Cal Poly is located in San Luis Obispo, about halfway (200 miles) between Los Angeles and San Francisco, on the beautiful central coast. It is the only west coast university to offer a specific Dairy Science major. Dairy Science is part of the large and dynamic College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences. Generous scholarships are available not only from the University (Financial Aid)
and the College, but over $50,000 in scholarships are available to Dairy Science students each year, thanks to the dairy industry and private sources. Courses of study include preparation for teaching and veterinary school, a very popular agribusiness minor, communications, public relations, dairy husbandry, management, dairy products technology, processing, and pre-graduate studies in production or dairy products technology.The Dairy Products Technology Center brings in students and scientists from all over the world to conduct research in new product development and processes, food safety, milk components and interactions, etc. The DPTC also conducts short courses and symposia. Students operate both the processing plant and the dairy, and many students are involved with one or both. The University-owned dairy herd consists of 200 registered Holstein and Jersey cows. The Dairy Club is over 100-strong, including students from other majors, and involved in a variety of activities, with many opportunities to practice leadership skills. The Dairy Science Advisory Council is made up of industry leaders and was established in 1982 to provide counsel and enhance the relationship between the Dairy Science Department and the dairy industry.
