Department of Food Science and Nutrition
Dairy Science and Technology Special Major
Dairy Industry in California
The rapid growth in California’s dairy industry has positioned the state to lead
the nation in dairy related activities. The two highest growth areas of California’s
dairy industry over the period of 1985-2004 have been the production of cheese (432%)
and milk (117%). The milk usage for cheese production is projected to grow from 46%
to 54% by 2015. The dairy industry generated $47.4 billion in economic activity at
the production and processing levels in 2005. In 2005, the industry employed 434,000
full-time workers. (Source: California Milk Advisory Board)
Career Opportunities
- Manufacturing Dairy Products
- Research and Development
- Quality Assurance
- Sales and Marketing
- Testing and Analysis
- Microbiology and Safety
- Government and Regulatory Affairs
- Distributing, Wholesaling, and Retailing
The Special Major
The degree of sophistication and technical expertise needed in today’s dairy industry
require a multidisciplinary approach. California State University, Fresno’s interdisciplinary
curriculum integrates a variety of subjects to foster a balanced understanding of
the scientific and economic components that characterize this industry. Students complete
coursework in basic science and general education, milk production, dairy processing
and packaging, marketing and business, and in-plant training.
Special Major Objectives
- To provide an innovative and technically trained workforce for the dairy industry.
- To provide research and development support for sustaining the growth of the dairy industry.
Facilities
- Dairy Farm with Holstein and Jersey Herds
- Milking Parlor
- Dairy Processing Laboratory
- Sensory Evaluation Laboratory
- Farm Market
- Research Center
- Analytical Laboratory
- QA/QC Laboratory
- Microbiology Laboratory
- Modern Library
For more information on the Dairy Science and Technology Special Major, contact the
Faculty CoordinatorJon D. Robison, PhD. If you do not receive a timely response from either faculty member and it is during
the University's summer, winter or spring break, please contact the Department of Food Science and Nutrition for more information.
Student Operating Cheese Vat
Pasturizer/Homogenizer