Food Chemistry Program
We are launching our Food Chemistry Program with Chem 071 (Introductory Food Chemistry) in the Spring 2024 Semester. That course not only satisfies IGETC and CSU Physical Science Laboratory and Lecture requirements, but it also is the prerequisite for Chem 072 (Food Chemistry).
Chem 071 will give you the scientific principles of nutrition, what chemical changes occur in cooking, and hands on laboratory experience exploring the many chemical properties of food and nutrition. You will learn what vitamins really are, what 'carbs', and what proteins (...gluten?... that's a protein) do in food.
Chem 072 takes Chem 071 to a higher level where you dive deeper into the previously studied underlying concepts and garner more technical laboratory skills. Skills and knowledge that will allow you to eventually become a food chemist or scientist right out of LACC.
Entering the Job Market
Our new program will allow the student to be trained in the state-of-the-art analytical techniques and be directly placed into the workforce.
Transferring to a Four-Year Institution
Our new USDA Grant also enables a straight forward path to transfer to Cal Poly Pomona for an undergraduate degree - wherein further education or workforce entry will be further options.
Our Partners and Collaborators
Our Advisory Board
| Glen Baghdasarian | Professor of Chemistry (dept chair) | Los Angeles City College |
| Rosemarie Christopher | President & CEO | Food SMART Strategies |
| Denise Foley | Professor of Biology | Santiago Canyon College |
| Wendie Johnston | Lab Director | Pasadena Bio Collaborative |
| Amir Keshavarz | Assistant Professor of Chemistry | Los Angeles City College |
| Sunil Mangalassary | Professor of Food Science and Technology | California State University, Los Angeles |
| Helene Martinez | Executive Director | FIBR |
| Bill Orts | Center Director | Research Leader | USDA |
| Violet Perez | Research and Development Manager | Capitol Food Company |
| Grisel Ponciano | Molecular Biologist | USDA |
| Terri Quenzer | Executive Director | Bioscience Workforce Development Hub |
| Armando Rivera-Figueroa | CTE Assistant Vice Chancellor, LACCD | Los Angeles City College |
| Lilian Were Senger | Professor/Program Director of Food Science | Chapman University |
| Harmit Singh | Professor/dept Chair | Cal Poly Pomona |
| Barry Thompson | Professor of Chemistry | University of Southern California |