Program Overview

Dairy Science Program

The Dairy Science program is the study of managing and maintaining dairy animals, as well as the production and manufacturing of dairy products such as milk, cheese, and ice cream.

Program Overview

The program is located in San Luis Obispo, California, and provides students with a comprehensive education in dairy science. The curriculum includes nutritional, reproductive, and lactation physiology, breeding and genetics, and many aspects of dairy farm and plant management.

Curriculum

The Dairy Science curriculum provides significant flexibility, with enough approved electives for minors, all within the allotted units required for graduation. Students will learn animal nutrition, physiology, genetics, and management, as well as the fundamentals of dairy products technology and processing.

Dairy Industries Minor

A dairy industries minor will give students a basic understanding of the terminology and practices used within the field of dairy science, including cattle, dairy nutrition, milk production, and management, as well as dairy food processing, quality, and regulatory control. Dairy science majors may not minor in dairy industries.

About the Program

With the only dairy science program in California and the West Coast, Cal Poly is also one of the most advanced academic facilities in the United States for those pursuing a career in the dairy industry. The program is small and provides opportunities for individual attention and mentorship, as well as paid work experience and scholarships.

Learn by Doing

Dairy science majors are responsible for the day-to-day operations of both the Corporation Dairy and the Cal Poly Creamery. Under the supervision of management, students will perform all of the tasks necessary to operate these units and be paid for their efforts. These facilities allow students to experience all aspects of modern dairy operations, from both the cattle to the foods sides of the dairy industry.

Create Dairy Products

Students will research and create dairy products such as butter, cheese, and ice cream.

Our Graduates

Dairy science graduates pursue a wide variety of careers, including those in agriculture, dairy foods, education, veterinary school, and dairy/dairy plant management. A very high percentage of dairy science graduates go to work in dairy or allied fields. Dairy science experts are in high-demand, and employers come from across the nation to recruit graduates.