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The Department of Plant, Soil and Insect Sciences offers several undergraduate program options including a major in Plant, Soil and Insect Sciences, as well as minors in Entomology, Plant Pathology, and Plant and Soil Sciences. Prospective students who already have a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field may pursue a Postgraduate Second Bachelor’s degree within this program.

The undergraduate curriculum in Plant, Soil and Insect Sciences has been designed with the goal of allowing students to tailor their course work to best reflect individual academic interests and career objectives. The major encompasses a broad range of related disciplines dealing with applied biology and the environment in general. Programs of study include Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Horticulture, Sustainable Food and Farming, and Turfgrass Science and Management.

Students begin their studies with introductory classes in the major and with General Education courses required of all university students. These initial courses, which include biology, chemistry, ecology, and mathematics, form the foundation for more advanced study in the major. The exact sequence of courses is determined by the student’s selection of an Area of Concentration. Independent studies and internships are available under each of the concentrations, providing students with the opportunity to integrate laboratory and field work into their curriculum.

All concentrations in the major share a common core of discipline areas.

Biological Science—two semesters of course work including laboratories in introductory biology, botany and/or soil science.

Ecosystems Studies—a course in the fundamentals of ecosystem ecology.

Mathematics, Statistics and Reasoning—two semesters in mathematics, statistics and/or analytic reasoning.

Chemistry—a minimum of one semester of introductory chemistry with laboratory.

Writing—College Writing (taken freshman year) as well as Junior Year Writing.

Total Departmental Course Requirements
Majors complete a minimum of 30 course credits taken within the Department of Plant, Soil, and Insect Sciences. Specific course requirements vary by Concentration Area.