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Discovering Dairy: What's in Your Milk?

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Discovering Dairy: What's in Your Milk?

This course is part of Dairy Nutrition for Udder Success Specialization

Instructors: Juan Loor

Included with

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

No prior experience required

9 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

No prior experience required

9 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Understand mammary gland anatomy and development stages.
Analyze milk composition and its nutritional variations.
Evaluate mastitis prevention strategies and treatments.

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

6 assignments

Taught in English

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This course is part of the Dairy Nutrition for Udder Success Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 4 modules in this course

This course offers a foundational introduction to lactation biology, focusing on the anatomy, development, and function of the mammary gland. Students will explore the processes of milk production, secretion, and removal, and examine the nutritional composition of milk—including fats, proteins, lactose, vitamins, and minerals. The course also covers milk’s role in human health, including infant development and lactose intolerance, as well as the significance of bioactive milk components. In the final module, learners will gain insight into mammary health, identifying common conditions like mastitis and edema, and exploring prevention strategies. Designed for learners from diverse backgrounds, this course provides a comprehensive overview of milk science and its biological and nutritional importance.

This course is part of the College of ACES suite of online programs, including the graduate certificate, "Dairy Nutrition for Udder Success" that can be stacked toward an advanced degree in the College of ACES. To learn more about online programs from the College of ACES and explore ways to apply your Coursera work toward a degree program at the University of Illinois, visit ACES Online at acesonline.illinois.edu.

In the course orientation, you'll get to know the course, your classmates, and our learning environment, and gain the technical skills needed. Then, start your journey into lactation science by exploring the anatomy of the mammary gland and the stages of its development. You'll also learn how milk is produced and removed through the processes of lactogenesis, secretion, and removal. By the end of this module, you'll have a solid understanding of how the mammary gland functions to support milk production.

What's included

12 videos4 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt

12 videos Total 36 minutes

Course Overview 1 minute
Meet Your Instructor | Dr. Juan Loor 2 minutes
Meet Your Instructor | Dr. Derek Nolan 1 minute
Module 1 Overview 1 minute
Mammary Anatomy 4 minutes
Microscopic Anatomy 2 minutes
Pre Pubertal Mammary Development and Nutritional Regulation 4 minutes
Embryonic Development 4 minutes
Pregnancy and Mammary Development 5 minutes
Lactation 4 minutes
Involution 6 minutes
Module 1 | Wrap-up 1 minute

4 readings Total 40 minutes

Syllabus 10 minutes
Learn More About Flexible Pathways 10 minutes
Updating Your Profile 10 minutes
We Can Influence Mammary Growth 10 minutes

2 assignments Total 60 minutes

Orientation Quiz 30 minutes
Module 1 | Knowledge Check 30 minutes

1 discussion prompt Total 10 minutes

Getting to Know Your Classmates 10 minutes

Dive into the composition of milk and discover what makes it such a unique and nutritious food. You'll explore its major components—fats, proteins, lactose, vitamins, and minerals—and learn how different types of milk, such as organic, A2/A2, and rBST-free, compare. This module will help you explain the nutritional roles of milk’s key ingredients.

What's included

10 videos2 readings1 assignment

10 videos Total 42 minutes

Module 2 Overview 1 minute
Milk Fat 4 minutes
Milk Protein and Lactose 4 minutes
Minerals & Vitamins 2 minutes
Milk and Human Health with Dr. Massimo Bionaz 10 minutes
Organic vs. Conventional Milk 7 minutes
A1/A2 Milk: What’s the Difference? 3 minutes
A1 vs. A2 Milk with Dr. Massimo Bionaz 4 minutes
rBST-Free: Hormone-Free Claims Explained 4 minutes
Module 2 | Wrap-up 1 minute

2 readings Total 20 minutes

Unprecedented Genetic Gains Are Driving Record Milk Components 10 minutes
Dairy Milk Label Claims – What Do They Mean? 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Module 2 | Knowledge Check 30 minutes

This module focuses on milk’s role in human nutrition and how it’s represented on store shelves. You'll learn about lactose intolerance, the health benefits of bioactive milk components, and milk’s importance in infant development. By the end, you’ll be able to interpret milk labels and understand milk’s broader dietary significance.

What's included

11 videos1 assignment

11 videos Total 39 minutes

Module 3 Overview 1 minute
Milk, Infant Development, and Health 2 minutes
Lactose Intolerance 3 minutes
Does Consumption of Milk Make Stronger Bones? with Dr. Massimo Bionaz 8 minutes
Bioactive Peptides 4 minutes
Milk Proteins and Bioactive Compounds with Dr. Massimo Bionaz 10 minutes
Milk Fat Globule Membrane 3 minutes
Oligosaccharides 3 minutes
Exosomes and Small RNA Molecules 3 minutes
Whole vs. Low Fat Milk with Dr. Massimo Bionaz 0 minutes
Module 3 | Wrap-up 1 minute

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Module 3 | Knowledge Check 30 minutes

Explore the basics of mammary health, including common conditions that affect the udder. You'll learn to distinguish between mastitis and intramammary infections, recognize symptoms of mammary edema, and understand prevention strategies. This module lays the groundwork for identifying and managing udder health issues. At the conclusion of this module, you will be ready to complete the final assessment for the course and earn your Coursera certificate!

What's included

9 videos4 readings2 assignments

9 videos Total 33 minutes

Module 4 Overview 1 minute
What is Mastitis? 4 minutes
Intramammary Infections 4 minutes
Mammary Defenses 4 minutes
Milking Equipment 5 minutes
Environment and Mastitis 7 minutes
Mastitis Tools 6 minutes
Module 4 | Wrap-up 1 minute
Course Summary 1 minute

4 readings Total 40 minutes

Key Mastitis Control Points for Best Milk Quality 10 minutes
Congratulations! 10 minutes
Stack Your Course Certificate toward Graduate Coursework 10 minutes
Getting Your Course Certificate 10 minutes

2 assignments Total 150 minutes

Module 4 | Knowledge Check 30 minutes
Final Assessment 120 minutes

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Instructors

Juan Loor

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

2 Courses 756 learners

Offered by

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

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Frequently asked questions

Yes! Although completion of the Coursera course alone is not credit-bearing, it is a required component of a graduate-level Canvas course that can be "stacked" toward advanced credentials such as an academic (transcriptable) graduate certificate or a degree. If you decide to pursue further education, the credits you earn from this course can be applied toward a formal academic program, provided that you meet all the requirements of admission to the certificate or degree.

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.