Getting Started (Majors Guide)

College: CNS

 (Revised Spring 2017)

Stockbridge School of Agriculture

How to Explore/Get Started in the Major

Suggested General Education Courses

Under the new guidelines students are still required to take two courses, one in U.S. Diversity and one in Global Diversity. Students entering in Fall 2018 are expected to take one of these diversity courses, either U.S. or Global, in their first year on campus.  For Fall 2018 Registration, look for courses with DU (formerly U) and DG (formerly G) to help students stay on track.  Any course labled DU will satisfy the requirement for a U.S. diversity course and any course labeled DG will satisfy the the requirement for Global diversity course. Course planning guidelines, including guidelines for students, are available at www.umass.edu/gened.

RES-ECON 102 (SB), RES-ECON 121 (SBDG), NRC 100 (SI) and ENVIRSCI 101 (BS).

Suggested Major and Pre-requistie Courses

Required prerequisites, including recommended sequence:

  • ENGLWRIT 112 (CW)
  • STOCKSCH 108 – Intro Botany (Fall Semester)
  • STOCKSCH 105 – Soil Science (Spring Semester)
  • An Ecosystems course: NRC 100 (SI), ENVIRSCI 101 (BS) or STOCKSCH 115 (SI)
  • MATH 104 (R1) – Note: An R1 waiver does not satisfy this requirement.
    Students must take MATH 101 & 102 if their MPE score indicates that they are not ready for 104.
    MATH 127 (R2) or STATIS 111 (R2) recommended for students who have competed MATH 104

For students interested in the business management track:

  • CHEM 110 or CHEM 111 (Note: CHEM 110 has no math prerequisites)

For students interested in going to graduate school:

  • CHEM 111 and CHEM 112 (Note: To enroll in these courses, students should have an MPE score of 20+ or have completed MATH 104 or MATH 101-102 or the equivalent).
Suggested Electives:     STOCKSCH 101 Insect & Related Forms
    STOCKSCH 107 Turf Insects
    STOCKSCH 111 Horticultural Plant Pathology
    STOCKSCH 112 Turf Pathology

How to Declare the Major

Students should see the Chief Undergradutae Advisor as soon as possible.

Summary of Requirements for the Major

Minimum total # or range of credits required: 78-85

  • Core Requirements (24-27 cr.):
    The courses listed above under “required prerequisites.”
  • Turfgrass Science & Management Requirements (26-28 cr.)
    Select courses in turf culture, plant disease, insect and weed biology, plant physiology, plant nutrition and soil fertility, with approval of the Program Coordinator.
  • Turfgrass Science and Management Restricted Electives (28-30 cr.)
    Select additional courses from areas like business management and basic plant and soil sciences, with approval of the Program Coordinator.

Is there a minor? If so what are the requirements?
No

For further information, contact:
Professor Scott Ebdon, Chief Undergraduate Advisor
415 Paige Lab; (413) 545-2506
sebdon@umass.edu
website: www.people.umass.edu/sebdon/