Who can make the sun rise, sprinkle it with dew? Cover it with chocolate and a miracle or two? That distinction used to be reserved only for "The Candy Man," in the song of the same name featured in "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" and made famous by Sammy Davis, Jr. However, it looks like a prestigious academic institution will soon bestow that honor on one lucky student.
The University of Cambridge, one of the leading universities in the world, is offering a "multidisciplinary PhD on chocolate." Sounds pretty sweet, doesn't it?
But if you think this program sounds like it entails loads and loads of taste-testing, you're going to be very disappointed. Let's not forget that we're talking about the University of Cambridge, which helped mold the brilliant minds of people such as Charles Darwin, Stephen Hawking and Alan Turing. There's got to be more to this program than just wolfing down some smooth, creamy chocolate day in and day out, right?
In fact, the program actually sounds pretty intense and not as fun as we had anticipated it would be. Then again, it is a PhD program, and you better work to earn that degree from such a world-renowned institution.
The program is based out of the Department of Chemical Engineering & Biotechnology, and it's all about learning the "fundamentals of heat-stable chocolate." Mmmkay... is it time to eat yet? No? Okay.
Basically, during this academic program, which is fully funded and will take approximately three-and-a-half years to complete, you'll study how chocolate stays solid and keeps its scrumdiddlyumptious taste when kept and sold in warm climates. It's primarily an experimental project that will use methods from various engineering, physical science and mathematical fields. You can check out the full official description of the program here.
If this is right up your alley, you best apply soon. Applications are due Aug. 29, and the program is slated to start in January 2015. Unfortunately for chocolate lovers of the world, only European Union nationals will be eligible.
But that's okay because there are plenty of food-related college majors out there for you to satisfy your hunger for knowledge. You can learn all about the wine industry with the Viticulture & Enology major at Cornell University, get your brew on by taking classes in Fermentation Sciences at Appalachian State University or learn how to concoct the perfect pastry with a degree in Bakery Science and Management from Kansas State University.
Ahhh, knowledge never tasted so good.
