Crop Sciences

Addresses ecologically based management of cropping systems, stewardship of the environment, and sustainable food production systems. The intersection between crop plants and their environment is emphasized in this concentration. Graduates of the Agroecology concentration are prepared for careers in integrated plant health management, crop consulting, and agrichemical management or for entrance into graduate school.

Designed for students who plan to enter a graduate study program or who want professional positions that require more science than included in the other concentrations. Courses for the second, third, and fourth years are planned in consultation with the student's faculty advisor, in the area of biological sciences. Students and advisors are encouraged to consult individual graduate schools for the specific entrance requirements. Although flexibility in individual course selection is a characteristic of this concentration, graduation requirements are established by selection of elective courses.

Designed for students wanting to combine agronomic production and business management. This concentration prepares students for careers in production and marketing, cropping systems management, and a broad range of multi-functional agricultural enterprises, or for entrance into graduate school.

Designed for students with an interest in agronomic crop plants. Students study the diversity of crop plants - how they grow and how they are grown. This concentration prepares students for careers in crop production and marketing, cropping systems management, plant breeding, and seed merchandising, or for entrance into graduate school.

Provides students with a strong foundation in plant sciences along with specialized knowledge in horticultural fruit and vegetable crop systems at urban, local, and commercial scales. This concentration prepares students for careers as crop consultants, crop protection and production specialists; entrepreneurs in urban and local food systems; greenhouse or farm managers; and as community gardening and horticultural educators.

Provides a curriculum that prepares students for careers in biotechnology, or for entrance into graduate school. The basic sciences are emphasized, including a strong foundation in biology and genetics. Students are encouraged to participate in undergraduate independent study in a molecular biology laboratory. For those who wish to pursue graduate work later, adequate preparation may be obtained by suitable choices of electives within the framework of this concentration.

Provides a broad selection of courses in crops, soils, plant diseases, insects and weeds, and the physical sciences. Students learn how to protect plants from the effects of diseases, insects, and weeds. This concentration is designed to prepare students for careers in crop consulting, integrated pest management, and agribusiness managing and merchandising, or for entrance into a graduate program. 

• Knowledge of applied plant biology, crop growth and management, and soil science
• Problem solving abilities
• Proficiency with independent and cooperative work
• Quantitative reasoning
• Self-directed learning
• Written and oral communication skills

• Crop Consultant
• Seed Quality Specialist
• Plant Breeder
• Plant Breeding Technician
• Plant Pathologist
• Greenhouse Technician
• Horticulturalist
• Lab Technician
• Soil Conservationist
• Soil Scientist
• Field Agronomist
• Agronomic Research Scientist
• Sales Manager
• County Extension educator
• APHIS inspector
• 4-H educator
• FDA food inspector
• Ag business consultant
• Pesticide applicator
• Research Plant pathologist
• Plant Protection and Quarantine officer
• Plant Protection technician
• Plant Pathology supervisor
• Plant Diagnostician

Some careers may require education beyond an undergraduate degree.