Dairy Technology (A.S.)

Location(s): Brookings Main Campus

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Split image with cows and students making cheese.

Program Coordinator/Contact

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

Program Information

The Associate of Science (A.S.) degree in Dairy Technology applies scientific, technological, and business principles to the study of milk production and processing. Students will gain foundational knowledge in the biological, physical, microbiological, and chemical sciences as they relate to dairy systems, including animal health, genetics, physiology, nutrition, milk composition, and product quality. The program offers two areas of emphasis—Dairy Production and Dairy Products—preparing students for careers across the dairy industry. The Dairy Production emphasis focuses on dairy farm operations, nutrition and feeding, herd health, genetics, and business management, while the Dairy Products emphasis introduces milk processing, product development, quality assurance, and food preservation. Graduates are prepared for entry-level technical and management positions in dairy production, processing, government, and research. Students completing the 60-credit A.S. degree may transfer seamlessly into the Dairy Production (B.S.) or Dairy Manufacturing (B.S.) , applying their coursework directly toward advanced study and expanded career opportunities.

Requirements for Dairy Technology Major: 60 Credits

System General Education Requirements

Goal #1 Written Communication: SGR #1 Elective Credits: 6
Goal #2 Oral Communication: SGR #2 Electives 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 Electives Credits: 3
Goal #4 Arts and Humanities: SGR #4 Electives Credits: 3
Goal #5 Mathematics: MATH 114 - College Algebra (COM) [SGR #5, HSDC] Credits: 3
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

Major Requirements

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 - Opportunities in Dairy and Food Science Credits: 1
DS 120 - Survey of Dairy and Food Science Industries Credits: 1
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 494 - Internship (COM) Credits: 3-12 (3 credits required)
MICR 231 - General Microbiology (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 3
MICR 231L - General Microbiology Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1

Select from the following

Select one of the two emphasis areas:

Dairy Production

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
DS 311 - Dairy Cattle Judging Credits: 2
DS 314 - Dairy Farm Evaluation Credits: 3
PS 103 - Crop Production Credits: 2
PS 103L - Crop Production Lab Credits: 1

Dairy Products

ACCT 210 - Principles of Accounting I (COM) Credits: 3
DS 231 - Dairy Foods Credits: 3
DS 496 - Field Experience Credits: 3-12 (3 credits required)
FS 101 - Introduction to Food Science Credits: 3
FS 251 - Food Safety and Quality Management Systems Credits: 3

Electives

Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Total Required Credits: 60

Summary of Program Requirements

Associate of Science

System General Education Requirements*: 25 Credit Hours
Major Requirements: 33-35 Credit Hours
Electives**: 0-2 Credit Hours

*System General Education Requirements for students pursuing an associate degree shall include a minimum of 24 credit hours. Some general education coursework may be counted for Major Requirements, Supporting Coursework, and College Requirements.
**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.