Short Course & Symposia
For the past 40 years, the Dairy Products Technology Center (DPTC) at Cal Poly has been a trusted hub for education, innovation, and collaboration within the dairy industry. Through its extensive lineup of short courses and symposia, the DPTC has trained more than 3,500 participants, providing practical, science-based instruction to dairy professionals, producers, and enthusiasts from across California and beyond.
These programs—ranging from Artisan and Intro to Cheesemaking to Frozen Desserts Innovation and, since 2022, the Dairy Products Process and Packaging Innovation Conference—deliver hands-on learning experiences while highlighting emerging trends and technologies shaping the California dairy market. Each course connects attendees with experts, industry partners, and real-world applications, creating a dynamic learning environment centered on product quality, processing techniques, and innovation.
The DPTC’s strong collaborations with organizations such as the California Dairy Innovation Center, Pacific Coast Coalition and Dairy Management Inc. have expanded these opportunities even further, providing the industry with multiple avenues for continuous education, professional development, and knowledge exchange. Together, these partnerships ensure that the DPTC remains a driving force in advancing dairy science, supporting workforce training, and fostering innovation across the dairy sector.
Upcoming Courses
Advanced Unit Operations in Dairy Processing
Date: April 7 & 8, 2026
REGISTER FOR ADVANCED UNIT OPERATIONS HERE
Cheesemaking for Beginners
Date: April 23, 2026
Cost: $112 for one spot • $172 for two spots
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Make beginner-friendly cheeses step by step with our instructors
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Learn the basics of milk composition, cultures, and curd handling
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Take home recipes, tips, and your freshly made cheese
Frozen Desserts Innovation
Date: May 6 & 7, 2026
This two-day, hands-on course is designed to provide practical insights into frozen dessert formulation, processing, and innovation. Learn from both academic and industry experts, participate in formulation labs, taste comparative product samples, and explore the latest trends in the frozen desserts space.
FROZEN DESSERTS INNOVATION PROGRAM
REGISTER FOR FROZEN DESSERTS INNOVATION HERE
Cheesemaking 101
Date: June 17 & 18, 2026
This two-day, hands-on course is designed to provide practical insights into cheesemaking fundamentals, including milk selection, cultures, processing techniques, and quality considerations. Learn from both academic and industry experts, participate in guided cheesemaking labs, evaluate finished cheese samples, and explore key principles and trends shaping modern cheesemaking.
Program & Registration coming soon!
Best Practices in R&D and Concept Ideation
Date: July 29 & 30, 2026
This 2-day course is designed for professionals across the dairy and related industries
— including Quality Assurance, Research & Development, Operations, Marketing,
and Technical Sales — as well as food scientists and entrepreneurs eager to bring
innovative dairy products to market. Whether you are just beginning your product
development journey or looking to fine-tune your expertise, this program offers
actionable, real-world training with no prerequisites required
Program & Registration coming soon!
High-Protein Dairy Products
Date: September 8 & 9, 2026
This two-day course provides in-depth, practical insights into the formulation, processing, and quality considerations of high-protein dairy products. Participants will learn from industry and academic experts while exploring emerging technologies, processing challenges, and market-driven innovations.
Program & Registration coming soon!
Advanced Cheesemaking
Date: October 6 & 7, 2026
This two-day advanced cheesemaking course provides in-depth instruction on complex cheesemaking processes, process control, and quality optimization. Participants will learn from industry and academic experts while exploring advanced techniques, troubleshooting strategies, and innovations across a range of cheese styles.
Program & Registration coming soon!
Interested in upcoming courses?
Stay in the know! Sign up here to receive an email when a new course is announced!
Questions about Short courses or the conference? Email Sam Bass at slbass@calpoly.edu
Hotel Recommendations
Quality Suites San Luis Obispo (MENTION SHORT COURSE NAME WHEN MAKING RESERVATION TO RECEIVE SPECIAL RATE)