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's 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

9-1 student-to-faculty ratio

Over $165,000 in departmental scholarships awarded annually

100% job placement rate

[I believe] I can make a difference, whether that's a small difference with saving water or even a big difference with making a new product. What interests me specifically about the dairy world is just how complex it is.

Raul Berrones Pedraza , current dairy manufacturing student and intern

I love how chemistry affects the food by the way it's cooked and how it's prepared. It's cool how chemistry relates to what I want to do in the future, and how much there is yet to be explored.

Sadie Streff , current food science and biochemistry dual major student and student employee in the Davis Dairy Plant

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

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 About the Dairy Extension

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

Explore Our Ģ��ý

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

Clifford Hall

Srinivas Janaswamy

Grapevine Cellulose Films News Article

Sanjeev Anand

Controlling Environmental Listeria – Dairy and Food Microbiology

Steve Beckman

Meet the Davis Dairy Plant Manager

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 Ģ��ý's state-of-the-art Davis Dairy Plant for yourself. Simply schedule a tour, and we'll walk you through the facility and give you a chance to see how Ģ��ý's signature products are produced.

Direct Davis Dairy Plant tour interests should use the Plant Tour link and our departmental team will touch base with you 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 School Tours