Bachelor of Science in Plant and Soil Science
The Bachelor of Science in Plant and Soil Science is a platform for successful careers
in agronomic crops, soils, horticulture, entomology and other related fields.
A degree in Plant and Soil Science lets you turn a love of plants and the environment
into a lucrative career. This degree program has an emphasis on environmental qualities
and relationships of air, soil, water, and plants along with focus on environmental
benefits, proper management practices, and sustainability. Students will investigate
ways to improve crop response to environmental conditions, improve efficiency of resource
use for crops, reduce use of water resources, evaluate productivity and efficiency
of cropping systems, and conserve soil and water for future generations.
With a degree in Plant and Soil Science, students may focus on their desired concentration
area including: Crop Science, Horticulture (available online), Horticulture and Turfgrass,
Soil and Water, and Viticulture and Enology. The Crop Science concentration focuses
students primarily on careers in row crop production and plant response to the environment
while the Soil and Water emphasis identifies the physical and chemical properties
of our natural resources leading to their best management practices. The Horticulture
and Turfgrass Science concentration focuses on production and utilization of horticulture
commodities preparing students for careers involving landscape plants, fruits, vegetables,
ornamental crops and turfgrass. Students learn about plant production and environmental
response in both greenhouse and field environments including golf courses. The Viticulture
and Enology concentration prepares a student for vineyard management and wine production
careers. Finally, our Local Food and Wine Production concentration allows those interested
in the farm to table movement to learn more about sustainable production of fruits
and vegetables and basic wine knowledge.
No matter which concentration area you choose, the opportunities and learning experiences
are endless with a degree in Plant and Soil Science. If you are interested in environmental
consulting, urban landscape planning, plant breeding, greenhouse crop production,
owning a nursery, managing a farm, installing interior plantscapes, working as a crop
insurance, managing a botanical garden or operating a commercial orchard, a degree
in Plant and Soil Science will provide the foundation to a successful career.
The opportunities for our graduates are endless! Manage golf courses and athletic
fields. Own your own nursery. Provide environmental consulting. Develop shade-tolerant
strains of grass. Design environmental plantings for urban areas. Manage a commercial
orchard, greenhouse, or botanical garden. Design, install and maintain Interiorscapes.
Work as a farm manager, crop breeder, or crop insurance agent. Research agents focusing
on new techniques, technologies, and resistances in plants. The list could go on and
on. Contact our Communications and Recruiting Coordinator today!
The PLSS B.S. degree plan is offered with several areas of concentration:
MINIMUM HOURS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION – 120 HOURS
To be eligible for graduation, all undergraduate students majoring in the Department
of Plant and Soil Science (PSS) must have a minimum 2.0 GPA in PSS courses.
All undergraduate students will be advised prior to registration
If you are interested in a degree plan, visit our How to apply page.
For rotation of courses, visit our Course Rotation page.
For more information on our advisors, etc. visit our Contact Us page.
While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy in reporting courses, policies
and other statements, the University reserves the right to make changes at any time
without notice.
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