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Department of Plant and Soil Science

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Undergraduate ProgramGraduate ProgramCourse DescriptionsFaculty

 

About the Program

This department supervises the following degree programs and certificates:

        • Bachelor of Science in Environmental Crop and Soil Sciences
        • Bachelor of Science in Horticultural and Turfgrass Sciences
        • Master of Science in Crop Science
        • Master of Science in Entomology
        • Master of Science in Horticulture
        • Master of Science in Soil Science
        • Doctor of Philosophy in Plant and Soil Science
        • Graduate Certificate in Crop Protection
        • Graduate Certificate in Fibers and Textiles
        • Graduate Certificate in Horticultural Landscape Management
        • Graduate Certificate in Soil Management

Dual-Degree/Joint Programs

  • Master of Science in Crop Science / Doctor of Jurisprudence
  • Master of Science in Entomology / Doctor of Jurisprudence
  • Master of Science in Horticultural and Turfgrass Sciences / Doctor of Jurisprudence
  • Master of Science in Soil Science / Doctor of Jurisprudence

A minimum of 120 hours is required for a B.S. degree. The department also participates in the interdepartmental program leading to the Master of Agriculture degree. Students seeking a master’s or doctor’s degree in the department should consult the chairperson about their programs before enrolling for any courses. Back to Top


Undergraduate Program

The department offers majors in environmental crop and soil sciences and horticultural and turfgrass sciences. These areas of study are built on a foundation of the basic biological and physical sciences. Students will learn to use their knowledge to focus on the use of plants for food, fiber, fuel, and the aesthetic good of humankind; the sustainable use of resources in plant production; and the critical functions of soils in the environment.

Environmental crop and soil sciences includes the study of soils, plant genetics and breeding, biotechnology, molecular biology, plant physiology and biochemistry, weed and pest control, and crop management as applied to the sustainable production of field crops. Students also study how to use and manage soils wisely in both natural and human-affected environments.

Horticultural and turfgrass sciences emphasizes the application of science to the growing and use of edible plants (fruits, nuts, and vegetables), ornamental plants (annual and perennial flowers and woody plants), and turfgrasses. Students focus on the challenges and practices of genetics and breeding, propagation, biotechnology, production, management, handling and storage, marketing, and use of horticultural plants and turfgrass. A resident program and a distance program are offered requiring 120 semester hours. For the distance program, students will need to complete some of their general coursework at another institution and the last 30 semester credit hours at Texas Tech University.

Students taught in the Department of Plant and Soil Science are educated to meet the challenges of sustainable production of plants for food, fiber, fuel, and aesthetic beauty while preserving natural resources and environmental integrity. Graduates serve in a vast array of responsible positions in private industry, as well as with local, state, and federal agencies.

This department offers a choice of minors in environmental crop and soil sciences and horticultural and turfgrass sciences for students majoring outside the department. For more information on requirements for completing a minor, refer to “Selecting a Minor” in the introductory information about this college or contact the departmental chair. Students must earn a grade of C or better in all departmental courses required for graduation.

Curriculum Tables

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Graduate Program

The department offers Master of Science degrees in crop science, entomology, horticulture and soil science and the Doctor of Philosophy degree in plant and soil science. Before being recommended for admission to a master’s degree program with a major in this department, the student may be requested to provide evidence of proficiency in background for graduate work or may be required to take (without graduate credit) such undergraduate leveling courses as may be designated by the department.

 

Master’s Programs

Master of Science degree students may pursue either the thesis or nonthesis option. The thesis option (24 hours of graduate coursework plus six hours of thesis research) is designed for students who intend to pursue a Ph.D. An oral exam over the research is required for the thesis option. The nonthesis option (36 hours of graduate coursework) is considered a terminal degree. An oral exam is required during the graduating semester for the nonthesis option.

A Master of Science degree at a distance is available in both horticulture and crop science; each requires a minimum of 36 hours of graduate coursework without a thesis. Students must take the last 6 semester credit hours from Texas Tech and an oral exam is required during the graduating semester.

The department also participates in the 36-hour Master of Agriculture program. Additionally, the department participates in joint degree programs with the Law School. These unique combinations of programs allow not only for students to pursue a Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) degree but also a Master of Science degree in crop science, entomology, horticulture or soil science.

 

Doctoral Program

The department offers the Doctor of Philosophy in Plant and Soil Science with specializations in crop protection, crop science, fibers and biopolymers, horticulture, and soil science. The specialization should be chosen at the time of the preliminary examination. If the preliminary examination for admission to doctoral studies reveals weaknesses in the student’s subject matter background, the student may be required to take remedial courses designated by the graduate faculty of the department. The student’s advisory committee will make recommendations concerning language requirements and basic work in other sciences. A Ph.D. candidate in the department is required to take written and oral comprehensive qualifying examinations prepared and conducted by the graduate committee. The purpose of these examinations is to determine whether or not a candidate possesses a depth of knowledge in their area of specialization, a breadth of knowledge in supporting areas, understanding of the scientific method, and the ability to communicate knowledge in an organized and scholarly manner.

Research, teaching, and scholarship stipends are often awarded to qualified applicants. Nonresident tuition is often waived with the award. Students having this support have special responsibilities in research and/or teaching.

 

Graduate Certificate Programs

Crop Protection. The 12-hour Graduate Certificate in Crop Protection provides supplementary training and updated credentialing in the development of crop protection chemicals. Contact: Dr. Peter Dotray, 806.742.2837, peter.dotray@ttu.edu

Fibers and Textiles. The 12-hour Graduate Certificate in Fibers and Textiles provides professionals an opportunity to understand the meaning and complexity of cotton production and processing and its impact on cotton apparel, home furnishings, and industrial cotton products. Contact: Dr. Eric Hequet, 806.742.5333 Ext. 224, eric.hequet@ttu.edu

Horticultural Landscape Management. The 12-hour Graduate Certificate in Horticultural Landscape Management addresses a need in the green industry, which is one of the largest agricultural industries in Texas, to help professionals update their credentials. Industry changes in recent years have left many professionals seeking the kind of supplementary training this certificate provides. Contact: Dr. Cynthia McKenney, 806.742.2854, cynthia.mckenney@ttu.edu

Soil Management. The 12-hour Graduate Certificate in Soil Management allows potential soil scientists to obtain the required number of college credit hours in soil courses required by the Natural Resource Conservation Service and have a tangible certificate to indicate they have the requisite education. Contact: Dr. Richard Zartman, 806.742.1626, richard.zartman@ttu.eduBack to Top

 

Course Descriptions

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Faculty

Click here to view alphabetical listing of all TTU faculty and their academic credentials.

Thomas L. Thompson, Ph.D., Chairperson

Bayer CropScience Regents’ Endowed Professor: Wilkins
B.L. Allen Endowed Chair for Pedology: Hudnall
J.A. Love Chair: Thompson
Leidigh Professor: Zartman
Piper Professor: Hopper
Rockwell Endowed Chair: Auld
Thornton Chair and Horn Professor: V. Allen
Professors: Bednarz, Bronson, Dotray, Hellman, Maas, Thorvilson
Associate Professors: M. Burow, Hequet, McKenney, Montague, Parajulee, Wright, Xu
Assistant Professors: Abidi, Henry, Moore-Kucera, Nansen, Sharma, Trela, Woodward
Research Professor: Ethridge
Instructor: Bates
Adjunct Faculty: Acosta-Martinez,R. Allen, Arioli, Baughman, Boman, Bouton, Brashears, Burke,
G. Burow, Calhoun, Cantrell, Cosby-Horton, Dever, Franks, French-Monar, Gannaway, Gitz, Hopkins, Keeling, Kerns, Lascano, Mahan, Mauget, Maunder, McMichael, Payton, Peterson, Porter, Rush, Sheetz, Stout, Trolinder, Trostle, Upchurch, Velten, Wallace, Wanjura, Wheeler, ZobeckBack to Top

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