Department of Dairy and Food Science

Feed the World — With Science

Dairy is a huge industry that helps feed the world, and the science behind it helps employ a lot of SDSU graduates.

All of the decisions that go into the products consumers pick up from their grocery aisle were meticulously made by professionals in the dairy and food science field.

Undergraduate Degrees Graduate Degrees Minors

Our Programs

Dairy Manufacturing

Dairy products are vital components of nutritious diets around the world. Dairy manufacturing graduates develop a working knowledge of the chemical, physical and microbiological properties of select dairy foods. A microbiology specialization is available.

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Collage of cows eating in a barn with people working in a cheese production facility.

Dairy Technology

The dairy technology associate degree focuses on the science, technology and management of dairy production and dairy products.

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Dairy Production

This major focuses on the production of high-quality milk with an emphasis on lactation, nutrition, breeding and farm management.

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Food Science

This major focuses on the science behind the processing of high-quality, safe and varied food products.

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Graduate Programs

Biological Sciences (M.S.) – Dairy Science Specialization

Biological Sciences (Ph.D.) – Dairy Science Specialization

Biological Sciences (M.S.) – Food Science Specialization

Biological Sciences (Ph.D.) – Food Science Specialization

9-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio

Over $165,000 in departmental scholarships awarded annually

100% job placement rate

I definitely think my time here at SDSU is preparing me for a future career, with the classes and the hands-on opportunities that we have.

Anna Johnson , current dairy production student

The students are amazing and are really working hard and have great faculty and staff mentors that are helping them.

Londa Nwadike , David A. Thompson Endowed Department Head and Professor

Dairy Extension

The Dairy Extension's mission is to help dairy producers improve their lives through an educational process that uses science-based knowledge focused on issues and needs.

Learn ��ϳԹ�� the Dairy Extension

Research

The department has a long history of strong research programs in dairy production, dairy manufacturing and, more recently, food science.

Explore Our Research

Student eating ice cream and standing outside the Davis Dairy Plant building.

Facilities

The Department of Dairy and Food Science has several state-of-the-art facilities for research. Don't forget to stop by the SDSU Dairy Bar!

Explore Our Facilities

Maneesha Mohan

Nanobubble Applications in Dairy Food Processing

Srinivas Janaswamy

Grapevine Cellulose Films News Article

Sanjeev Anand

Controlling Environmental Listeria – Dairy and Food Microbiology

Prafulla Salunke

Howard Bonnemann and Londa Nwadike

Visit Us

Davis Dairy Plant

Who wouldn't love to see how the delicious dairy products we all know and love, such as cheese and ice cream, are made? Here's your chance to see ��ϳԹ��'s state-of-the-art Davis Dairy Plant for yourself. Schedule a tour, and we'll walk you through the facility and give you a chance to see how ��ϳԹ��'s signature products are produced.

If you're interested in a tour, use the link below and our departmental team will be in touch as soon as possible.

Secondary teachers and youth groups (under 18 years of age) should register via School Tours to not only visit our Davis Dairy Plant but also explore options for other facilities, museums and animal units on campus during your field trip visit.

Schedule a Tour Schedule a School Tour