Undergraduate Programs

Undergraduate majors offered within the Department of Plant Sciences leading to a bachelor's degree include the following:

  • Biotechnology
  • International Agricultural Development
  • Plant Sciences - We offer six tracks within this major:
    • Plant Breeding, Genetics & Genomics: Seek and create new varieties of plants
    • Crop Production & Agroecology: Design sustainable and resilient crop production systems
    • Plant Informatics, Sensing & Data: Use technology to model and monitor plant growth
    • Environmental Horticulture & Urban Landscapes: Develop plants that give us beauty, shade and connection
    • Ecological Management & Restoration: Balance land uses and conservation goals
    • Crop Quality & Safety: Provide safe, nutritious, affordable and flavorful food for all people
  • Environmental Horticulture and Urban Forestry (As of Fall 2022, this major is now a track within the Plant Sciences major)
  • Ecological Management & Restoration (As of Fall 2022, this major is now a track within the Plant Sciences major)

Undergraduate minors:

Why select a major or minor in our department?

  • The work of plant scientists embraces both agriculture and environmental science, key priorities for research now and in the coming decades.
  • The world needs people who can translate and apply agricultural technology to improve food production, nutrition, marketing, and health in less technically advanced countries.
  • Studying plants helps us understand our impact on the ecosystem, create strategies for feeding a growing population, and even develop new cures for diseases.
  • With the advent of modern biotechnology, plants are being used to clean our land and air and produce industrial products, designer molecules, biopharmaceuticals and energy.
  • Plants are also being used to produce biodegradable plastics, new healthier sugars and anti-cancer drugs.
  • The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects faster than average job growth rate (2008-2018).