workforce for diverse career fields in fermentation related industries. An interdisciplinary degree in the A.R. Smith Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences, this program provides students with a strong background in chemistry and biology with a food and beverage-based focus in biotechnology, sustainability and business.

Faculty members have developed industry collaborations with local vineyards, wineries, breweries, distilleries and biotechnology businesses to provide students with practical experience. Students leave Appalachian prepared to lead the workforce in fermentation sciences and are qualified to develop or manage businesses.

After Graduation

Employment: Fermentation Sciences students have been employed at Novozymes Biotechnology company, Constellation Brands, The Boston Beer Company, Raffaldini Vineyards and Winery, Grandfather Vineyards and Winery, Olde Hickory Brewery, Booneshine Brewing Company, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Rogue Brewery and numerous other breweries, wineries, distilleries and biotechnology-based companies nationwide. Students’ employment opportunities at graduation are close to 100%.

Graduate School: Students have gone on to master’s and Ph.D. programs at N.C. State University, UNC Greensboro, Washington State University, Virginia Tech, Oregon State and University of California Davis.

People

  • Faculty Profile: Daniel Parker
    Faculty Profile: Daniel Parker

    Lecturer Daniel Parker and his students led an initiative to produce custom hand sanitizer in App State’s fermentation facilities to help supply the campus during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Alumna Profile: Emma Richardson ’18
    Alumna Profile: Emma Richardson ’18

    Having worked at a wine shop and biodynamic farm, Emma Richardson transferred to Appalachian to further her expertise in fermented foods.

  • Alumni Profiles: James Haugh ’16, Samantha Stefani ’16, Andrew Gibson ’14
    Alumni Profiles: James Haugh ’16, Samantha Stefani ’16, Andrew Gibson ’14

    From head cider maker and distiller to a manufacturing associate who is cooking up flu vaccines, these graduates demonstrate the diversity and versatility of career options in fermentation sciences.

Courses

  • Program of Study
    Program of Study
  • Four Year Guide
    Four Year Guide
  • NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide
    NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide

Related Programs

  • Chemistry (BS) - Certified Chemist
  • Chemistry (BS) - Fermentation Sciences

Minors

Nearly every Fermentation Sciences student completes a minor in Chemistry and many pursue minors in Biology, Entrepreneurship or Fermentation Sciences.

Information about the Fermentation Sciences minor is available on the Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences website.

View all minors

Admission Requirements

There are no admission requirements beyond admission to Appalachian State University.

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Why Appalachian?

  • The craft beverage industry is expanding rapidly in North Carolina and the Southeast, drawing dozens of small, medium and national business each year. This creates a strong job market and career potential.
  • The program has a high level of student engagement and research/independent study.
  • Students develop their laboratory techniques with state-of-the-art instrumentation in Appalachian’s Chemistry and Fermentation Service Lab, which provides analytic services to industry, sensory analysis and contract research nationwide.
  • The Fermentation Sciences pilot plant offers students hands-on experience in production systems, operations and management, instrumentation and mechanics, and recipe and product development.

Location

Boone campus only

Careers

  • Brewing Production
  • Wine Production
  • Distillation Technologies
  • Food and Beverage Processing
  • Applied Biotechnology
  • Bio-manufacturing / Bio-pharmaceuticals
  • Process Engineering
  • Environmental Remediation
  • Waste and Water Treatment
  • Agriculture Value Addition
  • Development of Sustainable Energy and Resources
  • Applied Chemistry / Analytical Chemistry
  • Applied Microbiology and Systems Biology
  • Business Development and Entrepreneurship
  • Federal employment with the USDA, FDA, CDC, NREL
  • Graduate studies and research and development in these areas

View more career possibilities

Contacts

Dr. Brett Taubman
Director of Fermentation Sciences
taubmanbf@appstate.edu
828-262-7847

Megan Hutton
Administrative Assistant Fermentation Sciences
huttonmd@appstate.edu
828-262-8158

College of Arts and Sciences

Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences

  • A.R. Smith Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences

    The A.R. Smith Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences offers a Bachelor of Arts in chemistry, a Bachelor of Science in chemistry with eight different concentrations and an interdisciplinary Bachelor of Science degree in fermentation sciences. The department’s programs prepare students to attend graduate and professional schools, as well as for employment in the pharmaceutical and fermentation industries and other business sectors.

  • College of Arts and Sciences

    Appalachian’s Largest College

    The College of Arts and Sciences at Appalachian State University is home to 17 academic departments, two centers and one residential college spanning the humanities and the social, mathematical and natural sciences. The college is dedicated to providing instruction and research essential to the university's mission and seeks to cultivate the habits of inquiry, learning and service among all its constituents.

    By the Numbers

    • 1/3 of the degrees awarded at Appalachian
    • More than 70% of general education courses are taught in the college
    • 93 majors offered
    • 53 minors offered
    • 6,411 undergraduate majors
    • More than 460 full-time faculty members
    • 41,203 living alumni
    • $8,754,800 awarded to the college in external grants during the 2020–21 academic year
    • $236,914 awarded to students through 6 collegewide scholarships and 98 departmental scholarships for the 2020–21 academic year

    Graduate Programs

    Accelerated Master’s program opportunities are available in pursuing a master's degree in 12 selected areas: Appalachian Studies, Biology, Computer Science, Engineering Physics, English, Geography and Planning, History, Mathematics, Romance Languages (French/Spanish), Political Science, Psychology (Experimental Science) and Public Administration. Other master’s degrees, graduate certificates and specialist degrees are listed on Appalachian’s School of Graduate Studies website.

    Top Employment Sectors

    • Colleges, Universities and Professional Schools
    • Federal, State and Local Government
    • Justice, Public Order and Safety Activities
    • Computer Systems Design and Related Services
    • Legal Services
    • Health Care
    • Biotech/Engineering
    • Elementary and Secondary Schools
    • Nonprofit Organizations

Appalachian Cares

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