Dairy Production (B.S.)

Location(s): Brookings Main Campus

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Student kneeling next to a calf.

Program Coordinator/Contact

Londa Nwadike, Department Head
Department of Dairy and Food Science
Alfred Dairy Science Hall 136
605-688-4116

Program Information

Dairy Science is an application of the sciences, engineering and technology, and business toward the study of milk production and processing. The Dairy Production major focuses on the study of milk production, dairy farm operation management, nutrition and feeding, genetics and breeding, herd health and business management. The degree is designed to prepare students for a wide range of outstanding, challenging and rewarding career opportunities ranging from industry to private enterprise, government, research and higher education. Students will develop a knowledge base related to the basic biological, physical, microbiological, and chemical sciences. These sciences are utilized to study the animal health, genetics, physiology, and nutritional requirements of lactating animals. Students will also be exposed to business operations management as it relates specifically to dairy farm operations. Graduates with a degree in Dairy Production are well prepared for professional positions within the dairy industry or for further graduate study in Dairy Science.

Course Delivery Format

The program offers in depth instruction and training through lectures, discussions, laboratory exercises and hands-on practical application and training.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Dairy Production curriculum a graduate should be able to demonstrate the following:

Understanding of the chemistry and physiology underlying the nutritional requirements of lactating animals, specifically dairy cattle.
Functional and practical approach to maintaining herd health based on a thorough understanding of animal diseases and their causes.
Functional and practical approach to breeding dairy cattle and confirming pregnancy to enable initiation of milk production.
Applied genetics related to breeding and herd management.
Microbial growth and survival as it impacts the safety and spoilage of milk.
Development of the ruminal microbial environment and impacts on nutrient requirements, milk composition and milk quality.
Understanding of cleaning and sanitation processes and protocols impacting milk quality.
Understanding of dairy farm management and operations principles including finance, human resources, environmental controls, nutrient management, business costs and profitability.
Ability to utilize verbal and written communication skills effectively in a group or individual environment.
Ability to utilize critical thinking and reasoning skills while ethically applying scientific principles toward resolving issues associated with the growth, care and feeding, and harvesting of milk from lactating animals.

Requirements for Dairy Production Major: 120 Credits

Bachelor of Science

System General Education Requirements

Goal #1 Written Communication: SGR #1 Elective Credits: 6
Goal #2 Oral Communication: SGR #2 Elective Credits: 3
Goal #3 Social Sciences: ECON 201 - Principles of Microeconomics (COM) [SGR #3, HSDC] Credits: 3 or
ECON 202 - Principles of Macroeconomics (COM) [SGR #3, HSDC] Credits: 3
and SGR #3 Elective Credits: 3
Goal #4 Arts and Humanities:
SGR #4 Electives Credits: 6
Goal #5 Mathematics:
MATH 114 - College Algebra (COM) [SGR #5, HSDC] Credits: 3
or
MATH 115 - Precalculus (COM) [SGR #5, HSDC] Credits: 5
Goal #6 Natural Sciences:
- CHEM 106 - Chemistry Survey (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 3
  and CHEM 106L - Chemistry Survey Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1
  or
  CHEM 112 - General Chemistry I (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 3
  and CHEM 112L - General Chemistry I Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1
- BIOL 101 - Biology Survey I (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 2 and BIOL 101L - Biology Survey I Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1
  or BIOL 151 - General Biology I (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 3 and BIOL 151L - General Biology I Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1

Major Requirements

AGEC 271 - Farm and Ranch Management Credits: 3
AS 219 - Principles of Animal Nutrition Credits: 3
AS 319 - Livestock Feeds and Feeding Credits: 2
AS 319L - Livestock Feeds and Feeding Lab Credits: 1
AS 332 - Livestock Breeding and Genetics Credits: 4
or BIOL 371 - Genetics (COM) Credits: 3
AS 333 - Livestock Reproduction Credits: 2
AS 333L - Livestock Reproduction Lab Credits: 1
AST 463 - Agricultural Waste Management Credits: 3
BIOL 103 - Biology Survey II (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 2
and BIOL 103L - Biology Survey II Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1
or BIOL 153 - General Biology II (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 3
and BIOL 153L - General Biology II Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1
CHEM 108 - Organic and Biochemistry (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 4
CHEM 108L - Organic and Biochemistry Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1
DS 119 - First Year Seminar – Dairy and Food Science Credits: 2
DS 130 - Introduction to Dairy Science Credits: 2
DS 130L - Introduction to Dairy Science Lab Credits: 1
DS 202 - Dairy Products Judging Credits: 1
DS 301 - Dairy Microbiology Credits: 2
DS 301L - Dairy Microbiology Lab Credits: 2
DS 311 - Dairy Cattle Judging Credits: 2
DS 312 - Dairy Cattle Breeding and Evaluation Credits: 2
DS 312L - Dairy Cattle Breeding and Evaluation Lab Credits: 2
DS 413 - Physiology of Lactation Credits: 3
DS 413L - Physiology of Lactation Lab Credits: 1
DS 480 - Dairy Farm Operations I Credits: 3
DS 480L - Dairy Farm Operations I Lab Credits: 1
DS 481 - Dairy Farm Operations II Credits: 3
DS 481L - Dairy Farm Operations II Lab Credits: 1
DS 490 - Seminar (COM) Credits: 1
DS 494 - Internship (COM) Credits: 3-12 (3 credits required)
MICR 231 - General Microbiology (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 4
MICR 231L - General Microbiology Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 0
PHYS 101 - Survey of Physics (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 3
and PHYS 101L - Survey of Physics Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1
or PHYS 111 - Introduction to Physics I (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 3
and PHYS 111L - Introduction to Physics I Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1
PS 103 - Crop Production Credits: 2
PS 103L - Crop Production Lab Credits: 1
PS 213 - Soils [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 2
and PS 213L - Soils Lab [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1
or PS 313 - Forage Crop and Pasture Management Credits: 3
VET 223 - Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals Credits: 3
VET 223L - Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals Lab Credits: 1
VET 403 - Animal Diseases and Their Control Credits: 3

Electives

Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Total Required Credits: 120

Summary of Program Requirements

Bachelor of Science
System General Education Requirements*	31-34 Credit Hours
Major Requirements	79-81 Credit Hours
Electives**	5-10 Credit Hours

*System General Education Requirements for students pursuing a baccalaureate degree shall include a minimum of 30 credit hours. Some general education coursework may be counted for Major Requirements and Supporting Coursework.
**Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements

Academic Advising Guide Sheet

The goal of the academic advising guide sheets and sample plans of study is to promote undergraduate student success by guiding all students to timely completion of an undergraduate degree. Students are not limited to the course sequence provided for their academic program. Instead, the sample plan of study is one possible path to completing your degree and is meant to be used as a guide for planning purposes in consultation with an academic advisor. The plans also help students prepare for meetings with their academic advisor and track their progress in their selected academic program.