The Major

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 Area of Focus. Independent studies and internships are available, providing students with the opportunity to integrate laboratory and field work into their curriculum.

Core Requirements (Total:15 credits)
STOCKSCH 105 Soils 
STOCKSCH 108 Introductory Botany
STOCKSCH 384 Introductory Plant Physiology
STOCKSCH 505 General Plant Pathology

Major Requirements (Total: 56-60 credits)
Biological Science (13 credits)
BIOLOGY 151 Introductory Biology I
BIOLOGY 152 Introductory Biology II
BIOLOGY 283 General Genetics
BIOLOGY 285 Cellular & Molecular Biology

Chemistry (8 credits)
CHEM 111 and CHEM 112

Ecosystems Studies - one of the following (3-4 credits):
BIOLOGY 287 Introductory Ecology
ENVIRSCI 101 Introduction to Environmental Sciences
ENVIRSCI 214 Ecosystems, Biodiversity and Global Change
NRC 100 Environment and Society

General Science - 6 credits from the following:
BIOCHEM 420 Elementary Biochemistry
CHEM 261 Organic Chemistry
CHEM 262 Organic Chemistry
MICROBIO 310 General Microbiology
MICROBIO 312 Microbiology Lab
PHYSICS 131/151 Introductory Physics I/General Physics I
PHYSICS 132/152 Introductory Physics II/General Physics II

Integrative Experience
NATSCI 494I Global Issues in Applied Biology

Junior Year Writing (3 crecits)
NATSCI 387 CNS Junior Writing

Mathematics, Statistics and Reasoning—two semesters in mathematics, statistics and/or analytic reasoning (6-8 credits).

Experimental Techniques Course or Independent Study - 2-4 credits from the following:
BIOLOGY 383H Gene and Genome Analysis
CHEM 264 Organic Lab II
CHEM 269 Organic Chemistry Lab
NRC 585 Introduction to GIS
MICROBIO 385 Introduction to Biotechnology Laboratory

Restricted Electives in Horticultural Science, Plant Biotechnology, Plant Pathology, or Soil Science (minimum 12 credits at or above 300 level with 6 credits minimum at 500 level)