Where Dairy Meets Discovery
The future of dairy depends on healthier animals, smarter production and innovative food technologies. At Cal Poly, you’ll experience the entire dairy system firsthand, from animal health and management to processing, product development and research.
What You’ll Study
You’ll explore dairy animal health, nutrition, reproduction and management alongside milk production, processing, food safety and product development while gaining hands-on experience across the dairy system.
What You’ll Take Away
You’ll graduate with the scientific knowledge, hands-on experience and problem-solving skills to improve animal wellbeing, production and dairy products while preparing to lead across a changing industry.
Dairy Science in Action
Experience the entire dairy system firsthand, from caring for the herd to creating innovative dairy products. Through hands-on learning, you’ll connect classroom science with the animals, technologies and processes that move dairy from farm to market.
Dairy Cattle Care
Build hands-on knowledge of dairy cattle health, nutrition, reproduction and herd management. Learn how thoughtful animal care supports healthy herds and productive, responsible dairy operations.
Milk to Market
Follow milk from the dairy to the finished product while gaining hands-on experience in processing, food safety and product quality. Discover the science behind cheese, butter, ice cream and other dairy products.
Innovation: Herd to Product
Explore how research, technology and product innovation are moving the dairy industry forward. Build the skills to develop practical solutions that benefit animals, producers, consumers and communities.
Coursework Highlights
Coursework connects dairy science with real-world practice in production, processing, animal care, and product innovation.
Classes and Labs
Explore how dairy products are marketed, promoted and priced while examining the strategies that connect producers and products with consumers. You’ll gain insight into dairy markets at both the state and national level.
Study the biology of milk production and the systems that support it. Connect animal physiology with the management decisions that affect dairy performance.
Follow dairy production from calf care to cheesemaking while exploring animal nutrition, health, welfare, milk science and food safety. You’ll gain hands-on insight into the processes and practices behind producing cheese from farm to fork.
Work as part of a student consulting team to evaluate real dairy operations and develop management recommendations. You’ll present your findings to dairy owners, consultants and industry professionals while building practical problem-solving and communication skills.
Develop an understanding of reproductive management in dairy cattle, including artificial insemination and the practices that support a productive, healthy herd.
See how microorganisms shape dairy products and food safety. Build knowledge of the microbial systems behind high-quality milk, cheese and other manufactured foods.
Apply production, nutrition, health and business principles to herd-management decisions. Use real-world information to evaluate dairy operations and recommend practical improvements.
Study how dairy cattle use nutrients to support health, growth and milk production. Apply nutrition principles to feeding strategies and real-world management decisions.
Experience Dairy Science
Step into real dairy operations, product innovation and industry-connected experiences that help you build community, grow your career and turn knowledge into meaningful work.
Find Your People
Dairy Science offers plenty of ways to meet new faces, share interest and find your community.
Connect with students who are passionate about dairy in the Los Lecheros Dairy Club, build industry connections in Young Cattlemen’s Association and lasting memories in the Veterinary Science Club.
Industry Experience and Connections
Connect with dairy professionals through the Dairy Products Technology Center. Gain exposure to product development, research and the ideas shaping the future of the industry.
Living Laboratories
As a dairy science student you’ll gain real-world experience in the Cal Poly Dairy, creamery and Dairy Products Technology Center. You’ll work with the herd, see products made from start to finish and build experience where dairy happens every day.
Explore Dairy Science
Take a deeper look at the classes and experiences that can help you shape the future of dairy