Brookings Main Campus
Innovate with dairy products.
Dairy products are vital components of nutritious diets around the world. The microbiology specialization focuses on the processing of high quality, safe and diverse dairy products, with an emphasis on food safety and quality management systems, leading to numerous exciting and diverse job opportunities all around the country.
The state-of-the-art Davis Dairy Plant provides hands-on experience through laboratory and employment opportunities in addition to optional commercial internship experiences. Graduates will become leaders in the dairy processing industry, especially in quality assurance and food safety.
Scholarships Awarded Annually
Starting Salaries
Hands on learning opportunities
The Davis Dairy Plant is connected to the Alfred Dairy Science Hall on the SDSU campus, and allows students to gain hands-on experience in farm-to-table dairy processing. The Davis Dairy Plant employs part time student workers, and processes approximately one million pounds of milk each year.
Is it for you?
This program will be a good fit if you:
- Are interested in ensuring all food is safe and of high quality.
- Have an interest in applied microbiology.
- Enjoy scientific inquiry and problem solving.
- Have a desire to lead and collaborate with others.
Career Opportunities
- Dairy microbiologist or lab technician
- Quality and sanitation manager, supervisor or director
- Sensory science specialist
- State or federal inspector/auditor
- Research and development
- Food regulation and policy advisor
- Dairy food technologists
- Food manufacturing plant manager
- Ingredient marketing and communications specialist
Recent Employers
- Land O' Lakes
- AMPI
- Saputo Cheese
- Prairie Farms, Inc.
- Ecolab
- Valley Queen Cheese
- Lactalis
- Agropur Inc.
- Fairlife, LLC
- State Departments of Agriculture or U.S. Department of Agriculture
Internship Opportunities
- Valley Queen Cheese
- Agropur Inc.
- Saputo Cheese
- Bel Brands USA
- Glanbia Foods
- Midwest Dairy
- Tetra Pak
- Prairie Farms
- AMPI
- Land O' Lakes
Suggested Certificates
Suggested Minors
Undecided or still deciding on a major and future career?
If you are uncertain about your major and have questions about career planning, you are not alone. Choosing a major or career can be a very difficult decision. The exploratory studies program may be a good fit if you are unsure of your major and career focus. Entering the university in the exploratory studies program will help you gain confidence and valuable insights on majors and minors available at SDSU and future career choices.
In addition, FOCUS 2 Career, a self-guided assessment, education and career planning program, will help you reflect on your values, interests, personality traits and skills to provide valuable insight as you explore major and career choices. SDSU students may access FOCUS 2 Career by using their student email and password. After completing FOCUS 2 Career, you may find it helpful to discuss your results with a career coach in the Office of Career Development.