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 grads. 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.

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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.

Dairy Manufacturing

The microbiology specialization emphasizes food safety and quality management systems.

Microbiology Specialization

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

Dairy Production

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

Food Science

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

Degrees Offered

Undergraduate Degrees Graduate Degrees Minors

9-1 student-to-faculty ratio

Over $165K in departmental scholarships awarded annually

100% job placement rate

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

Dairy Extension

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

Research